Winners and Losers of CFL 2025 Free Agency

Photo via The Canadian Press (Jeff McIntosh)

Paper titles are won in February. At least that’s the idea behind the annual CFL agency period. High variance player movement is a given with the typically short contracts that are signed. Teams can be remade quickly in accordance with new coaching staff or front offices.

While some of these teams aren’t losers in terms of tremendous losses, they also didn’t significantly improve their roster in the same breath. We will be evaluating each team’s ability to positively impact their roster so far in free agency.

Winner: Edmonton Elks

New general manager Ed Hervey emphatically proclaimed “I didn’t come here to waste time” in his introductory press conference on November 20, 2024, and he wasn’t kidding. The Elks made a flurry of moves to open the negotiation window. The biggest overhaul came on defense, which gave up 500 points last season and neutralized any offensive production from mattering. Thus, a defensive overhaul was put into effect.

All-star defensive back Tyrell Ford, coming off an excellent campaign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, joins his brother Tre to give the Elks a family connection on both sides of the ball. Landing next to him is Royce Metchie, coming off a stout campaign with the Toronto Argonauts. Former Elk defensive lineman Jake Ceresna returns along with Jared Brinkman to suddenly give Edmonton a formidable pass rush.  

On offense, some notable names were lost, including star receiver Eugene Lewis, and fellow pass catchers Tevin Jones and Dillon Mitchell. Canadian REC Kaion Julien-Grant signs in their place with a chance to finally have a breakout campaign. Meanwhile, the offense will see Javon Leake and Justin Rankin return to lead a lethal running game behind a fantastic offensive line. A flurry of new faces in Edmonton look to deliver the city’s first playoff berth since 2019.

Loser: Calgary Stampeders

The once proud Calgary Stampeders fell off in 2024, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2004. While head coach Dave Dickinson was able to hold onto his position, an impending hot seat meant the Stampeders needed to quickly turnaround a depleted roster. Thus far, that has failed to manifest itself in free agency.

Despite trading for All-star quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. in November, the Stampeders haven’t made any splash signings since then. A pursuit of Kenny Lawler and Eugene Lewis ultimately fell short netting them Dominique Rhymes, who’s coming off a disappointing 2024 season, and Tevin Jones from Edmonton.

Defensively the squad lost stalwart linebacker Cameron Judge while replacing him with veteran linebackers Frasier Sopik and Derrick Moncrief. A couple of pieces in the secondary were added in Damon Webb and Adrian Greene. A defense that surrendered the second most points in the league last year still has a long way to go. The roster looks to be in similar shape as last year, meaning potential choppy waters again for Calgary faithful.

Winner: Saskatchewan Roughriders

A playoff run to the Western Final marked a revival for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and positions HC Corey Mace and company to make their first Grey Cup appearance in over a decade. To do so, a productive free agency period was essential to pushing the team forward, and the Roughriders make good on that mission.

Saskatchewan will ride into the season with seasoned veteran Trevor Harris, but this time they have significant backup additions in case of injury. Jake Maier brings () starts as a notable backup after his stint in Calgary. The signing of QB Tommy Stevens, the closest thing to the CFL’s equivalent of Taysom Hill, offers a bulldozer mentality on short yardage situations and versatility for offensive coordinator Mark Mueller to play with. While the receiving corp lost Ajou Ajou to the NFL (for now), the skill positions still look to be one of the strongest aspects of the team.

The biggest swing came with the addition of NFL DB Tevaughn Campbell, who at 31 brings a wealth of experience to a standout defensive unit. Fellow NFL veteran Shane Ray slides on the defensive line as well as Mike Rose who transfers over from Calgary. Another year of Mace’s scheme looks to be even more lethal in 2025.

Loser: Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Blue Bombers have been on a mission to complete their Grey Cup dynasty, once again falling short in 2024. As father time waits to collect on Hall of Fame veteran players, the Bombers were dealt significant losses in free agency.

Gone are key pass catchers in Kenny Lawler, Drew Wolitarsky, and Ontaria Wilson (New York Jets). Wideout Dillon Mitchell comes in with the hopes of living up to his unfulfilled potential in Edmonton. Dalton Schoen will come back from a torn ACL last Summer.

Losing an integral piece in Tyrell Ford was surprising considering his outstanding 2024. Ford anchored an young defensive unit that found their groove down the stretch. The loss of the core players stand out in this period for the Blue Bombers, who must scramble to get significant contributions from newcomers if they intend to make a sixth straight run to the Grey Cup.

