The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ free-agent picture changed in a snap.
On Wednesday at 12:11 p.m., it was announced that Sean McEwen — a three-time All-CFL centre — had signed with the Green and White.
McEwen, who has anchored offensive lines with the Toronto Argonauts (2016-19) and the hometown Calgary Stampeders (2021-24), returned a signed contract to the Roughriders slightly less than 24 hours after the market opened.
“I’ve admired his game from afar for a long time,” quarterback Trevor Harris said.
“He has great character and he’s a beast on the field. He’s one of the best centres in our league and I’m fired up to work with someone of his calibre. He’s going to fit in really well.”
McEwen became the second veteran offensive lineman to join the Roughriders this week.
On Tuesday, Philippe Gagnon signed with Saskatchewan after spending seven of his first eight CFL seasons with the Montreal Alouettes.
Starting at right guard, Gagnon helped Montreal win a Grey Cup in 2023 and finish first in the East Division last season.
“He’s someone we actually tried to get a few years ago when he was a free agent,” Roughriders Vice-President of Football Operations and General Manager Jeremy O’Day noted.
“We just like the way he plays as an offensive lineman. He’s someone who brings a lot of experience. He has played multiple positions on the offensive line — both guard spots, and some centre as well.
“We saw we could add a guy who’s got some value and bring some experience and a Grey Cup pedigree to the group.
“We’re super excited to have him, too.”
Gagnon and quarterback Tommy Stevens signed with Saskatchewan on Day 1 of free agency.
Stevens spent the past three seasons in Calgary, serving primarily as the short-yardage quarterback.
O’Day added two other former Stampeders whose names did not appear on the CFL’s expansive list of prospective free agents when it was circulated in late November.
Perennial All-CFL defensive tackle Mike Rose signed with Saskatchewan on Feb. 1, just four days after being released by Calgary.
On Feb. 3, the Roughriders added former University of Regina Rams defensive back Tevaughn Campbell, who played with Calgary (2015), Saskatchewan (2016) and Montreal (2017-18) before spending six years in the NFL.
“Those were guys who were, I would say, unexpected when we started going through the process,” O’Day said of Rose and Campbell.
“When you add some guys who have that pedigree and factor in the salary cap, it kind of changes your approach a bit as well.”
That said, O’Day was steadfast in his approach to the off-season. The priority from the outset was to re-sign as many pending free agents as possible.
The Roughriders ultimately extended deals with 17 returnees whose names appear on the league’s Free Agent Tracker.
Included were two All-CFL choices from 2024 (cornerback Marcus Sayles and defensive tackle Micah Johnson) and two divisional selections (Harris and middle linebacker Jameer Thurman).
“We had nine All-Stars last year,” O’Day said, “and we got all nine of them back.”
Logan Ferland (the West’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2024), cover linebacker C.J. Reavis, receiver Samuel Emilus and defensive halfback Rolan Milligan Jr. were the other honourees. Milligan, who was also recognized as the West’s top special teams player, occupied two spots on the division’s select squad.
Ferland, Reavis, Emilus and Milligan Jr. were all under contract for 2025 before the free agency period began.
“Extending Rolan was a big deal for us,” O’Day said. “He expressed an interest that he wanted to extend his contract and was able to work with us, so we added a year with him, which is nice.
“Everyone that we offered (a contract to), we were able to get back.”
The Roughriders made another major move by trading for Jake Maier, who had spent the past four seasons with Calgary, on Dec. 23. A pending free agent, he signed with Saskatchewan on Jan. 9.
Factor in Stevens and the Roughriders now have five quarterbacks under contract. Harris, the returning starter, is joined by Maier, Stevens, Jack Coan (who is entering his second CFL season) and Michael Hiers (who spent some time on the practice roster last autumn).
The addition of Khalan Laborn, whose signing was announced on Wednesday morning, gives Saskatchewan five running backs.
He rushed for 310 yards, averaging 5.1 yards per carry, in six games with the Ottawa REDBLACKS last year. In addition, he caught 23 passes for 152 yards.
Laborn, who rushed for 1,513 yards in 13 games with Marshall University’s Thundering Herd in 2022, will join incumbents A.J. Ouellette, Ryquell Armstead and Thomas Bertrand-Hudon and newcomer Trenton Pennix in the Roughriders’ running backs room. Bertrand-Hudon is the lone National in the quintet.
“Offensively, we have a lot of continuity,” O’Day said. “We weren’t super active on offence because now we have a core of receivers who have worked together for a year.
“Coming into the season last year, there were a lot of question marks in the receiving corps. Were some of the young guys going to step up? With KeeSean Johnson and Dohnte Meyers stepping up, it’s good to know that we have the continuity there.
“Obviously, we changed the dynamic of the quarterback room a little bit, adding Jake and Tommy.
“With free agency, there are ups and downs and ebbs and flows. There are some guys you think you’re going to get back and you don’t. And then there’s other guys who you didn’t think you’d get back and you did.
“It kind of changes as it goes on.”
