The Saskatchewan Roughriders added a trio of wide receivers to their roster on the opening day of free agency. The Riders added former Montreal Alouettes star receiver Jake Wieneke along with Juwan Brescacin & Shawn Bane Jr.
Wieneke followed his teammate quarterback Trevor Harris from Montreal to Saskatchewan and hopes to continue the strong connection the duo showed with the Alouettes during their time together in La Belle Province. The 28-year-old WR finished 2022 with 2 touchdowns and 589 yards.
Wieneke had a breakout type year in 2021 with the Alouettes going for nearly 1000 receiving yards (898 yards) and 11 touchdowns. The Roughriders will surely be hoping that he can recapture some of that 2021 magic and duplicate it in Regina. Having a familiar quarterback in Trevor Harris might just allow that to happen.
Mississauga native Juwan Brescacin also signed with the Roughriders on Valentine’s Day. The 30-year-old WR most recently played for the reigning Grey Cup champion, Toronto Argonauts from 2020 – 2023. Brescacin played in 6 games in 2022 recording 6 receptions for 53 yards and 1 touchdown.
Shawn Bane Jr. formerly of the Calgary Stampeders rounded out the Roughriders wide receiver free agent frenzy on the opening day of free agency. Bane Jr. played in 9 games in 2022 and recorded 21 receptions for 288 yards and 1 touchdown. Bane Jr. proved to be a bit of a special teams’ specialist with Calgary.
“On special teams, the 27-year-old speedster logged nine punt returns for 80 yards and seven kickoff returns for 156 yards.”
via Riderville.com
The trio of wide receivers will give the Roughriders some depth at the position. Wieneke in particular gives the Riders’ offense some much needed star power following the loss of Shaq Evans to the Ottawa Redblacks. The “Shaq Attack” was a fan favourite in Saskatchewan but “Touchdown Jake” should quickly make Roughriders’ fans forget about Evans.
