CFL – Winnipeg Free Press

Calgary Stampeders' John Hufnagel is honoured with the Hugh Campbell Distinguished Leadership Award at the CFL Awards during the CFL's Grey Cup week in Calgary, Thursday, Nov. 21, 2019. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

Hufnagel joins Argonauts as adviser following successful run in Calgary

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 2:22 PM CST

TORONTO - The Toronto Argonauts announced Thursday that five-time Grey Cup winner John Hufnagel is joining the team as a special adviser to the general manager and head coach.

Known for his success with the Calgary Stampeders, Hufnagel has added two CFL coach of the year titles and a Super Bowl ring over 50 years as a player and coach.

He was inducted into the Canadian Football Hall of Fame in 2020.

“A legend is entering the building," Argonauts general manager Mike (Pinball) Clemons said in a release. "John Hufnagel is one of the most respected and revered people in our game today and defines the meaning of 'Hall of Famer,' as one of the few who can call himself both a Grey Cup and Super Bowl champion."

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Mike Miller steps in as Toronto Argonauts head coach after Dinwiddie’s exit

Griffin Porter, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Mike Miller steps in as Toronto Argonauts head coach after Dinwiddie’s exit

Griffin Porter, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025

TORONTO - Mike Miller's coaching career of nearly 30 years has taken him from small-town Pennsylvania to Berlin. He has been behind the sidelines with NCAA Division II schools and NFL teams.

He hadn't, however, been a head coach at any of the stops on his long journey. That changed Tuesday, when he was named the 46th head coach of the CFL's Toronto Argonauts.

Miller was promoted to the role after serving as the Argonauts' quarterbacks coach since 2022. He said getting the keys to the team isn't going to change how he approaches his job.

“I just try to always be myself,” Miller said at a press conference at BMO Field. “Always try to be honest with the players, and I’m a guy who’s always said that I feel like we have a good starting point, but I encourage input.”

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Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025

QB Trevor Harris signs one-year extension after leading Roughriders to Grey Cup

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

QB Trevor Harris signs one-year extension after leading Roughriders to Grey Cup

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 2:14 PM CST

REGINA - Grey Cup MVP Trevor Harris signed a one-year contract extension with the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Thursday.

The veteran quarterback led the Riders to the 2025 CFL championship, throwing for 302 yards and a Grey Cup-record 85.2 per cent completion rate in a 25-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg.

He also passed for 305 yards and two touchdowns in a 27-24 Western Final win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, including a late game-winning drive.

Harris threw for 4,549 yards and 24 touchdowns in the regular season, completing 73.6 per cent of his passes to lead the league.

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Yesterday at 2:14 PM CST

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris (7) passes to Saskatchewan Roughriders' A.J. Ouellette (45) as they take on Montreal Alouettes in first half CFL football action at the 112th Grey Cup, in Winnipeg on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. Lions sign star receiver Hatcher to extension through 2027 CFL season

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

B.C. Lions sign star receiver Hatcher to extension through 2027 CFL season

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025

VANCOUVER - The B.C. Lions have signed star wide receiver Keon Hatcher Sr. to a contract extension through the 2027 season, the CFL club announced Wednesday.

Financial terms were not disclosed, but a person with knowledge of the contract said it exceeded $645,000, with $630,000 guaranteed. Hatcher was slated to become a free agent in February.

Hatcher, a favourite target of Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, led the league with 1,688 yards and 102 receptions while scoring nine touchdowns in 2025. He added 126 receiving yards in two playoff games.

Hatcher was an All-CFL and West Division All-CFL selection for the second time in his career.

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Wednesday, Dec. 3, 2025

B.C. Lions' Keon Hatcher scores a touchdown during the second half of a CFL football game against the Edmonton Elks, in Vancouver, on Friday, October 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Alouettes sign Canadian receiver Philpot to two-year extension

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Alouettes sign Canadian receiver Philpot to two-year extension

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025

MONTREAL - The Montreal Alouettes have signed Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot to a two-year extension, the CFL club announced Tuesday.

The deal keeps the 25-year-old under contract through the 2027 season.

Financial terms were not disclosed.

Philpot finished the 2025 season with 61 catches for 804 yards and five touchdowns in 12 games.

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Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025

Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Tyson Philpot (6) celebrates after scoring a touchdown against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers during the second half of football action at the 110th CFL Grey Cup in Hamilton, Ont., on Sunday, November 19, 2023. Canadian wide receiver Philpot has signed a two-year contract extension with the Alouettes.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Lions to host Elks, Stampeders in Kelowna, B.C., as Vancouver hosts FIFA World Cup

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Lions to host Elks, Stampeders in Kelowna, B.C., as Vancouver hosts FIFA World Cup

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

VANCOUVER - The B.C. Lions will face the Edmonton Elks and Calgary Stampeders in Kelowna, B.C., next season while their home stadium of B.C. Place hosts the FIFA World Cup.

