It’s my Parting Shot to discuss how money always wins out over championships…..
In the wake of the euphoria of winning the Grey Cup last November, many Saskatchewan Roughriders’ players talked about, quote, running it back together for another championship run in 2026.
Fast forward almost three months later, just three days into C-F-L free agency, and you get the sense that the players may have been talking in a bit of an inebriated state – especially during the rally at the Legislative building in Regina – caught up in the moment of winning a title with their brothers that they went to war with for six months!
As I said, money talks – just look at the headlines from the Three Down Nation website – Official: Edmonton Elks make Malik Carney highest-paid American defensive player in C-F-L salary cap era; Official: Ottawa Redblacks make A-J Allen highest-paid linebacker in C-F-L salary cap era; Official: Ottawa Redblacks make Jake Maier highest-paid backup quarterback in C-F-L salary cap era.
The problem for the Green and White – and all nine C-F-L teams, but especially the Riders coming off a championship – is that you can’t keep all your key players happy with a salary cap. Even though the cap was increased by 218-thousand, 149 dollars from 2025 to six million, 280-thousand, 514 dollars for each team – that increase is swallowed up by one key free agent addition or by providing raises for just a few guys, not all!!
As of this writing Thursday morning, Saskatchewan is saying good-bye to Carney, Allen, Maier, depth Canadian defensive lineman Charbel Dabire, depth Global defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado, American receiver Joe Robustelli, depth Canadian offensive lineman Braydon Noll, veteran American kick returner Mario Alford, American cover linebackr C-J Reavis and heroic Canadian receiver Tommy Nield.
That sounds like a lot – and it is! The Roughriders have signed Global Tyron Vrede from Ottawa and American defensive lineman James Vaughters from Winnipeg. Remember, that’s what I’ve been able to find and it doesn’t sound like much – and it isn’t!
But, that’s why the Riders pay G-M Jeremy O’Day the big bucks – to build a team that can contend for a championship! You can’t doubt him just yet because he got it done, with big help from Corey Mace and his coaching staff, just this past year!!
That’s my Parting Shot. I’m Les Lazaruk…and it turned out nice again!
