The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have started the 2025 CFL Free Agency period on the right foot. Several reports announced that the Tiger-Cats had secured contract agreements with several free agents, but those agreements were not official until today when the free agency period officially started.
On the first day of free agency, the Tiger-Cats announced they had officially signed five free agents: DB DaShaun Amos, OL Liam Dobson, OL Jakub Szott, DL Miles Fox, and LB Brian Cole II. Jakub Szott was the only unexpected free agent signing today; adding Szott addresses National depth on the Tiger-Cats offensive line. Another surprise was the absence of an announcement about signing wide receiver Kenny Lawler. Among Tiger-Cats fans, there is speculation that the Tiger-Cats are waiting on Lawler to complete a medical exam. Still, Justin Dunk of 3 Down Nation released a tweet reporting the Calgary Stampeders offered Lawler a contract valued at approximately $250,000.
Reviewing the Tiger-Cats Secured Free Agents
On Day 1 of Free Agency, the Tiger-Cats’ greatest roster needs were on their offensive line and defensive front seven. By signing two offensive linemen, a defensive lineman, and a linebacker, Hamilton has made the right moves to close the gap left by several free agents that the Tiger-Cats elected not to re-sign, as can be seen on the CFL Transactions list.
National offensive lineman Jakub Szott returns to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on a one-year contract after being released by the Tiger-Cats at the end of training camp in 2024. After being released, Szott played in seven games for the Edmonton Elks. Szott played on the Tiger-Cats offensive line in 2023 after coming to Hamilton after starting the season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The 6’1″, 290-pound Szott is a native of Toronto, Ontario, and he began his CFL career with the Ottawa Redblacks after being drafted in the 4th round of the 2020 CFL Draft by the Redblacks.
Another National offensive lineman, Liam Dobson, comes to Hamilton on a two-year contract after playing in 52 games with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2022 until 2024. The 6’3″, 315-pound native of Ottawa, Ontario, was drafted by the Blue Bombers in the first round of the 2021 CFL Draft. During the 2024 season, Dobson played left guard for Winnipeg and played in three Grey Cup championship games for the Blue Bombers during his three-year stay in Winnipeg.
American defensive lineman Miles Fox comes to Hamilton on a two-year contract after spending three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2022 until 2024. In 2024, Fox played in three regular-season games for the Blue Bombers, recording three tackles, but he also contributed for the Bombers during the West Final and Grey Cup championship games. After the 6’1″, 300-pound defensive lineman started his CFL career with the BC Lions in 2022, Hamilton is the third team that Fox has played for in the CFL.
American linebacker Brian Cole II comes to the Tiger-Cats after playing three seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers from 2022 until 2024. During his time in Winnipeg, Cole II played in 31 games, including 11 games in 2024, when he recorded 27 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, and forced one fumble. Cole II is a former NFL draft pick; the Minnesota Vikings selected Cole II in the 7th round of the 2020 NFL draft, and since then, he has spent time with the Vikings (2020), the Miami Dolphins (2020-21), the Carolina Panthers (2021), and the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Edmonton Elks in 2022.
American defensive back DaShaun Amos also signed with Hamilton. He comes to the Tiger-Cats with a wealth of Grey Cup championship experience, having won three championships with the Toronto Argonauts and the Calgary Stampeders. In 2024, Amos played in 18 games for the Toronto Argonauts, recording 25 defensive tackles, five interceptions, and one defensive touchdown. During his six-season CFL career, Amos has played 76 games, registering 176 total tackles, 168 defensive tackles, 16 interceptions, forced a fumble, and scored two defensive touchdowns.
O’Leary-Orange Returns to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for 2025
In addition to adding several free agents from other teams, Hamilton also signed one of their own: national wide receiver Brendan O’Leary-Orange. During the 2024 season, O’Leary-Orange played in nine games for Hamilton, catching 16 passes for 335 yards and a touchdown. The 6’4″, 205-pound native of Toronto, Ontario, signed as a free agent with the Tiger-Cats in 2024 after playing three seasons for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Blue Bombers selected O’Leary-Orange in the 4th round of the 2020 CFL Draft. O’Leary-Orange played in 42 games for Winnipeg and has caught 41 passes for 679 yards and three touchdowns during his CFL career. O’Leary contributed to the Blue Bombers’ winning efforts in 2021 when they won the Grey Cup championship against the Tiger-Cats.
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