Photo courtesy: FAU Owls
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have signed American defensive back Zyon Gilbert to their training camp roster.
The 27-year-old safety originally signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2022, seeing action in three games as a rookie. He recorded 14 tackles and one sack in the NFL.
The six-foot, 193-pound cornerback was waived the following training camp, but earned practice roster opportunities with the Green Bay Packers in 2023 and the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2024. He has been a free agent since prior to the 2025 season.
Gilbert played collegiately for Florida Atlantic University, appearing in 60 games over five seasons and recording 248 tackles, one sack, 5.5 tackles for loss, five interceptions, 31 pass breakups, two forced fumbles and one blocked kick. He was named an All-Conference USA honourable mention for three consecutive years from 2019 to 2021.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats added several talented players in free agency, including quarterback Tre Ford, receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr., linebacker Wynton McManis, and returner Mario Alford. The team’s key departures included running back Greg Bell (Ottawa Redblacks), receiver Tim White (Winnipeg Blue Bombers), offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey (Edmonton Elks), and defensive back DaShaun Amos (Toronto Argonauts).
The Tiger-Cats hold the fifth overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28, at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on May 10. Hamilton will play its first preseason game against the Toronto Argonauts on Saturday, May 23, and its first regular-season game against the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, June 4.
In 2025, Hamilton finished first in the East Division standings with an 11-7 record, though the team lost the East Final to the Montreal Alouettes.
