Saskatchewan Roughriders pending free agent receiver Mitchell Picton isn't concerned about the situation and the chances he might not be in Green and White for the 2025 CFL season.
"I hope my game speaks for itself," Picton told the SportsCage. "I think I put out a fair amount of high-level film. I let that all play out, try not to worry about it too much and see where things go."
The CFL's free agent communication window opens on Sunday, February 2 and players can officially sign with other teams on Tuesday, February 11. According to Picton, he has not had contract discussions with the Riders.
"That hasn't happened yet," Picton said. "We leave that to my agent and Jeremy O'Day and see where that goes."
Last season, he played 12 games, recording 16 receptions for 185 yards and two touchdowns. The Regina native was selected by Saskatchewan in the fifth round, 37th overall during the 2017 CFL Draft.
Among his teammates, Picton appreciates and knows they hold him in high regard, especially if the game is on the line.
"It means a lot and it's something that I certainly pride myself on. You get your opportunities when they come and you have to make the most of them," Picton explained. "You hear a lot of outside noise, people always have their opinions, but when it comes from guys in the locker room, it means a lot to have the respect of your teammates."
Picton will participate in the Roughrider Foundation Winter Classic hockey game on February 1 and detailed his style of play on the ice.
"When I played hockey, I scored a lot of goals inside of the blue paint," Picton said. "I always loved playing hockey; decent enough player, I think I can get around the ice but certainly not break any records or anything like that.”
When it comes to this off-season, Picton splits time between working out with the team's strength and conditioning coach Dan Farthing and helping the Riders Foundation mental health presentation and reading program.
"We're back in the gym now, we do a lot of training with Dan Farthing, he does a great job with us," Picton said. "A lot of speed training right now and then a lot of lifting as well, we do a bunch of that. We do a ton of work with the Roughrider Foundation in schools across Saskatchewan with the mental health presentations and the Rider Reading Program. We're actually spending two, three, four days a week in schools across the province."
Recently, his teammate Ajou Ajou signed with the Indianapolis Colts.
"He's got all the tools," Picton said. "We're all super excited for him getting a shot down south, and things are going to go well for him."
In Picton's own words, he describes himself as a 'delusional' Toronto Maple Leafs fan. However, he is indifferent to his Canadian pride if he wants American-born Auston Matthews playing in the Four Nations Face-Off tournament.
"If he's healthy and playing well, go to the Four Nations," Picton said. "To have him take that tournament off and give Canada a break wouldn't be the worst thing in the world either."
