9:35 a.m. EST — If you’re not already, be sure to follow our Instagram page. It’s growing fast and we’ve got slick graphics with all the latest news over there.

9:22 a.m. EST — Tre Ford recently told 3DownNation why he chose the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after being released by the Edmonton Elks. Check out the full podcast episode here.

9:05 a.m. EST — Justin Dunk, John Hodge, and JC Abbott analyzed all the CFL’s reported signings and more on the latest edition of the 3DownNation Podcast. Check out the episode here and don’t forget to subscribe on your favourite podcast provider.

8:44 a.m. EST — Many of 3DownNation‘s top 50 pending free agents still do not have agreements for 2026, including Kurleigh Gittens Jr., Dominique Rhymes, McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Jovan Santos-Knox, Anthony Lanier II, Joshua Coker, William Stanback, Sean McEwen, Dalton Schoen, Lorenzo Mauldin IV, and C.J. Avery.

8:23 a.m. EST — Follow our news breakers Justin Dunk, John Hodge, and JC Abbott on Twitter/X and Bluesky so you don’t miss anything all day long.

8:03 a.m. EST — It’s time for the first coffee of the day. Never underestimate the importance of coffee during CFL free agency.

8:00 a.m. EST — Pending free agents were able to negotiate with teams across the CFL during the “legal tampering” window from February 1 to 8. Many agreements were reached during this time, though they can’t become official until free agency opens on Tuesday at 12:00 p.m. EST.

Offensive players with agreements in place include Jake Maier (Ottawa), Taylor Powell (Edmonton), Dustin Crum (Montreal), Greg Bell (Ottawa), Dejon Brissett (Calgary), Joe Robustelli (Edmonton), Tommy Nield (Winnipeg), Ayden Eberhardt (Ottawa), Jerreth Sterns (Montreal), Brendan O’Leary-Orange (Edmonton), Tyson Middlemost (Hamilton), Jarell Broxton (Winnipeg), Coulter Woodmansey (Edmonton), Jordan Murray (Edmonton), Brendan Bordner (Edmonton), and Eric Lofton (Hamilton).

Defensive players with agreements in place include Dylan Wynn (Ottawa), Malik Carney (Edmonton), Habakkuk Baldonado (Ottawa), James Vaughters (Saskatchewan), Jonathan Kongbo (Toronto), Kene Onyeka (Hamilton), A.J. Allen (Ottawa), Brian Cole II (Ottawa), Michael Brodrique (Ottawa), C.J. Reavis (Ottawa), Jonathan Moxey (Winnipeg), DaShaun Amos (Toronto), Demerio Houston (Ottawa), Devodric Bynum (Calgary), Scott Hutter (Ottawa), and Robert Priester (Toronto).

Some players entered free agency earlier and have already officially signed with new teams. These include Darnell Sankey (B.C.), Chris Kolankowski (Hamilton), Casey Sayles (B.C.), Adarius Pickett (Toronto), Peyton Logan (Toronto), DeWayne Hendrix (Toronto), Dakoda Shepley (Toronto), Tim White (Winnipeg), Austin Mack (Edmonton), DeVonte Dedmon (Montreal), Tre Ford (Hamilton), Deonta McMahon (Calgary), Jake Ceresna (Winnipeg), Josh Woods (Saskatchewan), Wynton McManis (Hamilton), and James Letcher Jr. (Saskatchewan).

Welcome to the 3DownNation 2026 CFL free agency live blog!

We will be around all day to provide the latest news, insight, analysis, and rumours surrounding CFL free agency. We’ve done many live blogs in the past and we’re excited you’ve chosen to join us for this year’s edition. There’s lots of fun to be had over the day, so let’s get rocking.

The post 2026 CFL free agency: LIVE appeared first on 3DownNation.

The 26-year-old from American Samoa played 17 games in 2025, registering 16 defensive tackles and four quarterback sacks.

Ta’ala was originally selected by the Redblacks with the first overall pick in the 2023 CFL Global Draft. In 47 games over three seasons, he has amassed 29 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, six quarterback sacks and one forced fumble.

The six-foot-two, 305-pound gap plugger played 64 games over five seasons at the University of Hawaii, recording 142 total tackles and four sacks. He was a three-time All-Mountain West honourable mention with the Rainbow Warriors.

The Ottawa Redblacks finished fourth in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 4-14 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Dru Brown went 2-7 over nine starts at quarterback, throwing for 2,389 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Dustin Crum went 2-4 over six starts, throwing for 1,771 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions.

The Redblacks ranked sixth in net offence, fifth in net defence, and ninth with a turnover differential of minus-16. The club’s leading rusher was William Stanback with 698 yards, the leading receiver was Justin Hardy with 1,019 yards, and the leading tackler was Adarius Pickett with 84 tackles. Ottawa finished eighth in attendance with average crowds of 18,136, which was a 4.2 percent decrease from the previous year.

