CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[Tecno]

BLM re-signs in HAM for $100k more than last year.  Still pretty "budget" compared to Zach.

Interesting: only $40k MMM.  HAM not playing the BC cheatin' game.  In fact, I haven't heard of any team paying anywhere near the cheatin' MMM amount BC is for Rourke.  Which is strange, because everyone can use that cheat code now.  I sure wish we'd renog Zach's to move $200k of his SMS to MMM.  Last I heard Zach was only getting $50k MMM, which seems to be pretty normal for (non-BC) QBs.

And the budgety-est QB in the whole league?  T.Harris.  Takes haircuts every year so his team can sign playmakers and win.  Zach??

[Ridermania]

Riders DL Micah Johnson officially retires and will remain in Green and White as he begins the next chapter as the Club's Defensive Line Coach.

https://3downnation.com/2026/01/05/micah-johnson-retires-from-playing-in-cfl-accepts-job-as-saskatchewan-roughriders-defensive-line-coach/

[theaardvark]

Riders DL Micah Johnson officially retires and will remain in Green and White as he begins the next chapter as the Club's Defensive Line Coach.

https://3downnation.com/2026/01/05/micah-johnson-retires-from-playing-in-cfl-accepts-job-as-saskatchewan-roughriders-defensive-line-coach/

Mica Johnson vs. Jake Thomas.  Which is going to be the better DL coach?

In SSK, both the HC and DC are ex DL (Mace)

In WPR, HC is ex-DB, DC is ex-DB.

Will be an interesting matchup.

[DM83]

Works, word, publisher  still on AOL " you got mail" love Meg Ryan.
Ford and Vag can't read a defence.

I have coached both O and D. Teaching some Hugh schoolers can be done.  But a lot of it is the QB. When all poop happens taking off and running is what has led to the kids success. And it's not even actual running , the threat of running scares the Defence, but escape ability, and breaking down the Defence is the killer.
Pre snap reads and alignment tell the offence what the defence is doing.
Down and distance tendencies by practice week film study tells the defence what is likely to be called.
Identifying slow guys on defence, or punishing weak guys on defence.

Give a QB two reads, and then throw it away, or take off, and run.that all happens in about a second. So it sounds easy. Easier said than done.
Young guys or even relics like Collaros can take off, and run, to make the next amount needed for a first is short. ( dump pass to a back or a crossing pattern by receiver(s).

Enjoy them while you can. Best before dates are approaching, asap.

VAJ has gotten better. He does seem tohave  emotional breakdowns though.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Mills laying in bed at night, wondering "why couldn't I have been born in Canada?".

Surely Oullette will have to make a play for similar money...  Strange, but many/most Riderfans want him to walk if he is anything other than budget (read: similar to last deal).

Last season Oullettie was the 2nd highest paid RB at:

Hard money: $152,100
Maximum value: $162,500

Last year he actually earned his paycheque after sputtering through his first season in Sask, don't think he'll put his hand out for more.

It will be interesting to see how long Andrew Harris hangs in as a running back coach earning below $100k, restless guy like that you'd think he'd be looking for bigger fish to fry.

[Blue In BC]

Looks like Dru Brown has a new contract based on transaction activity on CFL.CA. What exactly changed we might hear over the next week or so.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Looks like Dru Brown has a new contract based on transaction activity on CFL.CA. What exactly changed we might hear over the next week or so.

He wasn't scheduled to be a FA, must be a restructuring.  Not sure they should be paying him more but can't legitimately pay him less if he's the #1 QB.

[dd]

Brady about 100k over the highest paid american, same as last year.

That's disturbing. I don't understand why we went so overboard with his salary bump. I m all for guys getting paid what they're worth but Brady isn't worth $100k more than the league rushing leader. Heck Steve Scott would be a fraction of Brady's salary and just as effective and there's tons of Steve Scott's out there looking for a chance to play professional football. Things are way out of whack on this

[bunker]

He wasn't scheduled to be a FA, must be a restructuring.  Not sure they should be paying him more but can't legitimately pay him less if he's the #1 QB.

I'm betting they are paying him less. He didn't earn his salary last year.

[Tecno]

It will be interesting to see how long Andrew Harris hangs in as a running back coach earning below $100k, restless guy like that you'd think he'd be looking for bigger fish to fry.

Pretty sure $100k is the best AH can expect going forward.  Not the brightest bulb.  That's pretty good for a dim bulb who burnt every bridge in his hometown.

I hope he gets some respect in Regina, though.  I wonder if people thank him for turning Oullette from a loser into a powerhouse, or still spit on him for having kicked their butts in blue for 8 years straight.

I'm still his greatest fan, but man did the "happy ending" rewrite turn out to be crap.

[Tecno]

Mica Johnson vs. Jake Thomas.  Which is going to be the better DL coach?

They should make a ratio for the coaches cap!      

Or how about $50k freebie extra pay outside the cap for every coach who is a NAT?  Extra bonus if they were a player in the CFL.

We'd clean up!

[Jesse]

That's disturbing. I don't understand why we went so overboard with his salary bump. I m all for guys getting paid what they're worth but Brady isn't worth $100k more than the league rushing leader. Heck Steve Scott would be a fraction of Brady's salary and just as effective and there's tons of Steve Scott's out there looking for a chance to play professional football. Things are way out of whack on this

It's mostly just the difference between a high end Canadian starter and the next closest American. And Brady is certainly one to push his salary as high as he can manage.