The Hamilton Tiger-Cats approached Kyle Carson about taking over as the team's general manager, but the Saskatchewan assistant general manager has decided to remain with the Roughriders, according to sources.
The Sherwood Park, Alta., native, who grew up in Nolensville, Tenn., got his first CFL job as an intern with the Calgary Stampeders in 2012. John Hufnagel named him the team's CFL draft coordinator and he helped the Stamps win two Gray Cups before heading to the Riders after the 2019 season.
Carson initially joined Saskatchewan as the team's director of player personnel and was promoted to assistant general manager in 2022. He played a key role in helping the team win its 112th Gray Cup over the Montreal Alouettes and recently received a vocal endorsement from general manager Jeremy O'Day.
“Kyle has developed into a great assistant general manager and will be a general manager when he decides to be one,” O'Day said. “Kyle plays a huge role in what you see on the field. He scouts players in the US. He's very involved in [CFL] Draft. Hard worker and has a good football mind, he has a bright future ahead of him.”
The 38-year-old plays a key role for the Roughriders, assessing talent on both sides of the border. He oversees NFL training camps and NCAA All-Star games, conducts contract negotiations, coordinates the Saskatchewan CFL draft process, helps plan free agency and helps put together the negotiating list.
Carson played in the Canadian Junior Football League for the Victoria Rebels before joining the University of Calgary Dynasty. As a student-athlete, he earned a degree in communications.
His family, wife Brynn, son Cruz, daughter Daisy and dog Nash currently call Regina home.
Hamilton's general manager position has since been vacant. Ted Gouveia tragically passed away in September.. Carson was a finalist for the job last offseason, along with Gouveia and Hero Simon.who was eventually hired by the University of Maryland as CEO of the Terrapins.
Saskatchewan finished first in the West Division for the first time since 2019 with a 12-6 record in 2025. The Riders defeated the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Gray Cup at Princess Auto Stadium.which was the team's first title in 12 years. Trevor Harris went 11-5 as a starter, throwing for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 16 regular-season starts.
The Roughriders ranked second in net offense, second in net defense and third in turnover differential of plus eight. The team's leading rusher was AJ Ouellette with 1,222 yards, the leading receiver was KeSean Johnson with 1,159 yards, and the leading tackler was AJ Allen with 91 tackles. Saskatchewan ranked second in attendance with an average attendance of 28,427, up 2.7 per cent from the previous year.
