The talk of change has been brewing in Saskatchewan from the moment the 2022 season came to an end.
On Tuesday, the transformation of the Saskatchewan Roughriders is set to begin with free agency getting underway.
—
It was later than expected, but the Saskatchewan Roughriders have found their man at quarterback with the signing of Trevor Harris.
The quarterback joins Saskatchewan after spending last season in Montreal. Harris took over as the Alouettes starting quarterback and had 4,157 passing yards with 20 touchdowns and 12 interceptions.
For more on Harris you can view the story here.
—
It didn’t take the Roughriders long to find a familiar target for Harris as the team signed WR Jake Wieneke to a deal.
Wieneke joins Saskatchewan after three seasons in Montreal.
He was a CFL All-Star in 2021 after he posted 898 receiving yards with the Alouettes.
—
Saskatchewan added veteran Offensive Lineman Philip Blake.
The 37-year-old joins Saskatchewan for his second stint with the Riders (2018-19).
Last season, Blake was a member of the Grey Cup champion Toronto Argonauts.
—
A familiar face has returned to Saskatchewan as the Roughriders agreed to terms with Defensive Tackle Micah Johnson.
This will mark the third stint with the Roughriders for Johnson. (2019 & 2021)
Last season, the 34-year-old had seven sacks with Hamilton. Johnson has been named a CFL All-Star on three occasions and a divisional All-Star six times.
The defensive tackle has won the Grey Cup twice (2014 & 2018).
—
The Roughriders have added another piece to their pass rushing attack with the signing of Defensive End Stefen Banks.
Banks has played with the Calgary Stampeders over the last two seasons.
During his time with the Stampeders, Banks picked up eight sacks over 23 games.
—
A Canadian receiver has joined the Roughriders as the team agreed to terms with Juwan Brescacin.
He becomes the second member of the 2022 Grey Cup Champions Argonauts teams to join the Riders (Philip Blake) .
Brescacin is a six-year veteran, spending the last two with Toronto after beginning his career in Calgary.
—
Saskatchewan’s first official move of the day was the team agreeing to terms with offensive lineman Peter Godber.
The centre started in 18 games with BC last year along with two postseason games.
He took over the starting position at centre in 2021 that season and made 14 starts that year.
Godber is a former first round pick of the Lions back in the 2018 CFL Draft (3rd overall.)
—
The Roughriders added some speed to their lineup with the signing of receiver Shawn Bane Jr.
Last year, Bane Jr. had 21 catches for 288 yards and one touchdown and also saw action as a kick returner.
He saw action in 2021 after originally joining the Stampeders in 2020.
Welcome to Riderville, SBJ!
🤝 @shawn_Banejr pic.twitter.com/FdDzW8MSKe
— Saskatchewan Roughriders (@sskroughriders) February 14, 2023
—
To start the day the first sign of change was the departure of quarterback Cody Fajardo. The first announced free signing of the day in the Canadian Football League (CFL) was Montreal signing the former Roughrider QB.
Fajardo was the Roughriders starting quarterback for the last three seasons and led the green and white to a pair of appearances in the Western Final.
—
Saskatchewan lost some speed after the departure of Kyran Moore who signed a deal with Edmonton today
The wide receiver spent the last four seasons with Saskatchewan. His best season was in 2019 when he had 996 receiving yards.
—
The Ottawa REDBLACKS officially announce the signing of offensive lineman Terran Vaughn.
Vaughn started ten games for Saskatchewan at left tackle in 2022 after he missed the entire 2021 season with an injury.
The 28-year-old has been a member of the Riders since 2018.
—
The REDBLACKS have also ann0unced the signing of linebacker Gary Johnson Jr.
Johnson Jr. has spent the last three seasons with Saskatchewan contributing mostly on special teams.
—
Another former Rider has elected to join the Ottawa REDBLACKS as WR Shaq Evans has signed a deal with the team.
Evans spent his entire CFL career with Saskatchewan. His best season was in 2019 when he had 1,334 receiving yards with the Riders.
The past two seasons, the wide receiver has been hampered by a pair of foot injuries.
—
Bo-Levi Mitchell will be throwing passes to a former Roughrider in Hamilton.
The Tiger-Cats have announced the signing of “Duke” Williams to a deal.
Williams signed with Saskatchewan in 2022 after joining the team late in the 2021 season. He had 480 yards and four touchdowns in Saskatchewan last season.
—
With free agency opening up in the CFL, the window for players exploring NFL options have now closed.
Riders receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker will return to Saskatchewan for the 2023.
During the offseason, the Canadian took part in several workouts with NFL teams but never agreed to a contract.
—
Roughrider related news will be updated throughout the day
