As CFL Free Agency looms, Saskatchewan Roughriders General Manager Jeremy O`Day is hoping to address some holes in the lineup from the 2019 season.
Some of the more notable free agents include linebackers Solomon Elimimian, Cam Judge, Otha Foster, and Deon Lacey, as well as kicker Brett Lauther, punter Jon Ryan and defensive end Charleston Hughes.
Some players are still looking for a shot at the NFL, including Judge and Lauther.
O’Day says Lauther is continuing to pursue any opportunity he can get in the NFL.
“We don’t want to push our players to sign back with us unless they’re committed with both feet, and right now Brett really wants to see (his NFL opportunities) through,” O’Day said. “He’s got some plans on how he’s going to approach that, and I don’t want to speak for him but we’ll continue to monitor that and talk to him.”
Judge is still getting workout offers according to O’Day.
O’Day also says activity on the free agent market will largely depend on what happens with current players.
“We have offers to a couple of our guys still that are on the table, and we’re waiting for them to decide whether they want to come back to our team or not,” O’Day said. “If those don’t happen, then we could be a little more active than we expect.”
Long-time CFL veterans who previously played for the Rider could also find themselves on another team.
O’Day says he remains uncertain whether or not both Elimimian and Hughes will be back.
“Just like any other year, we’re going to get some of our players back, and every year we’re not going to get all of our free agents back,” O’Day said. “I think in some cases, you wish you could just bring the team back from where you were, but that’s not the reality of the environment that we’re in, and we have to make some decisions.”
The negotiation window for free agents to discuss terms with other teams opens on Sunday. CFL Free Agency opens on February 9th.
