Checking Down: List of pending free agents narrows

TORONTO — The list of pending free agents has gradually been decreasing as players have been signing extensions while others continue to gain interest south of the border.

Elsewhere, the Argonauts bring in U Sports’ all-time leader in passing yards while one of the greatest the league has ever seen contemplates retirement.

Sticking to the topic of some of the greatest quarterbacks to play the game in Canada, Anthony Calvillo leaves the Argonauts to head back to Montreal, except this time it won’t be with the Alouettes.

Checking Down has your latest off-season news and notes.

Jump to team:

BC LIONS

The Lions extended their 2018 Most Outstanding Lineman nominee for another two years. (Johany Jutras, CFL.ca)

– DeVone Claybrooks finalizes his coaching staff for 2019, bringing in Rick Stubler and a group of former CFL players earning their first professional coaching jobs. (CFL Staff) 

– The Lions have extended offensive lineman Joel Figueroa to a two-year contract extension. The team’s Most Outstanding Lineman nominee was slated to become a free agent in February. (CFL Staff)

– For Lions GM Ed Hervey, who got to know DeVone Claybrooks over the last few years, there was no second guessing who would be best fit to replace Wally Buono in BC (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).

– According to Marshall Ferguson, Mike Reilly going to the BC Lions is a foregone conclusion (Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

Esks defensive end Kwaku Boateng reportedly had another workout with an NFL squad this week. (Patrick Doyle/CFL.ca)

– Edmonton’s QB Mike Reilly has reportedly worked out for the NFL’s Jacksonville Jaguars as he enters the off-season as a pending free agent. (Matthew Scianitti, TSN)

– A week after working out for the New York Jets of the NFL, DL Kwaku Boateng has reportedly worked out for the Los Angeles Chargers according to Justin Dunk of 3 Down Nation. (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation)

– According to CHED’s Dave Campbell, Philip Lolley has been a name gaining interest as a potential candidate for the vacant defensive coordinator position in Edmonton. (Dave Campbell, CHED)

– Edmonton signs former Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ DB Robert Priester, as well as DL Damani Mosby. (Dave Campbell, CHED)

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Brent Monson has officially been named the defensive coordinator for the Stampeders after the departure of DeVone Claybrooks. (Stampeders.com)

– Bo Levi Mitchell adds two more NFL workouts, bringing his total to now eight as he looks to pursue his options south of the border. (Dave Naylor, TSN)

– According to 3 Down Nation, Alex Singleton has completed his third NFL workout earlier this week. Calgary’s middle linebacker worked out for the Arizona Cardinals as he entertains NFL interest. (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation).

– Stampeders name Brent Monson as their new defensive coordinator. The Hamilton, Ontario native originally joined the Stampeders in 2009 in their video department. (Stampeders Staff)

– According to Justin Dunk of 3 Down Nation, Ryan Dinwiddie turned down the offensive coordinator position with the Toronto Argonauts in order to stay with the Stampeders. (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation)

– The Stamps have extended linebacker and special teams player Riley Jones to a contract extension. (CFL Staff)

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

Saskatchewan has extended Loucheiz Purifoy’s contract as he was to become a free agent in February. (Matt Smith, CFL.ca)

– The Saskatchewan Roughriders have extended Loucheiz Purifoy. The defensive back was set to become a free agent on February 12. (CFL Staff)

– Riders sign pending FA Zack Evans to a four-year contract extension. The defensive lineman will be entering into his eighth season in 2019. (Taylor Shire, Global Regina)

– Patrick Lavoie has signed a two-year contract extension with the Roughriders after joining them via a trade with Montreal in October. (Didier Oremuste, RDS)

– The Riders have added four nationals to their roster for 2019, including 2017 fifth-round draft pick and Regina product Mitchell Picton (CFL.ca).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

Bombers GM Kyle Walters turns his attention to a long list of pending free agents (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)

– The Bombers have signed Canadian linebacker Jesse Briggs two a two-year contract extension, avoiding free agency (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).

– Before signing his first professional contract, Winnipeg’s 2018 fourth-round draft pick Arnaud Gendron-Dumouchel elects to retire as a result of an injury sustained in his final college season. (John Hodge, 3 Down Nation)

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

The City of Hamilton has begun a strategic plan in order to ensure Tim Hortons Field will allow the city to host its first Grey Cup since 1996. (Adam Gagnon, CFL.ca)

– The City of Hamilton works to create a thorough game plan with the hope of hosting the city’s first Grey Cup since 1996. (Kevin Werner, Stoney Creek News)

– With Jerry Glanville out, the Ticats have no shortage of options for defensive coordinator if Orlondo Steinauer doesn’t take on a dual role (Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator).

– As he transitions to offensive coordinator, June Jones believes the Ticats’ offence could set records (Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca).

– While Craig Butler is just 15 months removed from his playing career, the former defensive back is considered a rising coaching star and a possible special teams coordinator as early as this year (Steve Milton, The Hamilton Spectator).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

The Argonauts have signed QB Noah Picton to a three-year deal after his successful collegiate career in Regina. (Jason Halstead, CFL.ca)

– Anthony Calvillo is set to be introduced as a new member of the coaching staff at the University of Montreal after serving as the Argos quarterback coach in 2018. (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca)

– Toronto signs U Sports’ all-time leading passer in QB Noah Picton to a three-year contract following his career at the University of Regina. (Justin Dunk, 3 Down Nation)

– After a tough year on and off the field, QB Ricky Ray talked about the possibility of retiring with Argonauts.ca’s Mike Hogan. (Mike Hogan, Argonuats.ca)

-The Argonauts have extended the contracts of National DB Matt Webster through 2020, National LS Jake Reinhart through 2020, National LB Mathieu Loiselle through 2019 and International DB Caleb Ham through 2020. (CFL Staff).

– With a coach in place, the pressure shifts to Argos GM Jim Popp to get the team back in the playoffs in 2019 (Frank Zicarelli, Toronto Sun).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

Corey Tindal has signed a two-year extension with the Ottawa REDBLACKS. (Johany Jutras, CFL.ca)

-The REDBLACKS announced veteran defensive back Corey Tindal and defensive lineman Mike Wakefield have signed contract extensions with the club. (CFL.ca).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

The Alouettes have acquired FB Spencer Moore from Saskatchewan. (Matt Smith, CFL.ca)

– The Alouettes have acquired FB Spencer Moore from the Saskatchewan Roughriders in exchange for a conditional eighth-round draft pick in 2020. (Didier Ormejuste, RDS)