CFL (Non-Bombers) off-season news

[Jesse]

Hypothetically, who has the $ to pay Brady? Montreal and BC, I'd say no. The Riders have a ton of big name guys to try to sign. Hamilton has some bigger contracts.

Most teams have 20+ free agents. Everyone has the money.

I'd say Montreal has probably taken themselves out of the running, but at least 2 teams thought they had a chance last year and put in bigger bids than ours. No reason to think it wont happen again.

[Blue In BC]

Hypothetically, who has the $ to pay Brady? Montreal and BC, I'd say no. The Riders have a ton of big name guys to try to sign. Hamilton has some bigger contracts.

Not only that, which team will want that kind of balance between run and pass offence? It's our bread and butter, but Rourke, VAJ, Alexander, BLM are pass oriented.

The reality is where does any team spend money to improve the roster. Money is also spent to retain top players but it also has to find ways to improve other areas.

I don't expect our entire 2025 roster to return or just assume we spend the extra $400K in those salaries. Much has been said about where we should replace players as well as where should we retain players.

Most retention and decisions happens before free agency hits. As that falls into place, we see some additions during free agency.

All of us can name a dozen players we'd like to add beyond our own roster. We'll land some but who or how much it costs is TBD.

[blue_or_die]

My tinfoil hat theory is that the apparent OC search is being driven to appease Brady into signing/making here a more attractive place to sign.

IMO I felt Brady was underutilized under Hogan all year and it was one of my primary pain points with Hogan. Brady will always say he's not getting the ball often enough.

Even if my hunch isn't true, that effort and willingness to adjust and get better should go a ways for him and other FAs in general.

[VictorRomano]

IMO I felt Brady was underutilized under Hogan all year and it was one of my primary pain points with Hogan. Brady will always say he's not getting the ball often enough.

When you're arguably the best RB in the entire league and getting less than 15 touches in 6 out of 18 games (and 3 with less than 10 touches) in 2025, I'd be pissed, too.  Brady was criminally underused by Hogan as a weapon in 2025, and that alone should be enough to get Hogan fired.

[Blue In BC]

T. Harris re-signs a 1 year extension in Regina. Retirement held off for at least another year.

In Toronto Chad Kelly has been named the starter in 2026 for the Argos. I'd take that to mean Arbuckle will move on but no teams looking for a new # 1 so who offers the most for a #2? Since Kelly's SMS was off the books on 6 game IR, I don't think they can afford to keep Arbuckle IMO.