CFL.ca
TORONTO — The 2022 Free Agent market is just a few hours from opening! CFL.ca has you covered with all the latest chatter and rumours regarding free agency from CFL.ca writers, players and FA insiders.
Click here to view the full list of pending free agents on the CFL.ca Free Agent Tracker, as well as CFL.ca’s top 30 pending free agents.
:: Laurent staying put in Hamilton
Longtime Ticat d-lineman Ted Laurent will return to the team he’s spent the past seven seasons with, according to TSN’s Farhan Lalji (who is a very busy guy today). As Lalji points out, Hamilton’s d-line is looking ferocious for 2022.
DT Ted Laurent 🇨🇦 has agreed to terms on a deal to stay with #TiCats. That’s quite the trio inside with Wynn & Johnson! @CFLonTSN #CFLFA pic.twitter.com/F88An6QRx8
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 8, 2022
:: Moncrief back in Green and White?
Derrick Moncrief created a midseason free agent frenzy when he returned from the NFL last year. The former Roughrider chose Edmonton upon his return, but TSN’s Farhan Lalji sees the linebacker headed back to where he started his CFL career.
The 28-year-old spent three years in Saskatchewan and appears poised to make his return to Riderville.
TSN’s Farhan Lalji is hearing more REDBLACKS news, reporting that DB Pat Levels could be on the move from Montreal to Ottawa.
Hearing Patrick Levels headed to #RedBlacks. @CFLonTSN pic.twitter.com/oCCohFEdbw
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 8, 2022
:: Darvin Adams to the nation’s capital?
According to a report from TSN’s Farhan Lalji, Darvin Adams is making his way East and is set to sign with the Ottawa REDBLACKS when he becomes a free agent on Tuesday.
Receiver Darvin Adams will sign with #RedBlacks @CFLonTSN pic.twitter.com/66BMQO3Vy4
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 8, 2022
:: Greg Ellingson to the ‘Peg?
According to a report from Winnipeg News’ Jeff Hamilton, receiver Greg Ellingson is heading to Winnipeg when he officially becomes a free agent at 12 p.m. ET.
The Bombers will be signing former Edmonton Elks WR Greg Ellingson once free agency opens T 11 a.m. CT. #wfp
— Jeff Hamilton (@jeffkhamilton) February 8, 2022
:: Riderville to welcome Darnell Sankey
It appears that 2021’s tackle leader Darnell Sankey is swapping red for green. According to a report from Dave Naylor, Sankey is set to sign a deal with the Saskatchewan Roughriders when his contract expires on Tuesday afternoon.
Darnell Sankey to the @sskroughriders is done. #CFL #Riders
— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) February 8, 2022
:: Report: Kenny Lawler drawing big offers
He isn’t officially a free agent until noon on Tuesday, but Kenny Lawler has drummed up a lot of interest in his services. The league’s leading receiver in 2021, Lawler has reportedly found himself in a bidding war between Edmonton and BC. TSN’s Dave Naylor has the info:
Hearing the battle to land WR Kenny Lawler between BC and Edmonton has pushed the @elks to offer $300k. #CFL #Elks
— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) February 7, 2022
By Monday evening, Naylor said that Edmonton had landed their target:
Hearing that former @Wpg_BlueBombers WR Kenny Lawler has made his commitment to the @elks. At $300k, he becomes the @CFL’s highest paid receiver.#CFL #Elks
— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) February 7, 2022
:: Report: Gainey to reunite with Chris Jones in Edmonton
Ed Gainey learned this past week that he wouldn’t be returning to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He appears to have found his next football stop, with GM and head coach Chris Jones in Edmonton, per Justin Dunk of 3DownNation.
Former Riders veteran defensive back Ed Gainey @Multifacet_ED agrees to terms with Edmonton Elkshttps://t.co/EInNhT4jqb#Edmonton #Elks #Riders #CFL pic.twitter.com/aqJEa86sEh
— Justin Dunk (@JDunk12) February 6, 2022
Gainey, 31, had three interceptions last season with the Riders in 12 games.
REDBLACKS beefing up o-line
Postmedia’s Tim Baines is reporting that the Ottawa REDBLACKS have been hard at work restoring an offensive line that allowed a league-worst 53 sacks in 2021. That could include the addition of Hamilton’s Darius Ciraco, Ucambre Williams out of Calgary and BC’s Hunter Steward. The team added former Edmonton Elk Jacob Ruby earlier this winter.
For those worried about how the #Redblacks were going to patch their offensive line with the loss of Mark Korte, sounds like they will sign #Ticats OL Darius Ciraco. Add that to incoming Ucambre Williams and Hunter Steward with newcomer Jacob Ruby already here. #CFL
— Tim Baines (@TimCBaines) February 6, 2022
:: Walker appears to be sticking with the Elks
Despite a disappointing season in Edmonton in 2021, Derel Walker will be staying with the team that he got his CFL start with, TSN’s Farhan Lalji says.
Derel Walker has signed a 1-year extension with the #Elks. @CFLonTSN #CFLFA pic.twitter.com/SAeKkKsdRu
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 5, 2022
Walker, 30, had 44 catches and 531 yards for the Elks last season and for the first time in his CFL career, didn’t register a touchdown. He was a part of Edmonton’s 2015 Grey Cup-winning squad.
:: Als, Wieneke may have deal in place
Jake Wieneke could be the next high-profile player to avoid free agency. Herb Zurkowsky of the Montreal Gazette says that Wieneke and the Als have a verbal agreement in place on a contract.
Hearing #AlsMTL and receiver @jake_wieneke have verbally agreed on a new contract
— Herb Zurkowsky (@HerbZurkowsky1) February 5, 2022
The 27-year-old receiver led the league in touchdowns last season, with 11 and had 898 receiving yards in his second season in the CFL and with the Alouettes.
