CFL free agency tracker: These pending Rider free agents signed elsewhere on day 1 of free agency

A Saskatchewan Roughriders helmet sits on the field during the first day of spring training main camp in Saskatoon, Sask., on Sunday, May 14, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

The Saskatchewan Roughriders had 33 players with expiring contracts at the end of the 2024. 15 of them remained unsigned when the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) free agency period opened Tuesday at 11 a.m. CT.

As of Tuesday afternoon, six of those pending free agents signed with other teams across the league. With a pair of other players linked to teams without official contracts.

According to TSN’s Farhan Lalji, Anthony Lanier II signed with the Toronto Argonauts at about 3 p.m. Saskatchewan time.

However, the Argos have yet to announce the trade officially.

Two other former Rider defensive players have traded their green for orange, signing with the B.C. Lions.

The Lions announced Tuesday the signing of free agent National linebacker Adam Auclair. The Lions also announced they have agreed to a two-year contract with American free agent defensive Deontai Williams.

Williams, a Jacksonville, Fla. product, suited up in 27 games over the last two seasons with the Roughriders while recording 90 defensive tackles, six special teams stops, three interceptions, one fumble recovery and a forced fumble.

Auclair appeared in 15 regular season games with 53 total tackles (37 defence, 16 special teams) and a career-high three interceptions.

From Saint-Georges, Que., Auclair was selected sixth overall by Ottawa in the 2020 CFL Draft and recorded 149 total tackles (119 defence, 30 special teams), a pair of sacks and a forced fumble in 42 contests from 2021-23.

Defensive lineman Christian Albright, OL Peter Godber and DB Amari Henderson all signed with the Ottawa Redblacks.

Meanwhile, former Rider receiver Jerreth Sterns has signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, the team announced Tuesday.

Sterns finished 2024 with 39 catches for 492 yards and two touchdowns and in 23 games over two years with the Roughriders had 83 receptions for 941 yards and three touchdowns.

Prior to his two seasons with Saskatchewan, he had NFL stints in Tampa Bay and with the Los Angeles Rams.

And 3 Down Nation’s Justin Dunk reported on Feb. 9 QB Shae Patterson will also be wearing blue and gold in 2025 with Winnipeg.

The team has not officially announced that signing as of Tuesday evening.

Pending Rider free agents still without a contract include RB Frankie Hickson, DB Godfrey Onyeka and Canadian OL Ryan Sceviour.

You can find the full list of free agents here.

Who the Riders did sign

It was a relatively quiet first day of CFL free agency from the Green and White as General Manager Jeremy O’Day signed just two players.

O’Day had previously said he wished to not have the need to be active through the free agency period.

“You don’t exactly want to be in a situation where you have to be super active in free agency” he said on Jan. 14. “You really want to get your core guys in-house and then retain them so they can build that continuity together.”

• A juggling act’: Riders’ GM still trying to lock up core ahead of CFL free agency'

However, some moves were still made Tuesday.

The team beefed up their offensive line, signing Canadian Phillippe Gagnon.

The L’Ancienne-Lorette, Que. product was selected by the Alouettes in the first round, second overall, of the 2016 CFL Draft. Since then, Gagnon has played 99 regular season games and made 75 starts in eight seasons in the CFL.

Earlier in the afternoon, the Green and White added depth to their quarterback group, signing last season’s league touchdown leader Tommy Stevens.

Stevens, 28, joins the Roughriders after three seasons with the Calgary Stampeders. He appeared in 52 games, excelling as a short yardage quarterback while 685 rushing yards on 160 carries and scoring 25 touchdowns.

In 2024, he was utilized in 31 third-and-short situations and successfully converted on 30 of those assignments. The 30 conversions consisted of 26 rushing first downs, three touchdown runs and a 24-yard completion. Finishing the campaign with 10 TDs on the ground.

Prior to playing in the CFL, Stevens was selected by the New Orleans Saints in the seventh round, 240th overall, in the 2020 NFL Draft.

He also has spent time with the Carolina Panthers and New York Giants after a four-year collegiate career at Mississippi State and Penn State.

The Core

Leading up to free agency, the Roughriders have had a busy offseason.

O’Day was able to lock up much of that core before the free agency period opened Tuesday morning.

Signing veteran and two-time Grey Cup champion defensive lineman Micah Johnson to an extension Feb. 7.

• Veteran DL Micah Johnson signs extension with Roughriders

Linebacker Jameer Thurman was signed to a two-year extension back on Jan. 13.

In the secondary, DBs Marcus Sayles and 2024 CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player Rolan Milligan Jr. are both locked in for next season.

Milligan Jr. signed a one-year extension which takes him through the end of the 2026 CFL season at the end of January.

• Riders resign linebacker Jameer Thurman to 2-year extension
• Roughriders re-sign DB Marcus Sayles
• Roughriders extend top DB Rolan Milligan Jr. through 2026 season

Offence

On the offensive side of the ball, O’Day was busy at the pivot position.

Starting quarterback Trevor Harris was one of the team’s first big extensions of the offseason. Being signed at the beginning of December to a one-year contract.

The Riders also traded for former Calgary Stampeder Jake Maier just before Christmas and signing him to a contract less than three weeks later.

At the receiver position, Mitch Picton and Mario Alford each earned themselves contracts for next season with the Riders.

• Roughriders re-sign veteran quarterback Trevor Harris
• Roughriders sign newly acquired QB Jake Maier
• Regina product Mitch Picton signs extension with Riders