With rookie camps completed and training camps already underway, CFL football is officially back.
As teams start their preparation for the 2026 season beginning June 4 on TSN, every franchise has one big question heading into the new campaign that needs to be answered.
For the Calgary Stampeders, the main question surrounding the team is how will they replace the three big-time talents that have moved onto the NFL.
Impact defenders in defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings and linebacker Jacob Roberts, as well as former first-overall pick in receiver Damien Alford all bolted down south following a season that saw Calgary return to the playoffs.
After the team’s streak of 18 consecutive postseason appearances was snapped in 2024, the Stamps reloaded with an overhauled roster and finished with an 11-7 record in 2025 – those 11 wins matched the Stamps’ win total from the past two seasons combined – and returned to the playoffs.
Now with those three having moved on, as well as other losses like receiver Dominique Rhymes and defenders Lorenzo Mauldin IV and Adam Bighill, all to retirement, Calgary will try to iron out their replacements in hopes of making their 20th playoff appearance in 21 years.
Starting offensively, where they have more than addressed the wideout position by snatching Canadian Dejon Brissett from the Toronto Argonauts and drafting Jesulayomi Ojutalayo and Matt Sibley.
The 29-year-old Brissett is coming off the best season of his career in 2025, posting 65 catches for 907 yards and three touchdowns. The Mississauga, Ont. native spent five seasons with the Argos after being drafted second overall in the 2020 CFL Draft, claiming two Grey Cups and the Most Valuable Canadian in the big game in 2024.
With Clark Barnes, Erik Brooks, Reggie Begelton, and Tevin Jones all still in the receiver room, the rookie wideouts can come along slowly while offering great depth in the meantime.
The receiver question may be answered, but Calgary isn’t as insulated to replace the losses of Roberts and Hutchings on the defensive side of the ball, as it appears the team may be leaning towards going Canadian in the linebacking core.
Micah Teitz returns for a third year in Cowtown as the 29-year-old has played a significant number of starting snaps throughout his career. In the past two seasons with Calgary, Teitz has recorded 58 tackles and one interception, with his value coming as a run defender. The team also still has Kaylyn St-Cyr under contract, while they also just spent the sixth-overall pick on Eric Rascoe.
The linebacker was a three-time first-team All-Conference selection at Division II Angelo State after three very productive seasons and recorded 39 tackles in five games with the San Antonio Gunslingers of the Indoor Football League in 2025. He has athleticism and pro experience, meaning he could be in the lineup sooner rather than later.
As for defensive tackle, Charles Wiley is someone who could help fill the void next to Miles Brown. Hutchings’ superpower was his ability to force pressure and generate sacks from the interior. Wiley can do similar things, as he has flashed as a pass rusher in his 800 or so snaps over the past two seasons in Calgary.
After the Stampeders returned to the postseason after largely turning over their roster a year ago, they’ll have to now slot in new faces into big-time roles as they look to once again reach the playoffs like they have for the majority of the past two decades.