The post Ottawa Redblacks re-sign former first overall CFL Global Draft pick Blessman Ta’ala appeared first on 3DownNation.

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The 32-year-old spent the past two seasons with the Montreal Alouettes. He recorded 20 defensive tackles and one sack in 14 regular-season games last year along with three tackles plus one sack three playoff contests. In 2024, he played in 16 regular-season games, starting 12, while recording 18 defensive tackles.

Wynn has a relationship with Ottawa’s vice president of football operations Shawn Burke as the two spent time together in Hamilton. The six-foot-two, 290-pounder played four seasons for the Tiger-Cats from 2019 through 2023.

The Arlington, Texas native played his first CFL season with the Toronto Argonauts in 2017 following a two-year stint with the Cleveland Browns where he earned around $420,000 USD. He was named All-East Division as a rookie and helped the Argos win the 105th Grey Cup.

Wynn spent two seasons with Toronto and then had a brief stint with the Arizona Hotshots in the Alliance of American Football. He signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in May 2019. That year was his most productive in the CFL, the Concord, California native produced 45 tackles and 11 sacks in 18 regular-season games.

The Oregon State University product has recorded 211 defensive tackles and 30 sacks over 107 career regular-season CFL games.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise; however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.

The post Ottawa Redblacks agree to terms with veteran DL Dylan Wynn: sources appeared first on 3DownNation.

The 27-year-old was selected by the Edmonton Elks in the first round, second overall during the 2023 CFL Draft. He spent three seasons in the Alberta capital, recording 19 special teams tackles, two defensive stops, and one sack in 38 regular-season games.

The six-foot-three, 227-pounder produced a 4.59 time in the 40-yard dash at the 2023 CFL Combine. He added 4.28 shuttle, 7.35 three-cone, 34.5-inch vertical, nine-foot, nine-and-one-eighth broad jump while pushing 225 pounds 17 times on the bench press. The Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Quebec native was the most athletic linebacker in his draft class.

Brodrique played his collegiate football for the University of Montreal. The two-time Quebec conference (RSEQ) all-star registered 68.5 total tackles, 14 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, two pass knockdowns, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one interception in 22 games with the Carabins. He was named a second-team U Sports All-Canadian in 2021.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise; however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.

The post Ottawa Redblacks agree to terms with Canadian linebacker Michael Brodrique: sources appeared first on 3DownNation.

Reavis was named an All-CFL selection for the second consecutive year with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025, producing 61 defensive tackles, two forced fumbles, two sacks, and one interception in 17 games. He moved to safety during the Riders’ Grey Cup run, adding seven tackles through two playoff games.

The 30-year-old first signed with Saskatchewan in 2022, seizing the starting job in his second season. Through 55 CFL games, he has registered 209 tackles, 11 special teams tackles, nine sacks, two interceptions, and six forced fumbles.

The Chester, Virginia native split his collegiate career between Virginia Tech and Marshall University, recording 131 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble, and one interception in 33 combined NCAA games. In between the two schools, Reavis attended East Mississippi Community College for one season, where he was featured on the popular Netflix docuseries Last Chance U.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise; however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.

The post Ottawa Redblacks agree to terms with All-CFL strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis: sources appeared first on 3DownNation.

Baldonado’s set to join Canadian linebacker A.J. Allen in the nation’s capital.

The 26-year-old has spent three CFL seasons with the Green and White. He showed his upside in 2025, recording 17 defensive tackles, four sacks and one forced fumble in 18 regular-season games. Through 36 career games, the rising disruptor has notched 31 defensive tackles, four special teams stops, six sacks and one forced fumble.

Baldonado was selected by the Riders in the second round, 12th overall during 2023 CFL Global Draft after five seasons at the University of Pittsburgh (2018-2022). The Rome, Italy native played 40 games for the Panthers, recording 99 tackles, 22.5 tackles for loss, 15 sacks, two pass knockdowns, two fumble recoveries, one forced fumble, and one blocked punt.

The six-foot-four, 251-pounder earned second-team All-Atlantic Coast Conference honours in 2021 following a nine-sack campaign. He posted 42 combined tackles, 23 solo, forced one fumble and recovered another in his standout junior season with Pittsburgh that year.

Baldonado spent training camp with the New York Giants after signing with the team as an undrafted free agent following the 2023 NFL Draft. In three preseason games for the Giants, he tallied four tackles and one sack, but was released among final roster decisions.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise, however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.

The post Ottawa Redblacks agree to terms with former Riders defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado: sources appeared first on 3DownNation.

