A while ago, I made an article about one must-keep free agent for every CFL team. I'm going to re-visit that article and score myself out of 9 based on how many free agents I got right. Here are the rules.
0 Points: Incorrect, free agent left.
0.5 Points: Free agent stayed, other free agent of higher caliber at same position signed.
1 Point: Correct, free agent stayed.
BC LIONS: MATTHEU BETTS (0 PTS)
Although many BC Lions fans would have wanted the SackMaster to stay in the rocky mountains, Betts left for bluer pastures with a different Lions team, that being the Detroit Lions. A well deserved opportunity, for sure, but all Lions fans are wishing he stuck around. Betts marks the second all-star to leave the Lions for the NFL in two years, with 2022 being Nathan Rourke.
EDMONTON ELKS: A.C. LEONARD (0 PTS)
The Elks just didn't re-sign A.C. Leonard after free agency. No other team has signed him (yet), so he remains a UFA until someone picks him up. He only spent one season with the Elks, but it appears it may have been his last. I'm 0 for 2 so far.
CALGARY STAMPEDERS: MICAH AWE (1 PT)
BOOM! My first correct prediction (albeit two teams in). The Stamps brought the absolute stud linebacker back, and he has a new number. Awe will wear number 7 for the Stamps in 2024. If he plays a bit less dirty next year, we can expect another absolutely outstanding season from Awe.
SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS: JAMAL MORROW (0 PTS)
The Riders did not, in fact, re-sign Morrow, instead opting to sign free agent star running back AJ Ouellette. Everyone in Riderville is absolutely over the moon to have Ouellette, and they should be. He is one of the hardest workers in the CFL. However, it seems they may have dodged a bullet with Morrow. After allegedly agreeing to terms with the Stamps, Morrow failed a physical. If the Riders had stuck with him, they may have had to only run Frankie Hickson. Hickson is perfectly capable, but I'm sure everyone in Saskatchewan is thrilled to have Ouellette.
WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS: BRADY OLIVERA (1 PT)
The Bombers knocked it out of the park by re-signing two of their most important free agents, in Dalton Schoen and CFL MOC Brady Olivera. He's set to have another incredible season in 2024 if he keeps playing the way he's playing. He has a very bright future ahead of him.
HAMILTON TIGER-CATS: STAVROS KATSANTONIS (1 PT)
Yes, this is basically a freebie because he already re-signed when I made the first article. But he was ABSOLUTELY a must-sign. He is a shut-down safety who will dominate the Ti-Cats backfield in 2024.
TORONTO ARGONAUTS: AJ OUELLETTE (0 PTS)
Ouellette left the Argos for greener pastures in free agency, going to the Riders. He won a Grey Cup in Mosaic, and I'm sure he wants to win another one in Regina soon. The fans are over the moon to have Ouellette in Sask.
OTTAWA REDBLACKS: LORENZO MAULDIN (1 PT)
Lozo will be staying with the Redblacks through 2024. He's an amazing defensive lineman who took home an award at the CFL awards in 2022 (which I attended!!!) and delivered one of the best speeches I've ever heard. Lozo should be exciting along with Adarius Pickett on that Redblacks defense in 2024.
MONTREAL ALOUETTES: CODY FAJARDO (1 PT)
Fajardo was also already re-signed when I made the last article, but even if he wasn't, I'm sure he would have been re-signed right away by the Als. He really shone in his new role with the Als after being run out of Riderville. Having Fajardo should put a smile on every Alouettes fan.
FINAL SCORE: 5/9, 55%
By Bruce Chimirri-Olson
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