Checking Down: Is Jacques Chapdelaine Argo-bound?

TORONTO — Free agency is less than one week away and there are plenty of headlines around the Canadian Football League.

In coaching circles, the Argos’ search for an offensive coordinator could bring them to Jacques Chapdelaine, while the Riders are looking for a defensive coordinator to replace Chris Jones.

Meanwhile, Feb. 12 is approaching fast, and speculation is heating up about several of the league’s top pending free agents.

The latest off-season news and notes in this week’s Checking Down:

Jump to team:

BC LIONS

Lions’ general manager Ed Hervey is expected to be very busy come free agency next week (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– After a quiet couple of months, the BC Lions are expected to be one of the biggest teams in free agency (Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca).

– Mike Reilly’s trust in BC Lions general manager Ed Hervey could play the biggest role in the pending free agent’s decision come Feb. 12 (Dave Naylor, TSN).

– A decade before eventually becoming Super Bowl MVP, Patriots receiver Julian Edelman had a contract on the table from the BC Lions to play quarterback (Mike Beamish).

– Lions pending free agent Jonathon Jennings addressed the public back-and-forth between him and Ed Hervey during the season, an exchange he wishes was kept behind closed doors (3 Down Nation via CKRM).

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

A week out from free agency, Esks pivot Mike Reilly remains the top prize available (Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

– Who’s heavily favoured to land Mike Reilly? CFL.ca takes a team by team look at the most hyped pending free agent in recent memory (Jeff Krever, CFL.ca).

– Whether it’s Edmonton or elsewhere, Reilly’s decision in the coming weeks will significantly affect the balance of power in the CFL (Dave Naylor, TSN).

– Former Eskimos offensive coordinator Carson Walch won’t be back in the CFL any time soon, as he’s about to be promoted to receivers coach with the NFL’s Philadelphia Eagles (Davis Sanchez, CFL.ca).

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

Ucambre Williams anchors a Stamps O-line that remains mostly intact for 2019 (David Chidley/CFL.ca)

– With Shane Bergman, Ucambre Williams and Brad Erdos all signing extensions, the Stamps’ O-line is in good shape to protect whoever’s playing quarterback in 2019 (Danny Austin, Calgary Herald).

– Former Stampeders linebacker Deron Mayo won his first Super Bowl on Sunday as the New England Patriots’ strength and conditioning coach (CFL.ca).

– The Stamps have brought back international linebacker Dwayne Norman, who played three regular season games in 2017 along with the Western Final and Grey Cup (CFL.ca).

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

The quarterback position will be the focus of the Riders’ off-season as free agency approaches (Matt Smith/CFL.ca)

– With the head coach and GM positions filled, what’s next for the Riders? It starts at quarterback, the position that will define the team’s off-season (Jamie Nye, CFL.ca).

– One big coaching vacancy still remains in Saskatchewan, as the Riders’ search for a defensive coordinator gets under way (CFL.ca).

– If veteran safety Mike Edem has any say, former CFL defensive back and Riders defensive assistant Jason Shivers would be the team’s new defensive coordinator (Murray McCormick, Regina Leader-Post).

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

According to a report, Chandler Fenner has agreed to a restructured deal to stay in Winnipeg (The Canadian Press)

– While Nic Demski was a key cog on the Bombers’ offence last season, other nationals Drew Wolitarsky and Daniel Petermann could help fill the void should he depart (Ed Tait, BlueBombers.com).

– Jeff Hecht and Derek Jones could be the Bombers’ contingency plan at safety should Taylor Loffler play elsewhere in 2019 (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).

– After locking up some of their key free agents, the Bombers have been among the busier teams leading into free agency (Marshall Ferguson, CFL.ca).

– Bombers defensive back Chandler Fenner has reportedly agreed to a restructured deal, one year after signing as a free agent (John Hodge, 3 Down Nation).

– The Bombers have signed international linebacker and pending free agent Kyrie Wilson to a two-year contract extension (CFL.ca).

– As the Bombers bolster their D-line depth with the signing of Noble Nwachukwu, the return of Tristan Okpalaugo seems less and less likely (Darrin Bauming, TSN 1290).

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

Orlondo Steinauer is set for his first career head coaching job with the Ticats in 2019 (Ticats.ca)

– As Black History Month arrives, Orlondo Steinauer reflects on the roles of Bernie Custis and Chuck Ealey in paving the way for African-Americans in the CFL (Chris O’Leary, CFL.ca).

– The Ticats have named D.J. Harper their running backs coach, who worked with Orlondo Steinauer at Fresno State in 2017 (CFL.ca).

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

It appears the Argos’ search for an offensive coordinator has led them to Jacques Chapdelaine (Montreal Alouettes)

– Former Alouettes head coach Jacques Chapdelaine is expected to be named the Argos’ offensive coordinator (Matthew Scianitti, TSN).

– Toronto is one of three teams expected to make a strong push for Mike Reilly should he become a free agent on Feb. 12 (Dave Naylor, TSN).

– The Argos have brought back pending free agent linebacker Akeem Jordan, who had 28 tackles in 15 games last season (CFL.ca).

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

The REDBLACKS have solidified their defensive backfield by bringing back Jonathan Rose (Adam Gagnon/CFL.ca)

– Trevor Harris has turned to tap dancing and boxing as ways to try and improve this off-season — the only question is where will he play in 2019? (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).

– Tyler Holmes, Tunde Adeleke and Nate Behar are just a few local connections that could come into play for the REDBLACKS when free agency starts on Feb. 12 (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).

– Weeks after signing Chris Randle, the REDBLACKS continue to bolster their defensive backfield, inking Jonathan Rose to a one-year deal (CFL.ca).

– With Rose back in the fold, the REDBLACKS’ veteran defensive back believes they’ll have one of the best defences in the CFL in 2019 (Tim Baines, Ottawa Sun).

– The REDBLACKS have announced plans for six open tryouts in the U.S. throughout April and May, including stops in Dallas, Las Vegas and Atlanta (OttawaREDBLACKS.com).

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

Several members of the Alouettes are pictured in the new jerseys at a Montreal Canadiens game (Montreal Alouettes)

– The Alouettes have released pending free agent receiver Joshua Stanford, who was acquired at the trade deadline last season (CFL.ca).

– Special teamer and long snapper Martin Bedard will be back with the Als in 2019, after signing a contract extension on Monday (CFL.ca).

– Miss the Alouettes’ big unveil on Friday night? CFL.ca takes a look through the lens at the Als’ new brand reveal (CFL.ca).