Winner: Hamilton Tiger-cats

QB Bo Levil Mitchell put together his best productivity in years, throwing for over 5,000 passing yards and nearly going home with his third Most Outstanding Player trophy. Yet, the Tiger-cats were not content with staying pat on Mitchell’s available weaponry.

Hamilton made one of the most noteworthys signings with the acquisition of receiver Kenny Lawler. Lawler has been one of Zach Collaros’ favorite targets during Winnipeg’s prolific run of Grey Cups, and now he joins a future CFL hall of famer in Mitchell. Joining him is Winnpeg teammate Drew Wolitarsky who stepped in wonderfully for the injured Dalton Schoen in 2024, laying the Ti-cats claim to the best receiving corp in the league.

But for Hamilton viewers it was evident that a dreadful defensive unit required a face lift. Another Toronto Argonaut, DB Dashaun Amos, makes his way down the highway to Hamilton. DB Reggie Stubblefield was added in an attempt to clog up a leaky secondary. Like Calgary, it remains to be seen if the additions will impact this side of the ball, but what is clear is Hamilton’s ability to be in shootouts in 2025.

Loser: Toronto Argonauts

Losing free agents and talent after a historic 16-2 run in 2023 may have resulted in less wins overall in 2024, yet the Argos unfathomably held the Grey Cup above their heads when all was said and down. Once again, the 2025 free agency period has gutted a potent Argos roster.

Gone are most of the Grey Cup defense, including DaShaun Amos, Jared Brinkman, Jake Ceresna, DL Ralph Holley, Royce Metchie and Robert Priester. The defensive line depth that was so touted has now evaporated. One silver lining is the return of defensive captain LB Wynton McManis.

On offense outstanding rookie receiver Makai Polk has dipped his toe in the NFL, signing with the Atlanta Falcons. RB Ka’deem Carey returns at 32 years old, but no other significant signings have been made on offense. HC Ryan Dinwiddie will have to weave his magic again with a seemingly weakened roster.

Winner: Ottawa Redblacks

The Ottawa Redblacks ended an extended playoff drought only to find themselves bowing out in the first round. This has prompted an aggressive push to storm the East division gates with an active free agency window.

The retirement of Jaelon Acklin was offset by landing arguably the CFL’s best receiver, Eugene Lewis, who joins a prolific collective of pass-catchers. The glaring absence of a running back was rectified with the acquisition of William Stanback.

For the past few years Ottawa’s secondary has been scorched by opposing offenses. To rectify this, the Redblacks have signed DBs Tunde Adeleke, Amari Henderson, Nafees Lyon, and Robert Priester. A retooled secondary will attempt to merely slow down passing attacks and give their blossoming offense a chance to put their opponents in a deficit. With a flurry of re-signings, the Redblacks now look to join the ranks of the Alouettes and Argos.

Loser: Montreal Alouettes

Danny Macoicca (citation) made it known that the Alouettes would not be active in free agency given the roster stability. The Alouettes stood pat as they ride into 2025 with a potential Grey Cup roster once again.

The one significant move was a trade for Mcleod Bethel-Thompson in exchange for Grey Cup hero Cody Fajardo. Heir apparent Davis Alexander now has a QB with a more comparable skill set, giving head coach Jason Maas less headaches to deal with on offense should Alexander falter or incur an injury. Up-and-coming wideout Kaion Julien-Grant left to seek more opportunities in Edmonton, but the main receiving corp still remains intact.

Complacency is not necessarily a detriment to Montreal, but in the game of free agency complacency is still a loss at the poker table.

Winner: BC Lions

Following a disappointing 2024 campaign in which the Lions failed to make the Grey Cup in their own backyard, the priority became clear: Build around QB Nathan Rourke. With Rourke’s return last season and the ushering of Vernon Adams Jr. out the door, the Lions made it a point to revitalize Rourke’s weapons set. All-star wideout Justin McInnis and Keon Hatcher are returning on new deals, while bidding farewell to Alexander Hollins. An old face, RB James Butler, re-enters as Rourke’s backfield mate, swapping him out for William Stanback. Earlier in the offseason, the Lions traded for Toronto’s Dejon Allen to bolster a porous offensive line.

Defensively, it became about adding to a burgeoning pass rush. Tre Crawford and Dewayne Hendrix join Most Outstanding Defensive Player award winner Mathieu Betts and Christian Covington on the line. As the coaching staff changes, the potential improvement from a defensive unit that floundered last year remains to be seen.

The Lions were also able to acquire long time CFL QB Jeremiah Masoli as insurance for Rourke. This presumably avoids any QB room controversy that surrounded the team with Adams Jr. and Rourke battling for snaps in a tumultuous 2024 season.