If 2025 was a return to form for the Calgary Stampeders, then 2026 will be about getting back to what made the franchise great.
After missing the playoffs for the first time in almost a quarter-century, Dave Dickenson broke the mould last offseason by making uncharacteristically splashy acquisitions. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. and defensive end Folarin Orimolade were brought in via blockbuster trades. Safety Damon Webb, ratio-breaking cornerback Adrian Greene, strong-side linebacker Derrick Moncrief, defensive tackle Miles Brown, and receivers Dominique Rhymes and Tevin Jones joined them through free agency.
It was a markedly different approach than the one established during Calgary’s decades of CFL dominance, but every single move paid off. Naturally, the team elected not to replicate that aggressiveness this offseason, returning to their roots and making just three minor tweaks through free agency.
Flashy February moves are not seen as a sustainable way forward, and the organization is re-establishing its identity as a team that identifies and develops young talent in-house. Even amidst last season’s influx of established players, there were positive signs from the scouting staff. Unfortunately, they did their job so well that three budding stars have jumped to the NFL — a trademark of the Stampeders’ dynastic years.
The pressure is on to find replacements, particularly on the defensive side of the ball. It was a reinvigorated defence that sparked Calgary’s turnaround last year, though the unit seemed to fade down the stretch due to injury. That spectre continues to loom over the team as Orimolade is not expected to be ready to start next year. With the departure of game-changing defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings to the Minnesota Vikings, that leaves serious question marks in the trenches.
The Stampeders did well to re-sign their other star edge rusher, Clarence Hicks, and Brown will be back along the interior. Third-year man Charles Wiley can likely be pencilled in as Flo’s temporary replacement after recording five sacks last season, four of which came in the final four weeks of the season, though he should face competition. The final defensive tackle spot remains a mystery, with Canadian Justin Sambu being the only contender with CFL experience. Devonte O’Malley will presumably have the leg up after finishing last season on the practice roster and has a similar profile to Hutchings, though other rookies like Norell Pollard and Brandon Maina will push him.
Replacing weak-side linebacker Jacob Roberts, who left for Minnesota alongside Hutchings, should be considerably easier. Veteran Kyle Wilson, who performed admirably after joining the team mid-way through last season, can slide over with Marquel Lee back healthy in the middle. Homegrown product Micah Teitz also offers valuable depth and a ratio option when required. This group is affordable and has some intriguing youth behind it, though a few more Canadian options could be a target in the draft.
The secondary is where the only defensive addition comes into play, as Devodric Bynum comes over from the Edmonton Elks. The 26-year-old is a low-risk, high-reward addition, as he comes cheap after missing the majority of last season due to injury. Bynum had five interceptions as a rookie in 2024 and can provide an upgrade over Anthony Johnson at boundary cornerback if he bounces back. The remainder of the group remains intact, with Moncrief at strong-side linebacker, Webb at safety, Greene at field corner, and Jaydon Grant and Sheldon Arnold II entering their second years at halfback.
Offensively, Canadian receiver Dejon Brissett is the only addition of note and will fill the void left by the departure of 2025 first overall pick Damien Alford to the New Orleans Saints. At a reported $210,000 in hard money, the former Argonaut is considerably pricier than his predecessor but is coming off a career year.
He also offers the Stampeders the ability to start three legitimate Canadian receivers with incumbents Jalen Philpot and Clark Barnes, though one of them is likely to rotate out in favour of American Erik Brooks. Tevin Jones and Reggie Begelton will begin in the other two starting spots, and the latter feels almost like an addition after missing most of last season with an injury.
Up front, the Stamps return the majority of their offensive linemen, save for right tackle Joshua Coker. He remains a free agent, as a knee injury suffered late last year will keep him sidelined for much of this upcoming season. There is little reason for concern in Calgary, though, as both Preston Nichols and William Barnes made starts last season and showed a lot of promise. They’ll compete for the role on the right side, and could even push D’Antne Demery on the left side.
The backfield tandem of CFL leading rusher Dedrick Mills and Adams at quarterback remains intact as well. While the team’s QB depth can be questioned as P.J. Walker recovers from shoulder surgery, Calgary added some insurance behind Mills by signing Deonta McMahon. The former Toronto backup is not a lock to make the roster, but could be a change-up option on offence and has the ability to spell off Brooks as a returner.
When assessing their roster overall, the Stampeders lost more proven talent than they gained, though not by an overwhelming margin. Notably, not a single one of their departing free agents has signed with another CFL team, indicating that Dickenson’s staff did their job in retaining the players that matter.
The holes that will have to be filled in training camp were mostly unavoidable, and Calgary is back to betting on their ability to find and replace. Dreams of a home Grey Cup will hinge on whether they can live up to that expectation once again.
Calgary Stampeders 2026 offseason overview
Added
REC Dejon Brissett (N)
DB Devodric Bynum (A)
RB Deonta McMahon (A)
Re-signed (* indicates practice roster player)
REC Clark Barnes (N)
OL Bryce Bell (N)
REC/RET Erik Brooks (A)
DB Bailey Devine-Scott (G)
DL Clarence Hicks (A)
OL Tomas Jack-Kurdyla (N)
REC Vyshonne Janusas (N)*
FB Ryan Jones (A)*
REC Tevin Jones (A)
DL Daniel Joseph (N)
LB Marquel Lee (A)
RB Dedrick Mills (A)
DB Derrick Moncrief (A)
DL Devonte O’Malley (A)*
DB Godfrey Onyeka (N)
DL B.J. Thompson (A)*
LB Micah Teitz (N)
DL Charles Wiley (A)
LB Kyle Wilson (A)
Not retained
REC Damien Alford (N) — New Orleans Saints (NFL)
LB Adam Bighill (A) — free agent
QB Logan Bonner (A) — free agent
OL Joshua Coker (A) — free agent
REC Malik Henry (A) — free agent
LB Justin Herdman-Reed (N) — free agent
DL Jaylon Hutchings (A) — Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
LB Gary Johnson Jr. (A) — free agent
FB William Langlais (N) — retired
DL Lorenzo Mauldin IV (A) — Louisville Kings (UFL)
REC Dominique Rhymes (A) — retired
DB Tyler Richardson (A) — free agent
LB Jacob Roberts (A) — Minnesota Vikings (NFL)
OL Kyle Saxelid (N) — free agent