The Lions will battle the Stampeders at the Apple Bowl on June 27, then take on the Elks at the same venue on July 4.

The Apple Bowl, home to the Okanagan Sun of the Canadian Junior Football League, will be expanded to 17,500 seats for the two games.

The World Cup will also temporarily displace the Toronto Argonauts, who are set to play home games at Hamilton Stadium, Mosaic Stadium in Regina and Winnipeg's Princess Auto Stadium during the tournament.

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Monday, Nov. 24, 2025

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke, back centre, is hit by Edmonton Elks' Noah Taylor, back left, as his pass is intercepted during the second half of a CFL football game, in Vancouver, on Friday, October 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Montreal Alouettes sign kicker Jose Maltos Diaz to contract extension

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Montreal Alouettes sign kicker Jose Maltos Diaz to contract extension

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

MONTREAL - The Montreal Alouettes signed kicker Jose Maltos Diaz to a contract extension Thursday.

The deal keeps the five-foot-10, 221-pound Maltos Diaz with the CFL club through 2027.

Maltos Diaz connected on a club-record 58 field goals this past season with Montreal. He made a 58-yard field goal -- a club record -- during a regular-season game against Calgary and was the CFL's leading scorer with 210 points.

Next season will be Maltos Diaz’s fourth in Montreal after starting his CFL career in 2019 with the Ottawa Redblacks.

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Thursday, Nov. 20, 2025

Montreal Alouettes' Jose Maltos Diaz (19) kicks a field goal as Montreal Alouettes' Joseph Zema (36) holds the ball against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during second half CFL football action at the 112th Grey Cup, in Winnipeg on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

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Bombers’ GM well aware of needed changes for club to get back to winning ways

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Bombers’ GM well aware of needed changes for club to get back to winning ways

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

Where do the Winnipeg Blue Bombers go from here?

Their starting quarterback isn’t getting any younger, the offensive line is starting to show cracks, their star running back isn’t guaranteed to return, their best receiver is recovering from another major knee injury, and around a dozen starters on defence could potentially hit free agency.

Returning to Grey Cup glory doesn’t seem so simple.

One of the key people tasked with getting the organization back to contender status is general manager Kyle Walters. He spoke to a room of reporters on Wednesday fresh off signing a three-year contract extension.

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Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters spoke to the media for the first time on Wednesday after signing a three-year contract extension with the club.

Grey Cup MVP Harris says he’d be ‘shocked’ if he called time on his career

Brendan McGuire, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Grey Cup MVP Harris says he’d be ‘shocked’ if he called time on his career

Brendan McGuire, The Canadian Press 4 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

REGINA - Trevor Harris sounds ready to return for another season.

The MVP of the 112th Grey Cup has been non-committal about his future so far. But at the Saskatchewan Roughriders' year-end media availability Wednesday, fresh off their Grey Cup win just three days earlier, the quarterback sounded like someone not ready for retirement.

"I’d be shocked if I turn around and say 'that’s a wrap,'" Harris said.

The pending free agent doesn’t expect his decision about 2026 will take long.

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Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris speaks during a Grey Cup championship parade in Regina, Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. The Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Montreal Alouettes on Sunday to become Grey Cup champion for the fifth time in team’s history. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Bombers’ O’Shea keen to continue building ‘special’ franchise

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers’ O’Shea keen to continue building ‘special’ franchise

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

Mike O’Shea had no shortage of reasons to pack up his things and head east.

On the personal side, he was born and raised in North Bay, Ont., went to the University of Guelph, spent 12 seasons of his hall of fame playing career with the Toronto Argonauts, and still has family — his mother and in-laws — who reside in southern Ontario today.

From a football standpoint, the Argos were reportedly offering more money and more authority. It also would’ve been a chance to tackle a new challenge, and an opportunity to reunite with his good pal and former teammate Pinball Clemons. Plus, there are signs that the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and their aging core are trending downward.

On paper, Toronto seemed like an obvious fit.

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Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

Ruth Bonneville / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea spoke to the media for the first time on Tuesday after signing a three-year contract extension with the club.

‘I wanted to be here:’ O’Shea resists pull of home, remains with Blue Bombers

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

‘I wanted to be here:’ O’Shea resists pull of home, remains with Blue Bombers

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

WINNIPEG - Mike O’Shea’s mom didn’t try to convince him to move closer to his hometown.

O’Shea spoke to the media on Tuesday and explained why he signed a three-year extension last week to remain head coach of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers through the 2028 season.

