The Saskatchewan Roughriders turned up the intensity on Day 2 of training camp in Saskatoon. Still, much of the spotlight belonged to the energy and vision of new defensive coordinator Joshua Bell.
The Riders' defence flashed throughout Monday’s workout at Griffiths Stadium, highlighted by an interception from Rolan Milligan Jr., as Bell continued to put his stamp on a unit expected to be among the league’s best once again.
Milligan provided one of the top plays of the day when he broke from his halfback spot, elevated over both a receiver and fellow defender and hauled in a Trevor Harris pass deep downfield. Offensively, rookie quarterback Brayden Schager connected with veteran receiver KeeSean Johnson for a 35-yard touchdown strike after Johnson got behind the secondary.
But the story around camp continues to be the evolution of Saskatchewan’s defence under Bell, who was promoted to defensive coordinator after serving as defensive backs coach and pass game coordinator in 2024.
Head coach Corey Mace said Bell’s personality and creativity are already making an impact.
“Josh and I have been together since 2014, so we’ve seen a lot of football together,” Mace said. “While we see a lot of the same, there’s a bunch we see differently. I’m excited to see that. It’s been looking pretty good so far, and it’s only going to grow.”
Mace believes Bell’s enthusiasm naturally spreads throughout the locker room.
“There’s going to be a lot of juice out there, man,” Mace said. “He’s constantly, he’s always that, and I think the players will mimic that.”
Bell’s coaching style has already earned respect from veterans across the defence. Cornerback Marcus Sayles, entering his third season in Saskatchewan and eighth in the CFL, said Bell brings a new edge to the group.
“I’m happy for him,” Sayles said. “He’s going to bring a little bit of a different type of spice to this game. He has great communication with everybody. He has a great vibe, a great energy that he brings to the team, and he’s going to definitely show what he can do this year.”
Sayles added that Bell’s positivity and authenticity are what resonate most with players.
“He speaks so much life into everybody,” Sayles said. “Even when we’re on the field, he shows so much energy, and it just bounces off every single body.”
Bell, meanwhile, downplayed the significance of his new title, joking that his biggest change is simply having “a Madden controller” on game days.
The former CFL and Super Bowl champion said Saskatchewan’s defensive success will continue to come from collaboration rather than one voice calling every shot.
“What we do, we do as a brain trust,” Bell said. “Coach Travis Brown is going to call some plays. Coach Micah Johnson is going to call some plays. Coach Jay Linnen is going to call some plays. In that headset on game day, it’s a brain trust.”
Bell also stressed the importance of relationships and accountability inside the defensive room.
“It’s not really the Xs and Os ever, it’s the Jims and the Joes,” Bell said. “If coaches can always sit in that fact and understand that, it’s a relationship we’re all linked together regardless of our titles.”
Now Bell wants even more from a veteran group coming off a Grey Cup championship season.
“You must set a goal higher,” Bell said. “You can’t be afraid of setting a goal for greatness and to have the attempt to dominate every single opponent.”
Bell’s confidence in the personnel around him was evident throughout his media session, as he praised the returning veterans and new additions alike.
“These guys are amazing,” Bell said. “The old vets that are back and returning guys, they’ve come in better. They’ve worked their butts off in the offseason.”
The Riders were without several players during Monday’s session, including defensive linemen Caleb Sanders, Benoit Marion and Marcus Haynes, along with running back Thomas Bertrand-Hudon. Linebacker Ryder Varga remains on the six-game injured list.
Saskatchewan opens its preseason schedule next Monday in Calgary, while training camp competition continues to ramp up in Saskatoon.
