Marq your calendars: Calgary Stampeders re-sign former NFL LB Marquel Lee

The Calgary Stampeders have re-signed American linebacker Marquel Lee ahead of the opening of free agency on February 10.

The 30-year-old was named Calgary’s starting middle linebacker in 2025, but made just six starts due to injury. In that span, he collected 26 defensive tackles, including two tackles for loss, and added a pass knockdown.

Lee originally joined the Stampeders late in the 2024 season and appeared in three games, making five defensive tackles and three special teams tackles.

The Wake Forest product spent four seasons in the NFL and appeared in 45 games with the Las Vegas Raiders, making 115 tackles. He also spent time with the Buffalo Bills and played one season with the United Football League’s Arlington Renegades, where he registered 51 tackles in 10 games.

In college, the six-foot-three, 234-pound defender played 48 games over four seasons with the Demon Deacons and earned first-team All-ACC honours as a senior. He started 37 of 48 career games at Wake Forest, accumulating 291 tackles and 14.5 sacks.

The Calgary Stampeders finished third in the West Division standings in 2025 with an 11-7 record but lost the West Semi-Final to the B.C. Lions. Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 4,247 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions over 17 regular-season starts, posting a 11-6 record.

The Stampeders ranked fourth in net offence, seventh in net defence, and second with a turnover differential of plus-nine. Dedrick Mills won the CFL’s rushing title with 1,409 yards, while the team’s leading receiver was Dominique Rhymes with 886 yards, and the leading tackler was Jacob Roberts with 102 tackles. Calgary finished fifth in attendance with average crowds of 22,295, which was a 3.5 percent increase from the previous year.