Roughriders re-sign American defensive lineman Anthony Lanier

Photo courtesy: Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have re-signed American defensive lineman Anthony Lanier, per sources.

It’s a one-year contract for the 2023 season worth $250,000 in hard money. That makes the 29-year-old the highest-paid American defensive player in the CFL. He gets a $100,000 signing bonus to stay in Saskatchewan. There were a handful of CFL teams after him when the league’s negotiating window opened on Sunday, February 5 at noon eastern time.

Lanier had a breakout CFL season in 2022, recording 19 tackles, eight sacks and two forced fumbles last year. Through 21 games with the Riders, he has notched 32 tackles, nine sacks and two forced fumbles. The six-foot-six, 285-pound Lanier came north of the border for the 2021 campaign after spending parts of five seasons in the NFL.

He signed with the Washington Football Team as an undrafted free agent in 2016 and made 10 tackles, knocked down six passes, recorded five sacks, five tackles for loss, one forced fumble and two fumble recoveries in 15 games for the Commanders. His first career sack came against quarterback Drew Brees.

In 2018, Lanier signed with the Los Angeles Chargers where he stayed for two seasons. The Georgia native spent parts of the 2020 season with the Kansas City Chiefs and New Orleans Saints. He earned over $1.25 million while playing in the NFL. 

Lanier played NCAA football for Alabama A&M University. As a senior captain in 2015, he made 29 tackles, six tackles for a loss, three sacks, one forced fumble, four quarterback hurries and one pass break-up over eight games. During his junior year, he was second on the team with 54 tackles while adding 18 tackles for loss, four pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and blocked one kick. A two-sport athlete, Lanier also suited up for the Bulldogs basketball team.  

In a short time, Lanier has made himself an impact player in the CFL and the Roughriders pay up to keep him in green and white.