The 2026 Canadian Football League season is just a little over a month away. The defending Grey Cup Champion Saskatchewan Roughriders aren’t rebuilding, they’re reloading, and the rest of the Canadian Football League has been put on notice.
Coming off a 2025 championship season, Saskatchewan looked to get even stronger. So, they used the 2026 CFL Draft to add more talent and depth. Malcolm Bell brings size and skill to the secondary and could be a major factor when he arrives. Receiver Dylan Djete adds elite speed and upside, even as an undersized target who surprised many by going early.
Saskatchewan Roughriders CFL Draft Success
The team didn’t stop there. Offensive lineman Darius Bell, linebacker Osasare Odemwingie, and the rest of the class bring depth and talent across key positions. More importantly, the Riders have a group talented of young talented players. With these new additions, the team fills gaps while raising the team’s overall potential.
After a 12–6 season capped by a win in the Grey Cup. The Saskatchewan Roughriders return with their identity intact. They are no longer chasing a title, they are the standard. Much of the championship core is back. Including 22 players from the Grey Cup roster who signed extensions. That group features four All-CFL selections, along with quarterback Trevor Harris and running back AJ Ouellette.
That level of connection matters, because it allows Saskatchewan to build on their success instead of starting over. As a result, the team has a recipe for championship football. At the same time, the system stays the same, the chemistry stays strong, and the expectations stay high. Exactly what you want heading into a new football season.
“We have experience, we got a lot of guys returning, we know our jobs, and this brotherhood is going to be a force for another year,” Ouellette said during the league’s offseason content capture in April.
Furthermore, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have a clear recipe for another winning season. With a steady hand at quarterback, a disruptive defense, and a roster built on trust and continuity, the Roughriders once again have all the pieces in place. As a result, Saskatchewan is well positioned to make another serious title run. The message is simple: if you want the Grey Cup in 2026, you’ll have to take it from the Roughriders.
