According to veteran kicker Lirim Hajrullahu, the Saskatchewan Roughriders tried to trade for him earlier this season, though the Toronto Argonauts promptly shut down those talks.
“I got word of it and I got told about it, but they said they quickly declined (the trade talks),” Hajrullahu told 3DownNation. “It would be hard for me to leave Toronto. I have such a great opportunity with football and my post-football career with Richter, so right now would not make sense. We just have a newborn as well. I’m away for maybe a day or two and I feel like I’ve missed the whole world.”
The native of Kosovo, who was raised in St. Catharines, Ont., connected on 57-of-64 field goal attempts for an average of 89.1 percent this season for the Argonauts. He was selected to the All-CFL team for the first time in his career and was named the East Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Special Teams Player.
Even if Toronto had wanted to execute a trade, Hajrullahu indicated he wouldn’t have reported to Regina for personal reasons. He and his wife welcomed their first child earlier this year and he works off the field as a business development lead. He’s under contract for 2026 and wouldn’t have been willing to honour that contract in Saskatchewan.
“It’s humbling to know that they’d want to trade for me, but at the same time, my family’s (in Toronto), my work’s there, too, and it’s kind of hard to leave this group of guys that we had,” he said. “Knowing that I have one more year with these guys, it wouldn’t have worked out. I probably would have had to retire, so I’m glad that I’m still with Toronto.”
Saskatchewan kicker Brett Lauther has had the worst season of his career in 2025, making 39-of-54 field goal attempts for an average of 72.2 percent. Five of Lauther’s misses have come from 50-plus yards, though four of them occurred from under 40 yards. The native of Truro, N.S. also made only 91.2 percent of his convert attempts, which was the lowest mark among all CFL kickers (min. five attempts).
Lauther was solid during the final third of the season, however, connecting on 17-of-20 field goal attempts after Week 12. The turnaround might have been due at least in part to words of encouragement Hajrullahu provided to his longtime kicking colleague.
“Brett’s fine. We have those lumps once in a while and I spoke to him and kind of helped him out in any ways I can,” said Hajrullahu. “(Lauther and I entered the CFL) together and we always speak. I’ve been through that position myself and it’s just matter of how fast can you get out of it. Since then, he’s been kicking well, so maybe it’s something I said.”
Though there wasn’t a deal to be made between the Roughriders and Argonauts involving Hajrullahu, Saskatchewan was still able to qualify for the Grey Cup for the first time in 12 years. Lauther went a perfect three-for-three on field goals and two-for-two on converts in the West Final and he’ll look to roll that success into this year’s championship game.
“It’s humbling to know that (the Roughriders wanted me). It would have changed my whole life,” said Hajrullahu. “I wish them the best of luck on Sunday.”
The Toronto Argonauts finished third in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 5-13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Franchise quarterback Chad Kelly was unable to play all season due to a fractured leg he suffered in the East Final the previous year, giving way to Nick Arbuckle, who threw for 4,370 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions to be named the team’s candidate for Most Outstanding Player.
The Argonauts ranked seventh in net offence, sixth in net defence, and seventh with a turnover differential of minus-eight. The club’s leading rusher was Spencer Brown with 314 yards, leading receiver was Dejon Brissett with 907 yards, and leading tackler was Cameron Judge with 79 tackles. Toronto ranked ninth in attendance with average crowds of 15,109, which was a 0.1 percent decrease from the previous year.
