February 4, 2022

FA Rumour Mill: Stay up to date on the latest buzz

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.

:: 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.

:: Pat Levels Ottawa-bound?

TSN’s Farhan Lalji is hearing more REDBLACKS news, reporting that DB Pat Levels could be on the move from Montreal to Ottawa.

 

:: 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.

:: 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.

:: 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.

:: 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:

By Monday evening, Naylor said that Edmonton had landed their target:

:: 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.

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.

:: 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

:: Boateng headed East?

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.

Boateng later made the news official on Twitter.

:: 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.

On Saturday morning, the Ticats posted a tribute to Masoli, thanking him for his eight seasons in Hamilton.

Masoli responded with a tweet thanking Hamilton for his experience there.

:: 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.

:: Lawler to the Lions?

According to a report from TSN’s Farhan Lalji, the BC Lions have made an offer to 2021’s receiving leader Kenny Lawler.

:: 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.

:: Jaelon Acklin Ottawa-bound?

According to a report from Postmedia’s Tim Baines, the Ottawa REDBLACKS are interested in receiver Jaelon Acklin.

:: Gainey out in Saskatchewan

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.

:: 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.

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