CFL – Winnipeg Free Press

Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Trevor Harris hoists the Grey Cup after Saskatchewan defeated the Montreal Alouettes during the 112th CFL Grey Cup, in Winnipeg, on Sunday, November 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Riders roll to Grey Cup

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025

The home of the Blue and Gold was littered with green and white confetti on Sunday.

Sorry Bomberland, sometimes nightmares do become reality.

After watching Winnipeg represent the West in five straight title games, the Saskatchewan Roughriders responded by walking into their Prairie rival’s backyard and beating the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 to capture the 112th Grey Cup.

“It feels even better to do it here,” said Riders defensive tackle Micah Johnson.

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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.

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.

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

Bombers president/CEO Miller receives Commissioner’s Award

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Preview

Bombers president/CEO Miller receives Commissioner’s Award

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Winnipeg Blue Bombers president and CEO Wade Miller was named the recipient of the CFL’s Commissioner Award prior to Grey Cup kickoff.

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Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Bombers president/CEO Miller receives Commissioner’s Award

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

‘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

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

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 6 minute read Preview

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

Daniel Rainbird, The Canadian Press 6 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

Saskatchewan Roughriders general manager Jeremy O'Day looks on before CFL football action against the Calgary Stampeders in Regina, Saturday, July 15, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Alouettes agonize over coming up just short in tight Grey Cup ‘battle’

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Alouettes agonize over coming up just short in tight Grey Cup ‘battle’

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

WINNIPEG - Davis Alexander's perfect record is no more.

The Montreal Alouettes quarterback entered Sunday's Grey Cup game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders with a 13-0 mark as a starter.

The Roughriders handed him his first loss, a 25-17 defeat in front of a sold-out crowd of 32,343 at Princess Auto Stadium.

“Our guys battled out there, our guys battled for me,” Davis said in a quiet locker room as his teammates gave each other hugs and pats on the back.

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Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Montreal Alouettes' Stevie Scott III (8) is upended by Saskatchewan Roughriders' Micah Johnson (4) during first half CFL football action at the 112th Grey Cup, in Winnipeg on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Former Bombers find more Grey Cup glory with Roughriders

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Former Bombers find more Grey Cup glory with Roughriders

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

When Jermarcus Hardrick left the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to sign with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in February of 2024, his decision went beyond the numbers on the offer sheet.

The then-33-year-old coveted right tackle — who had grown accustomed to long playoff runs and appearances in the Grey Cup, playing in four straight with the Blue and Gold from 2019-2023 — had bought into the words of newly minted head coach Corey Mace and the culture he was trying to build within a franchise that hadn’t sniffed the big game in more than a decade.

“They said they were looking to start something new,” Hardrick said. “They wanted to play a physical brand of ball, and they wanted to have fun. Sounded like everything I wanted to do.”

On Sunday, approaching two years since he agreed on a pact to become the foundational pillar of another franchise, Hardrick and Mace’s plans delivered.

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Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025

Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick smiles during a walkthrough ahead of the 112th CFL Grey Cup, in Winnipeg, on Saturday, November 15, 2025. (Darryl Dyck / The Canadian Press)

‘Fan-demonium:’ Saskatchewan Roughriders celebrate ending 12-year Grey Cup drought

Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

‘Fan-demonium:’ Saskatchewan Roughriders celebrate ending 12-year Grey Cup drought

Brittany Hobson, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

WINNIPEG - The Saskatchewan Roughriders' first Grey Cup win in 12 years had green confetti raining down on the field at Winnipeg's Princess Auto Stadium and green-and-white clad fans spilling out onto the street in pure merriment.

The Prairie team beat the Montreal Alouettes 25-17 to take the cup on Sunday, registering their fifth Grey Cup title and the first since winning in 2013 in Regina.

"In 12 years, we so needed this," said Riders fan Denise Dagenais, sporting a green cowboy hat and jersey as she left the stadium.

Dagenais, along with her group of superfans, some wearing green-and-white face paint and decked out in green beaded necklaces, all agreed the game was, in their words, "electric and lightning."

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Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Prime Minister Mark Carney does the coin toss prior to the Montreal Alouettes taking on the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the 112th Grey Cup, in Winnipeg on Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Frank Gunn

Maas expects Alouettes to have full playbook with Alexander in Grey Cup

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Maas expects Alouettes to have full playbook with Alexander in Grey Cup

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025

WINNIPEG - Jason Maas anticipates pretty much having a full playbook for the Grey Cup game.

The biggest story this week has been the health of quarterback Davis Alexander after he tweaked his left hamstring in Montreal's East Division final win in Hamilton. Alexander has received treatment throughout this week and will start the Grey Cup game versus the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

On Saturday, Alexander declared he'd be at between 75 and 90 per cent for the game. When asked during his pre-game availability Sunday what he'd grade Alexander's recovery, Maas wouldn't provide a specific number.

"I just know he's ready to play and we're going to go from there," Maas said. "I've been very pleased with the progress he has made and with what our team has done for him to get him ready and prepared to play.

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Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025

November 23, 2025

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