For the past few seasons, Calgary has played a similar refrain on locker room clean-out day. Players and coaches, disappointed with how it all ended and unsure whether they'll still be in Cowtown, report to training camp next year – or whether they even want to be there.
The 2025 edition was different. That attitude reflected the change in atmosphere that had been evident in the Stampeders' locker room all season. Suddenly the players wanted to come back here.
“There's something special about Calgary, man,” said future free agent receiver Dominic Rhymes. “It made me love football again.”
“When you play football for a long time, you get used to it. You just get up and go to work. You don't feel like you have a purpose. This year I felt like I found my purpose again.”
Rhimes wasn't the only one heaping praise on everyone. Reggie Begelton told the media that this is the closest team he has played for in his ten-year CFL career. League MVP Dedrick Mills also talked about how tight the roster has become.
“The whole team came together as one and realized what we wanted as a team. To be there for each other, to join each other and to hug each other. To learn (about) each other's families, people who are about to have kids, and everything else,” Mills continued.
“It's about supporting that person, you know? Just having that energy and the new leadership that we had in the locker room this year took over and just showed how to take care of individuals as individuals.”
Part of that leadership has come from new quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., who views his first season as a solid start to what this team can become. He said 3DownNation that restoring the locker room culture was the first thing he had to do when he arrived.
“I have heard so many bad things about this franchise over the past two years,” the VA said. “I wanted to come in and lead, bring energy and make sure I interacted with everyone on the team. The specialists, the defensive backs, the O-line, not just being tied to my group or just the offense.”
Head coach and general manager Dave Dickenson did not directly mention CFLPA poll released last offseasonbut he did mention how the Stampeders took care to address some of the big issues surrounding it.
“As an organization, we've done a lot of things to help our players feel valued,” he said. “We've changed a lot about our club here: our gym, our food, our turf was new, and the connections our property has made with the players.”
But every rave review of the room was accompanied by a sense that the team deserved more in Sunday's game against the Lions. There was also a belief that if they could keep the group together, they would have something special as the team prepares to host the 2026 Gray Cup.
When asked about the upcoming offseason work and the list of big names set to become free agents, including much of the starting defensive line, Dickenson expressed optimism that this time he can keep players from leaving for greener jerseys to, well, pastures.
“I think we feel good about the guys. I think they've enjoyed being here and I think they feel like the team is trending upward, which should help you in free agency and getting guys back,” he said.
“Our best players seem to be in the early stages of their careers. We also have several guys in their 30s and some of them were injured and couldn't be with us. We have some tough decisions to make.”
Dickenson will be helped by his QB1 as Adams has gone on record once again that he will do whatever it takes to recruit potential free agents and convince his current teammates to stay.
He also agreed that the sale would be easier than last year given the success of the 2025 team.
“Guys want to be part of winning teams,” Adams said. “I’ll go after whoever Dave wants me to go after.”
One guy who seems eager to put pen to paper is Mills, who has been emphatic about his desire to return.
“I love Calgary. I love being here,” he said. “If I have the opportunity to come back, I will. I just love it here.”
If that sentiment continues for the rest of the team, McMahon Stadium will be where he plays next November.
