If you’re keeping score at home, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are, unofficially, at two free agent players agreeing to terms to join the Green and White in 2025 while six players from the 2024 Riders team have agreed to terms elsewhere in the C-F-L.
On Thursday, Saskatchewan agreed to terms on a contract with Canadian offensive lineman Philippe Gagnon. The 32-year-old started 17 games for Montreal at right guard this past season. However, three Roughriders from last year appear to be headed elsewhere in the C-F-L. Winnipeg has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with American receiver Jerreth Sterns. The 25-year-old made 83 catches for 941 yards and three touchdowns over 23 regular-season games with the Roughriders over the last two seasons. Ottawa has agreed to terms with Canadian centre Peter Godber on a two-year contract. Godber started 12 games for the Green and White. The B-C Lions have agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Canadian linebacker Adam Auclair. The 28-year-old played 15 games for the Green and White this past season and made eight starts at weak-side linebacker. In addition, the Riders have re-signed Canadian receiver Mitch Picton for the 2025 season. The six-foot-two, 200-pound Regina product is entering his ninth year. He played 12 games in 2024, catching 16 passes for 185 yards and two touchdowns. The C-F-L’s free agency negotiation window has been open since Sunday with reported deals unable to be officially ratified until free agency officially gets underway on Tuesday. Following is the news release from the Roughriders about the Picton signing…..
DATE: February 6, 2025
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR25-027
RIDERS EXTEND HOMEGROWN RECEIVER MITCH PICTON
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed National receiver Mitch Picton to a contract extension.
Picton (6’2-200) returns to his hometown team for his ninth year, after being selected by the Roughriders in the fifth round, 37th overall, of the 2017 CFL Draft. He suited up for 12 games in 2024, earning 185 yards on 16 receptions (11.6-yard average) and scored two touchdowns. Always clutch when the moment calls for it, Picton made back-to-back 12-yard receptions on second-and-long in the final two minutes in Week 5 to help secure a 30-23 victory over Toronto.
The Regina native made his CFL debut on July 27, 2019, against the B.C. Lions and has gone on to play 45 regular season games and four post-season matchups in Green and White over five seasons (2019-24). Picton has tallied 76 career receptions for 852 yards, including 212 yards after catch, and an 11.2-yard average. He’s also scored six touchdowns.
Picton spent five seasons (2013-17) at the University of Regina, playing in 38 Canada West games with the Rams. Over that span, he caught 170 passes for 2,447 yards and 24 touchdowns. In 2016, he led Canada West in catches (58), receiving yards (834) and aerial touchdowns (11) en route to being named a Canada West All-Star and a First-Team All-Canadian.