Allen produced 87 tackles — fifth-most in the three-down league — four special teams tackles, four sacks, three interceptions, and three forced fumbles in 18 regular-season games for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025.

The 27-year-old recorded two tackles and one sack in the Green and White’s 24-21 West Final win over the B.C. Lions. With one minute and 33 seconds left, Allen shed a Zander Horvath block and stopped Nathan Rourke short on a second and three. That led to a Leos punt as Trevor Harris led a drive and hit Tommy Nield for the game-winning score to send Saskatchewan to the 112th Grey Cup. He made six tackles and one special teams stop in the CFL championship victory.

The Burlington, Ontario native was selected by the Riders in the fourth round, 35th overall during the 2020 CFL Draft. He appeared in 66 games with the team, recording 119 defensive tackles, 51 special teams tackles, four sacks, four interceptions, one returned for a touchdown, and three forced fumbles.

Collegiately, Allen played five seasons at the University of Guelph where he was named the OUA’s Most Outstanding Stand-Up Defensive Player, a first-team All-Canadian and an OUA all-star in 2021. In five seasons with the Gryphons, he amassed 122 tackles, 18 tackles for loss, nine sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise, however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.

Allen was 3DownNation’s fourth-ranked pending free agent. He wrote a statement on social media after agreeing to terms in the nation’s capital.

Rider Nation – thank you.
I just wanted to say thank you.

Y’all gave me an opportunity when you drafted me. Ya’ll gave me an opportunity when I ran down on kick-off in my first game. Y’all gave me an opportunity to make my first tackle, make my first play, get my first sack, and so much more. You guys took me in as a city, as a province and as a team and pushed me to become a better A.J. than I was yesterday, every day.

The love is felt today as it was felt the first time I ran out that tunnel. Words cannot express how truly grateful 1 am to every single person involved in that part of my journey. So this is my attempt to express the same love you have shown me.

Thank you. For the memories, the opportunities, the friends, the lessons, the wins, the losses, and the genuine love you have shown. We are champions forever.
Now it’s time for my next journey. Ottawa, let’s get active.

#JustAKidFromBurlington
A.J. Allen

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The 28-year-old was 3DownNation’s top ranked pending free agent quarterback who made it to the communication window.

Maier dressed all 18 regular-season games for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2025 as the backup to Trevor Harris. He completed 64.3 percent of his passes for 617 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Maier produced a 1-1 win-loss record in two starts, though it’s worth noting he did not finish his Week 20 start against Winnipeg as Jack Coan entered in the fourth quarter.

The six-foot, 200-pound Fullerton, California native started 15 games for the Calgary Stampeders in 2024, completing 72.3 percent of his passes for 3,841 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He went 5-9-1 as a starter as the team missed the playoffs for the first time in 20 years.

Maier signed his first professional contract with Calgary in 2020 and played meaningful snaps as a rookie in 2021, eventually unseating Bo Levi Mitchell as the team’s starting quarterback. He finished his tenure with the Stamps throwing for 11,685 yards, 60 touchdowns, and 39 interceptions.

Ottawa general manager and head coach Ryan Dinwiddie was in Cowtown when the Stampeders scouted Maier, but he left to became the Toronto Argonauts head coach prior to him signing with the team. Maier gives the Redblacks a proven backup behind starter Dru Brown.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise, however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.

The post Ottawa Redblacks agree to terms with former Riders QB Jake Maier: sources appeared first on 3DownNation.

The 27-year-old Bell originally signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in March 2024. He dressed for eight games as a CFL rookie, registering 94 carries for 625 yards, 6.6 per carry, with six touchdowns on the ground plus 29 receptions for 230 yards and one major.

Bell produced a breakout season for the Ticats in 2025, recording 184 carries for 1,038 yards, 5.6 per carry, with five touchdowns and 62 catches for 426 yards while finding pay dirt through the air once. He led all CFL backs in receptions last season, edging Canadian Brady Oliveira by one, and earned East Division all-star honours for his efforts.

The six-foot, 200-pound ball-carrier signed with the Detroit Lions after going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft and also had a stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, though he didn’t dress for any regular season games. He earned nearly $500,000 USD during his time in the NFL.

Bell ran 358 times for 1,728 yards with 15 touchdowns, added 15 receptions for 119 yards plus one score over 21 games at San Diego State University during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He ran a 4.63 time in the 40-yard dash at the Aztecs pro day in 2022.

The Chula Vista, California native played at the University of Nebraska in 2018 where he carried the ball 35 times for 173 yards and caught four passes for 14 yards. He started his collegiate career at Arizona Western Community College, rushed 382 times for 2,404 yards with 18 touchdowns and notched 16 receptions for 214 yards in 21 games over two seasons.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise, however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.

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