Samwise CFL Newsletter
Sunday, May 3, 2026
Queen’s Lineman Niklas Henning Signs with Las Vegas Raiders, Bypassing Toronto Argonauts
Queen’s University offensive lineman Niklas Henning, selected second overall by the Toronto Argonauts in the 2026 CFL Canadian Draft on April 28, has signed with the Las Vegas Raiders. Henning, a six-foot-six, 298-pound Canadian prospect, attended the Raiders’ rookie mini-camp on May 1 through May 3 and elected to sign an NFL contract, foregoing his CFL draft rights. His combine profile was exceptional, with the farthest broad jump among offensive linemen and a 40-yard dash time in the top two, with most measurables ranking in the 90th percentile. The Argonauts lose their top Canadian selection from the 2026 draft.
Sources: 3DownNation, TSN
CFL General Managers Warn Compressed 2027 Offseason Calendar Creates Draft-Day Dilemma
Nine CFL general managers have raised concerns about the league’s decision to move the regular season start to Victoria Day weekend beginning in 2027, with the condensed timeline creating significant complications for football operations. The change means the 2027 Canadian Draft will occur April 13 — two weeks before the NFL Draft concludes — leaving teams choosing players whose NFL futures remain unclear. Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters said the new calendar will make the process “extremely more difficult,” as rookies are expected to report April 21 and training camps open April 24, leaving almost no time to absorb NFL draft results.
Sources: 3DownNation
Exclusive: Clarence Hicks Signs Three-Year Extension Worth $221,000 Per Year with Calgary Stampeders
Exclusive details from 3DownNation reveal that defensive lineman Clarence Hicks has signed a three-year contract extension with the Calgary Stampeders through the 2028 season. The 27-year-old will earn $221,000 in hard money in 2026, including a $100,000 signing bonus, plus per-game active allotments and up to $20,000 in statistical and award incentives. The West Division all-star recorded 28 defensive tackles and 12 sacks in 18 regular-season games in 2025, his sack total ranking third-most in the CFL. Hicks had attracted interest from the Kansas City Chiefs during the off-season before re-committing to Calgary through 2028.
Sources: 3DownNation
Winnipeg Blue Bombers Add Three American Edge Rushers Ahead of Training Camp
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed three American defensive linemen on Saturday — Eric Black, Antoineo Harris, and David Reese — reinforcing their pass-rush depth ahead of the May 10 training camp opening. Black, a six-foot-four, 247-pound defender from the University at Buffalo and Stony Brook University, has prior CFL experience with Edmonton, Saskatchewan, and Ottawa. Harris, six-foot-three and 253 pounds, wrapped up his college career at the University of Connecticut in 2025, recording 30 total tackles, three tackles for loss, and two sacks across 13 games. Reese rounds out the trio as Winnipeg builds its defensive line depth chart.
Sources: 3DownNation
Analysis: CFL’s Expanded 2027 Grey Cup Playoff Format Passes the Integrity Test
The CFL’s expanded 2027 playoff format, which will see eight of nine teams qualify for the postseason, has drawn qualified praise for protecting competitive integrity while generating significant financial benefits for players and franchises. Commissioner Stewart Johnston and CFLPA Executive Director David Mackie jointly announced the changes April 28, presenting them as a shared win for both parties. The new format introduces Division Showdown matchups between each division’s top two teams, and Play-In Games seeded fifth through eighth, with postseason re-seeding ensuring competitive matchups regardless of divisional affiliation. Four additional playoff games extend late-season stakes for more teams across the league.
Sources: 3DownNation, CFL.ca
Calgary Stampeders Sign First-Round Pick Eric Rascoe and Six Others from 2026 Draft Class
The Calgary Stampeders have signed first-round Canadian Draft pick Eric Rascoe along with six other members of their 2026 draft class ahead of training camp opening on May 10. Rascoe, a linebacker from Angelo State who qualifies for Canadian designation through his mother, a Toronto native, was selected to partner with veteran linebacker Micah Teitz. The full class also includes receivers Jesulayomi Ojutalayo and Matt Sibley, defensive linemen Tristan Marois and Steven Kpehe, and offensive linemen Mitchel Schechinger and Jack Warrack. Calgary has now signed all of its 2026 Canadian Draft selections in advance of camp.
Sources: 3DownNation
Calgary Stampeders Place Anthony Federico on Retired List, Sign Five New Players
The Calgary Stampeders have moved Anthony Federico to the retired list and signed five additional players as the team reshapes its roster ahead of the May 10 training camp opening. Federico played his CFL career with Calgary. The moves are part of the Stampeders’ ongoing pre-camp roster construction, a process that has also included signing their full 2026 Canadian Draft class headlined by first-round linebacker Eric Rascoe, and locking up West Division all-star defensive lineman Clarence Hicks to a three-year extension. Calgary has been one of the most active teams in the CFL during the pre-camp offseason period.
Sources: 3DownNation
Eastern Conference
East Division — Pre-Season (Regular season begins June 4)
1. Montreal Alouettes — 0 pts (0-0-0)
2. Toronto Argonauts — 0 pts (0-0-0)
3. Hamilton Tiger-Cats — 0 pts (0-0-0)
4. Ottawa Redblacks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Western Conference
West Division — Pre-Season (Regular season begins June 4)
1. Saskatchewan Roughriders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
2. Winnipeg Blue Bombers — 0 pts (0-0-0)
3. Calgary Stampeders — 0 pts (0-0-0)
4. BC Lions — 0 pts (0-0-0)
5. Edmonton Elks — 0 pts (0-0-0)
Curated by JD · samwise.agency
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