TSN and SportsCage analyst Glen Suitor likes the Saskatchewan Roughriders adding veteran Mike Rose.
"That is an excellent signing because he is such a skilled defensive lineman that can play both inside or out," Suitor explained on the SportsCage. "He's going to have a chip on his shoulder, especially when they play Calgary. It's going to be one of these: 'Let me show you again why I've been an all-star in this league.'"
It's worth noting, the Green and White ranked fourth in the CFL with 38 sacks last season. Meanwhile, Rose was released by the Calgary Stampeders on January 27 prior to a $37,000 offseason roster bonus on February 1, as reported by 3DownNation insider Justin Dunk.
The six-foot-one, 270-pound defensive lineman spent his first seven years in the CFL with the Stamps from 2017 through 2024. Last season, Rose played all 18 regular season games, recording 19 defensive tackles, six sacks and one interception returned for a touchdown. He is a three-time CFL all-star and won a Grey Cup in 2018 with Calgary. Rose knows Riders' head coach Corey Mace from when he was his defensive line coach from 2016 to 2021.
The CFL free agent communication window is open and continues until Sunday, February 9. Players with expiriing contracts can talk to other teams and can officially sign when free agency the market opens on Tuesday, February 11. The Roughriders have agreed to terms with quarterback Tommy Stevens, according to 3DownNation insider Justin Dunk.
"I think Tommy Stevens still has a future. If you look at him as a possible guy down the road, he's not there yet," Suitor said. "A couple of weeks ago, we talked about that third guy having potential to be a future starter, young in age, could do your short yardage work and really they have that guy now in Tommy Stevens."
The Indianapolis, Indiana native originally started his professional football career in the NFL. He was selected in the seventh round, 240th overall by the New Orleans Saints in 2020. He spent some time on the Carolina Panthers practice roster in 2020, then went to the New York Giants in 2021.
When Stevens came to Canada it was with the Stampeders from 2022 through 2024.The six-foot-four, 245-pound QB was primarily used in short-yardage situations. During the 2024 CFL season, he played all 18 regular season games, rushing for 237 yards on 60 carries and added 10 touchdowns.
