With the 2022 season ending on a scary note, safety Mike Edem is looking to come back in 2023 and finish his career on his terms.
The ten-year veteran joined Michael Ball on the SportsCage on Wednesday as he begins his offseason workout program ahead of the new season.
On October 22, Edem was injured after a collision with Calgary Stampeders running back Dedrick Mills. He was carted off the field and taken to the hospital for precautionary reasons.
The safety said the injury was very stressful with his pregnant wife at the game.
“It was a real tough mental moment for me.”
Edem said his wife provided him with positive support while he was on the field which kept him in good spirits after the hit.
Support was overflowing for Edem after the game. He noted Riders general manager Jeremy O’Day, assistant general Kyle Carson, and his defensive backs coach, Markus Klund were among the people that visited or contacted him.
Saskatchewan wasn’t the only organization that reached out to the former Calgary Dino as he also received support from the Stampeders, with Edem calling the move a “class act. ”
Following five seasons with the Roughriders, it remains to be determined if Edem will see a sixth. With free agency beginning in three weeks, he says a lot has to be sorted out in that time.
“I think that’s what they’re going through right now is that process of just come up with a plan, executing that plan. As a player, you’re just kind of hope that you’re part of that plan. ”
This past season, Edem had 57 tackles with a pair of sacks and an interception over 17 games with the Roughriders.
With some time to reflect on what went wrong this past season in Saskatchewan, the safety said from a defensive perspective the green and white didn’t recover from the departure of defensive tackle Garrett Marino. He explained Marino absorbed double teams for players like Anthony Lanier and Pete Robertson, allowing them to experience pass-rush success at the beginning of the season.
With the Roughriders experiencing a 2-11 record following the Marino suspension, the veteran makes a compelling case.
Three months after his injury, the safety is ready to get back on the gridiron and has deemed himself good to go.
“I’m back to 120 per cent,” Edem told Ball. He added that last winter, he was recovering from wrist surgery which led to a tough rehabilitation that affected his training. This offseason, the veteran feels more comfortable beginning his workout program.
The 33-year-old understands after spending ten seasons in the Canadian Football League that he doesn’t have that many left before the end of his career.
“I definitely got a lot left in the tank but I’m going to put a cap on it”
He said this upcoming season would likely be his last in the league.
With the safety set to become a father of a boy at the end of March, he said one of his goals this season was to get a picture of himself in his uniform with his son.
An image that would provide a highlight in the twilight of Edem’s career.