:: Duke Williams breaks some news for Riders fans
It appears that D’haquille ‘Duke’ Williams won’t be hitting the free agent market.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ receiver tweeted some very encouraging news on Saturday afternoon.
@sskroughriders yooo run it back another year 🤧
— Dhaquille (@YFBurnna_cmh) February 5, 2022
Williams, 28, had 17 catches for 285 yards and a touchdown in four games with the Riders last year, joining the team midseason after he was released by the Buffalo Bills.
:: Report: Micah Johnson to the Ticats
TSN’s Farhan Lalji reported overnight Friday that defensive tackle Micah Johnson will be headed to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Hearing that DT Micah Johnson has agreed to terms on a 1-year deal with #TiCats@CFLonTSN #CFLFA #RiderNation pic.twitter.com/1wVwocbspN
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 5, 2022
Johnson spent the last two seasons in Saskatchewan and had a combined six sacks to go with 45 tackles. Working under defensive coordinator Mark Washington, Johnson will look to get back to the productivity he had as a Calgary Stampeder. Johnson had 14 sacks alone in the 2018 season in Calgary and racked up 41 total sacks over six years there.
He was on the Ottawa REDBLACKS’ free agency wish list and it sounds like GM Shawn Burke is getting what he wanted. TSN’s Farhan Lalji is reporting what Postmedia’s Tim Baines had suggested earlier in the week, that Edmonton Elks’ d-lineman Kwaku Boateng is headed to the nation’s capital. You’ll also see below that Baines is reporting that Toronto receiver Llevi Noel could be the next player to jump to the REDBLACKS.
Kwaku Boateng’s deal with #RedBlacks also done. 1 year, 150k hard, 160k all in. Will be reunited with @Coach__Bene with whom he had his most success. @CFLonTSN #CFLFA https://t.co/qwVfbkvkzl
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 5, 2022
Boateng later made the news official on Twitter.
Taking my talents to the nation’s capital!
I want to thank Edmonton for the genuine love I received these past 5 years. Special thank you to the fans, Coach Maxie, & Brock Sunderland for always believing in me.
Big chip on my shoulder, can’t wait to reunite with @Coach__Bene 🤐
— Kwaku Boateng (@KwakuBoat3ng) February 5, 2022
:: Masoli on his way to Ottawa?
It appears that Jeremiah Masoli has made up his mind on where he’s going to play in 2022. According to a report from TSN’s Dave Naylor, the QB has chosen to head to the nation’s capital and join the REDBLACKS.
Sounds like Jeremiah Masoli has made his mind-up and is heading to Ottawa. #CFL #Redblacks
— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) February 4, 2022
On Saturday morning, the Ticats posted a tribute to Masoli, thanking him for his eight seasons in Hamilton.
Not only an incredible leader on the field but in the community as well. Thank you for 8 great seasons in the 🔨, Jeremiah!#Ticats | @jmasoli8 pic.twitter.com/zdVLNzkhkF
— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) February 5, 2022
Masoli responded with a tweet thanking Hamilton for his experience there.
Thank you @Ticats ✌🏽 pic.twitter.com/gEQxuOOvoe
— Jeremiah Masoli (@jmasoli8) February 5, 2022
:: Elks and REDBLACKS interested in Masoli
According to a report from TSN’s Dave Naylor, both the Edmonton Elks and Ottawa REDBLACKS are interested in quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.
As expected, Jeremiah Masoli is getting serious interest from both @REDBLACKS and @elks. Appears he will have a choice to make. His price point should exceed $400k. #CFL #elks #redblacks
— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) January 31, 2022
According to a report from TSN’s Farhan Lalji, the BC Lions have made an offer to 2021’s receiving leader Kenny Lawler.
#BCLions have made a multi-year offer to #Bombers Kenny Lawler that will pay him 250k in 2022.
BC also expected to land #Elks PK Sean Whyte & showing strong interest in Loucheiz Purifoy & David Menard.#RedBlacks have strong interest in #TiCats DT Dylan Wynn. #CFLFA @CFLonTSN— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) January 31, 2022
:: Andrew Harris leaving the ‘Peg?
There have yet to be any formal talks between Andrew Harris and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, according to a report from TSN’s Farhan Lalji.
.@FarhanLaljiTSN: No formal contract talks between Harris, Blue Bombers; Could they part ways?
VIDEO: https://t.co/sXdbH16B96 pic.twitter.com/GrFIymNAXE
— CFL on TSN (@CFLonTSN) February 4, 2022
:: Jaelon Acklin Ottawa-bound?
According to a report from Postmedia’s Tim Baines, the Ottawa REDBLACKS are interested in receiver Jaelon Acklin.
As mentioned here a couple of days ago, the #Redblacks are also in on Ticats receiver Jaelon Acklin. #CFL
— Tim Baines (@TimCBaines) February 2, 2022
General manager Jeremy O’Day said that the team will not be offering defensive back Ed Gainey a contract to come back to the Riders, according to a report from CTV Regina’s Drew Postey.
:: Richie Sindani back in red and white
According to a tweet from the receiver himself, Richie Sindani will be a member of the Stampeders in 2022.
Im a stamp for 22’. Its time to chase that second ring!
— Richie (@Sinnd8) February 4, 2022
:: William Powell coming back to the REDBLACKS?
According to a report from Postmedia’s Tim Baines, the REDBLACKS are believed to be interested in bringing running back William Powell back to the nation’s capital.
REMAKING A TEAM: Big changes coming on #Redblacks roster. William Powell, Hunter Steward, Jaelon Acklin and Kwaku Boateng believed to be among those on Ottawa’s free-agency wishlist. #CFL https://t.co/TKtbIqOzdm
— Tim Baines (@TimCBaines) February 4, 2022