Everything is ready for the CFL offseason. over 250 players are currently set to become free agents on February 10th..
While excessive player movement is a hot topic among fans, don't worry. Most of these athletes will sign extensions to return to their current clubs, reducing the list of transferring players to a small fraction of the total. However, not every withdrawal is bad, and sometimes the hardest part is knowing when to let go.
There are players in every market that fans will clamor to keep and that teams shouldn't covet as much. Whether it's because of age, price, or the situation around them, it may be in everyone's best interest to move on from these veterans. Many still have gas in the tank, but to paraphrase the legendary Wally Buono, it's better to come a year early than a year late.
Here's one player from each team who falls into this category. Proceed with caution; some of these takes are intentionally edgy and not for the faint of heart.
BC Lions – DB Harry Peters (A)
Reports of Peters' demise have been greatly exaggerated as he remains a top half of CFL starting cornerbacks. However, cracks have begun to show in his game, and at 34 years of age, they will only grow. The two-time All-CFL selection is also dealing with a knee injury that could require an offseason procedure and could impact his availability for training camp. The Lions desperately need to get younger and more dynamic in high school, and keeping Peters would be more of a crutch than a solution to their problems. It's time to plunge into the great unknown and rebuild the squad from the ground up.
Further byes: DB TJ Lee (A), QB Jeremiah Masoli (A), DL Zion Teuhema (A)
Edmonton Elks – FB Tanner Green (D)
The Elks only have 18 pending free agents, many of whom are worth bringing back, so opportunities for hot takes are limited. Green is a local product and has been with the team since 2018, having witnessed their entire darkest chapter. He's still doing a good job in his role, but he turns 33 in March. While fellow pending free agent Jacob Plamondon moved to guard, Brad Hladik finally broke into the lineup and 2025 third-round pick Skyler Griffith was ready to make his debut after missing last season with injury, keeping the veteran would only deepen the logjam at the guard position.
Further byes: LB Michael Broadrick (N), DB Devodrick Bynum (A), OL Gregor McKellar (N)
Calgary Stampeders – REC Malik Henry (G)
It's a chalk pick – you know it, I know it, and Henry probably knows it too. If the Stampeders had plans to bring back the 28-year-old speedster, they would have found a way to get him on the field last season. They didn't, and it's officially been 891 days since he last played in the CFL. It's not the former 1,000-yard receiver's fault that he tore his Achilles and patellar tendon in back-to-back years, but Calgary has some pretty tough choices to make when it comes to re-signing receivers who have been productive over the last three seasons. Let's hope Henry gets a chance to make a triumphant comeback elsewhere.
Further byes: LB Adam Bighill (A), FB William Langlais (N), DL Lorenzo Mauldin IV (A)
Saskatchewan Roughriders – REC Kian Schaffer-Baker (N)
At first glance, this is a ridiculous approach. Shaffer-Baker has shown the ability to be an elite Canadian receiver, and at 27 years old, he is still in his prime. Why don't you want him back? In an ideal world this would be the case, but salary cap restrictions make the situation inherently flawed. If you want to keep Shaffer-Baker, this could mean Sam Emilus losing the MVC Gray Cup, not to mention having to pay Americans like KeSean Johnson and Donte Meyers. Given the Guelph player's extensive injury history and the Riders' incredible receiving depth nationally with players like Ajou Ajou, Del Duncan-Busby and Tommy Neild, he's a casualty you can get over.
Further byes: LB CJ Avery (A), REC Sean Bayne Jr. (A), RB Ka'Deem Carey (A)
Winnipeg Blue Bombers – LB Kyrie Wilson (G)
Winnipeg has plenty of ailing veterans in the twilight of their careers, but it could be worth bringing back someone like Willie Jefferson for another ride on a team-friendly contract. I'm not sure the same can be said for Wilson, who just turned 33 and has never been among the elite ranks of linebackers. He remains viable, but there will be upgrades available on the open market and internally that deserve a closer look, such as Jaden Woodby and Connor Shay. The trust that Mike O'Shea and Jordan Younger have in Wilson has kept him safe so far, but it's time for a change.
Further byes: LB Shane Gauthier (N), QB Chris Streveler (A), DL Jake Thomas (N)
Hamilton Tiger-Cats – REC Tim White (A)
After his fourth consecutive 1,000-yard season, White's consistency should be the envy of everyone in the league. I'm just not sure it's worth the dollar amount it currently commands, and history suggests that bringing its price down without a trip to the open market is unlikely. The 31-year-old man was fifth-highest receiver in the CFL last yearbut is the third-best pass catcher on his team and can still throw as many touchdowns as he scores. Ticats no longer have to pay a premium for their products and should consider cheaper alternatives.
Further byes: QB Jake Dolegala (A), OL Jordan Murray (A), retired/DB Lawrence Woods II (A)
Toronto Argonauts – LB Wynton McManis (G)
This may be my hottest release yet. McManis will still only be 31 years old and will compete next season. no wonder the highest paid midfielder in the CFL – he's damn good. With that said, was a two-time All-CFL selection. have been defeated over the past two seasons, and the effectiveness of Toronto's defense often depends on its health. For all the work this team has to do to return to relevance next season, it's not worth paying through the nose for uncertainty at a position where finding talent is rarely an issue. Isaac Darcangelo looks like a promising star at 25 years old, so give him an appropriate raise and use the rest of your McManis savings to fix the offensive line.
Further byes: REC DaVaris Daniels (A), OL Dylan Giffen (N), DL Tiadric Hansen (G)
Ottawa Redblacks – REC Braylon Addison (g)
Addison played well enough last season with 825 yards, but the fact that he was a key offensive player for the team in 2025 is incredible. The 32-year-old is no longer the explosive weapon he was as a kid before all the serious injuries, and his reliability in short screen play doesn't concern me. At a certain point, relying on veterans can hurt your ability to develop future talent, as happened last year with Ottawa's receiving corps. They cannot allow this to happen again under new leadership..
Further byes: Rhet Devontae Dedmon (a), Prichie Leone (a), DL Nigel Romick (n)
Montreal Alouettes – DB Marc-Antoine Dequois (H)
Wait, let me explain this before the entire province of Quebec starts burning my effigy. Decoy is undoubtedly a valuable leader for the Alouettes and an eloquent voice for the French-speaking cohort, but his departure also comes at a very high cost. third-largest contract among CFL defensemen.. He wasn't worth that price on the field, as I don't think the 31-year-old was even in the top half of the best safeties in the league last season. This might be a side gig for Dequoy. appears on every Quebec reality show He'll have to take a pay cut this offseason, but Montreal has a good backup in Arthur Hamlin and promising second-rounder Nate Beauchemin behind him. They don't have to ask to keep their homegrown veteran.
Further byes: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson (A), DL Sean Lemon (A), RET James Letcher Jr. (A)