“There's obviously a whole pile of reasons, but we've built something pretty damn special here, so you'd like to continue that,” O’Shea said.

“The season didn't work out the way we wanted, but I think there's still a lot of growth to be had and a lot of legs left in it, so that, family, all sorts of things, but I wanted to be here.”

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Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea looks at the scoreboard against the Calgary Stampeders during second half CFL action in Winnipeg Friday, July 18, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Alouettes’ Alexander still hurting — physically and emotionally — from Grey Cup loss

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Alouettes’ Alexander still hurting — physically and emotionally — from Grey Cup loss

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

MONTREAL - Davis Alexander shuffled up to a wall of cameras and microphones with his head down and hands tucked in his pockets, his voice still heavy from the Grey Cup loss.

Less than 48 hours after falling 25-17 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the CFL’s championship game, the Montreal Alouettes quarterback wasn’t ready to turn the page.

Alexander hadn’t rewatched the game film, nor had he answered the messages of support sent his way as he processed the way his historic season ended.

“My heart hurts for our guys, it's definitely going to eat us up for a little bit, eat me up for a little bit,” he said Tuesday at Olympic Stadium. “I'll definitely vow to come back stronger, vow to come back better, but I'm definitely going to let this one marinate and let it soak in for a little bit before I just move on."

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Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

‘Not a dream’: Grey Cup champions Saskatchewan Roughriders hold parade in Regina

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

‘Not a dream’: Grey Cup champions Saskatchewan Roughriders hold parade in Regina

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

REGINA - The Grey Cup champions Saskatchewan Roughriders paraded down the streets of Regina with cheering fans, bringing the CFL's top prize all the way to the legislature.

The crowd, wearing their green and white attire, hooted and rang bells as the players took turns hoisting the cup on the premier's balcony.

They led all in a chant of "Let's go Riders!" while waving flags, drinking beers and smoking cigars in celebration of beating the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 Sunday in Winnipeg.

Head coach Corey Mace told the crowd that everyone involved with the football club contributed to the team's success, and they will continue to push hard to win next year.

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Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris (fourth from the right) speaks to spectators at Mosaic Stadium in Regina on Monday, Nov. 17, 2025. The Roughriders defeated Montreal Alouettes on Sunday to become the 112th Grey Cup champions. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Saskatchewan Roughriders return home, celebrate Grey Cup with cheering fans in Regina

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Saskatchewan Roughriders return home, celebrate Grey Cup with cheering fans in Regina

Jeremy Simes, The Canadian Press 3 minute read Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

REGINA - The Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders are back home, hoisting the CFL's top prize in front of cheering fans outside Regina's Mosaic Stadium.

The crowd, wearing their green and white attire, hooted and rang bells as a pep band played and the players led all in a chant of “Let's go Riders!" and "Rider Nation!"

Riders head coach Corey Mace told the crowd that the team worked hard, and quarterback Trevor Harris said the fans kept him motivated.

The crowd chanted "Two more years!" in a plea to get Harris to stay on the team next season.

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Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Blue Bombers sign GM Walters, head coach O’Shea to three-year contracts

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Blue Bombers sign GM Walters, head coach O’Shea to three-year contracts

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers made it official Monday, announcing three-year contracts for GM Kyle Walters and head coach Mike O’Shea after saying Friday the pair would be back in 2026.

The 2026 season will be O'Shea's 12th at the helm in Winnipeg, and he already stands as the winningest head coach in franchise history with a 117-77 record.

Walters was named the 17th GM in franchise history on Nov. 26, 2013, and has worked with O’Shea since hiring him as head coach a week later.

The 2026 season will be his 16th year with the organization, having previously served as an assistant coach and as assistant general manager.

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Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea looks on during the first half of CFL football action in Regina, Sunday, Aug. 31, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Riders offensive lineman Ferland expects long Grey Cup celebrations in Saskatchewan

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Riders offensive lineman Ferland expects long Grey Cup celebrations in Saskatchewan

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

WINNIPEG - It's going to be a long off-season for Logan Ferland.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders defeated the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 on Sunday night to earn just their fifth Grey Cup title and first since winning it all in Regina in 2013. And the six-foot-four, 300-pound Ferland, the Riders' starting centre from Melfort, Sask., figures there will be plenty of celebrating in his home province for the next little while.

"It will be six months," Ferland said with a chuckle. "It's going to be a long off-season of celebrations."

Winning a CFL championship is special for any player. But a Saskatchewan native doing so as a Roughrider and being able to bring the Grey Cup back for the province's rabid fans to celebrate is next level in terms of accomplishment and a feeling of pride.

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Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

December 5, 2025

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