Decisions to be made across the CFL with pending free agents

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With 244 players from across the Canadian Football League on expiring contracts early next year, CFL teams will have plenty of decisions when it comes to how they want to shape their rosters in 2025.

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While dozens of players will be re-signed by their clubs before free agency opens on Feb. 11, many will hit the open market and field bids from across the league.

Here’s a team-by-team look at some of the big-name free agents on each team going West to East:

B.C. Lions

Now that the B.C. Lions have sorted out their quarterback situation by trading Vernon Adams Jr., the Lions will focus on retaining a number of pending free agents including defensive lineman Mathieu Betts, receiver Justin McInnis and defensive backs Garry Peters and T.J. Lee.

The Lions, who have 29 total free agents, might also consider keeping offensive linemen Sukh Chung, Kent Perkins and Michael Couture, along with running back William Stanback to help out starting quarterback Nathan Rourke in 2025.

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Calgary Stampeders

In Calgary, after missing the playoffs for the first time in 20 years, the Stampeders have already solidified their quarterback situation by acquiring Adams from the Lions. Calgary will now have to decide if either Jake Maier or Tommy Stevens are worth offering contracts as a backup alongside former NFLer P.J. Walker, who was recently signed.

Running backs Dedrick Mills and Peyton Logan are also among the 30 total players without contracts for next season along with linebacker Micah Awe and defensive backs Brandon Dozier and Tre Roberson.

Edmonton Elks

In Edmonton, the Elks — who have 30 pending free agents — have an important decision to make when it comes to their quarterback room as Tre Ford and McLeod Bethel-Thompson are both pending free agents. Edmonton’s top receiver Eugene Lewis and return specialist/running back Javon Leake are also set to hit the open market, along with linebacker Nyles Morgan and safety Loucheiz Purifoy.

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Saskatchewan Roughriders

There’s an obvious hole in the Roughriders lineup that will need to be sorted out as quarterback Trevor Harris and backup Shea Patterson are both set to become free agents. That will be the biggest decision the Green and White will make this off-season and it will come down to if they think Harris is the best available option for 2025 or if there are other enticing names on the open market.

With the Riders having 32 total players set to become free agents, many decisions will need to be made on the defensive side of the ball as linebacker Jameer Thurman, defensive back Marcus Sayles and safety Nelson Lokombo are all free agents along with eight defensive linemen including Micah Johnson, Bryan Cox Jr., Malik Carney and Miles Brown.

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On the other side of the ball, aside from the quarterbacks, the Riders will have decisions to make when it comes to pending free agents including centre Peter Godber, tackle Trevon Tate, guard Ryan Sceviour, receiver Mitch Picton and return specialist Mario Alford.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Winnipeg has their quarterback situation solidified as Zach Collaros is under contract for 2025 but behind him, Chris Streveler is one of 27 free agents for the Blue Bombers, alongside receivers in Kenny Lawler and Dalton Schoen.

The Blue Bombers also have some other big names without contacts including offensive linemen Patrick Neufeld and Stanley Bryant, defensive end Willie Jefferson, linebacker Adam Bighill and defensive back Tyrell Ford.

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Hamilton Tiger-Cats

In Hamilton, there aren’t a ton of big names without deals but among the 17 pending free agents are running back James Butler, receiver Steven Dunbar Jr., defensive backs Richard Leonard and Jonathan Moxey, defensive lineman Nick Usher and offensive lineman David Beard.

Toronto Argonauts

The defending Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts have 24 pending free agents including a few key defensive pieces not under contract for next season like linebacker Wynton McManis, defensive backs DaShaun Amos and Royce Metchie and defensive lineman Jake Ceresna. On the offensive side of the ball, receivers Damonte Coxie and Janarion Grant are set to hit the open market along with running back Ka’Deem Carey. Backup quarterback and Grey Cup MVP Nick Arbuckle is also without a deal for 2025 as the Argos will roll with Chad Kelly when he returns from his leg injury.

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Ottawa Redblacks

In Ottawa, Dru Brown is expected to be the starting quarterback next season leaving the Redblacks to decide if Dustin Crum or Jeremiah Masoli are worth offering extensions as a backup. Receivers Justin Hardy, DeVonte Dedmon and Jaelon Acklin are also among the 31 pending free agents along with defensive lineman Lorenzo Mauldin IV, linebacker Adarius Pickett and defensive backs Deandre Lamont, Alijah McGhee and Damon Webb.

Montreal Alouettes

And in Montreal, while quarterback Cody Fajardo is still under contract, the Alouettes will either need to move him, release him or renegotiate his deal as Davis Alexander has been signed to an extension. The Alouettes also have some decisions with their 24 pending free agents including running back Walter Fletcher, receiver Kaion Julien-Grant and defensive backs Kabion Ento and Wesley Sutton.

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tshire@postmedia.com

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