CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

Throw Long Bannatyne · March 03, 2026, 04:24:50 PM

https://3downnation.com/2026/03/02/apparent-fire-burns-at-mcmahon-stadium-home-of-calgary-stampeders/

Too bad they stopped it.

theaardvark · March 03, 2026, 06:54:12 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 03, 2026, 04:24:50 PMhttps://3downnation.com/2026/03/02/apparent-fire-burns-at-mcmahon-stadium-home-of-calgary-stampeders/

Too bad they stopped it.

Yeah, a complete destruction would have meant a rebuild from scratch...

Reminds me of the story about the Canadian furniture store that used to burn down every few years... one winter, the owner was in Florida on the beach, and struck up a conversation with an American businessman next to him. Turns out they are both in furniture, and are both on vacation while their businesses are being rebuilt.

The Canadian mentioned his business had burned down and asked how the American's business was destroyed, and he said that a tornado had swept through town. The Canadian looked at him and said "That's interesting, how do you start a tornado?"

Throw Long Bannatyne · March 05, 2026, 03:40:37 PM

Couple more retirements, shame nobody gave Sean Thomas Erlington a chance to continue his career as he worked hard to upgrade his abilities in the last few years. Mauldin might have changed his mind about joining the UFL after examining the pay package offered.

https://3downnation.com/2026/03/04/sean-thomas-erlington-retires-after-eight-cfl-seasons/

https://3downnation.com/2026/03/04/cfl-award-winner-lorenzo-mauldin-iv-announces-retirement-after-joining-ufl/

Tecno · March 06, 2026, 12:43:19 AM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 05, 2026, 03:40:37 PMMauldin might have changed his mind about joining the UFL after examining the pay package offered.

And the facilities... and the low fan attendance... and the lack of perks (family stuff, etc)...

People bad mouth the CFL but in some ways they have it really cush, at least compared to the Lame Leagues.

GOLDMEMBER · March 07, 2026, 04:00:16 PM

What a **** box. Those fans deserve a decent stadium.

Blue In BC · March 07, 2026, 04:47:43 PM

CFL free agent camp must be happening this week after combine completes. Should also see tryout camps starting by teams across the league to load up on TC candidates.

I'd guess will see another 15 - 20 players added at least briefly before rookie camps. A few currently on the roster may be released / decide not to report as others are added.

Throw Long Bannatyne · March 10, 2026, 04:37:04 PM

Dee Alford doing well.

https://3downnation.com/2026/03/09/buffalo-bills-agree-to-terms-with-former-cfl-player-dee-alford-report/

As is former Bison David Onyemata being paid $10.5 million with the NY Jets for one season to play D-line!

https://3downnation.com/2026/03/09/former-manitoba-star-david-onyemata-agrees-to-terms-with-new-york-jets-report/

ModAdmin · March 17, 2026, 03:09:05 AM

Tom Brown Passes Away at Age 89

One of the truly great BC Lions passes away. Condolences to his family.

Blue In BC · March 20, 2026, 01:19:29 PM

Returner Tyreik McCallister released in the UFL yhid errk. I wonder if we might consider signing him as depth for our returner? There is still a chance that Vaval is in the competition to start at CB. I don't think that happens but injuries in TC happen and he may want that role.

There are other rookies that might win a role as the back up returner, but having a CFL experienced player wouldn't hurt. IIRC he was on our radar in the past.

McCallister might have no interest without a clear chance of winning that role.

McAllister had a breakout season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2023, leading the league in kickoff return average and all-purpose yards. He recorded 13 carries for 52 yards, 27 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns, 41 kickoff returns for an average of 1,037 yards, 56 punt returns for an average of 602 yards, and seven missed field goal returns for 408 yards and one score.

Throw Long Bannatyne · March 20, 2026, 05:27:36 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on March 20, 2026, 01:19:29 PMReturner Tyreik McCallister released in the UFL yhid errk. I wonder if we might consider signing him as depth for our returner? There is still a chance that Vaval is in the competition to start at CB. I don't think that happens but injuries in TC happen and he may want that role.

There are other rookies that might win a role as the back up returner, but having a CFL experienced player wouldn't hurt. IIRC he was on our radar in the past.

McCallister might have no interest without a clear chance of winning that role.

McAllister had a breakout season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2023, leading the league in kickoff return average and all-purpose yards. He recorded 13 carries for 52 yards, 27 receptions for 364 yards and two touchdowns, 41 kickoff returns for an average of 1,037 yards, 56 punt returns for an average of 602 yards, and seven missed field goal returns for 408 yards and one score.

Those are very good numbers, sadly I remember his name but not his performance. I'm sure multiple CFL teams will be interested in signing him, not the Bombers but maybe the Ti-Cats.

Blue In BC · March 20, 2026, 05:35:11 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 20, 2026, 05:27:36 PMThose are very good numbers, sadly I remember his name but not his performance. I'm sure multiple CFL teams will be interested in signing him, not the Bombers but maybe the Ti-Cats.

I do remember his performance and it was very good. 2023 is quite recent and I'm not aware of any new injuries that may be limiting. He may not have interest in the CFL quite yet. OTOH, getting release by the UFL after losing NFL opportunities doesn't leave him many options.

He could re-surface somewhere. As far as the Bombers go they may have already a back up rookie returner targeted on the roster on an ELC.

I'm only suggesting it might be worth a call to his agent but could understand it falling flat.

Throw Long Bannatyne · March 20, 2026, 06:59:01 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on March 20, 2026, 05:35:11 PMI do remember his performance and it was very good. 2023 is quite recent and I'm not aware of any new injuries that may be limiting. He may not have interest in the CFL quite yet. OTOH, getting release by the UFL after losing NFL opportunities doesn't leave him many options.

He could re-surface somewhere. As far as the Bombers go they may have already a back up rookie returner targeted on the roster on an ELC.

I'm only suggesting it might be worth a call to his agent but could understand it falling flat.

On further investigation it appears he was available for much of last season after being dumped by the Raiders and the NY Jets, suggesting there may be a personality issue or a salary demand that stopped the Ti-Cats from bringing him back.

Blue In BC · March 20, 2026, 07:34:31 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 20, 2026, 06:59:01 PMOn further investigation it appears he was available for much of last season after being dumped by the Raiders and the NY Jets, suggesting there may be a personality issue or a salary demand that stopped the Ti-Cats from bringing him back.

Possibly. He may have tried to wait out another call from the NFL. Even NFL PR money is better than UFL or CFL ELC contracts.

However, your point is also valid and would be the 1st hurdle to answer about FIFO.

We'll have some rookie returners as back ups that will end up on the PR. Not a huge concern in adding a veteran. We did add Logan last year but Vaval was unproven at that point. Now he's the 1st choice.