Saskatchewan Roughriders, LB Jameer Thurman Agree to Contract

There might not be a more active team in free agency than the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who are bringing in tackle Jermarcus Hardrick and running back A.J. Ouellette on the offensive side.

The Riders are also adding reinforcements on defense by adding linebacker Jameer Thurman on a one-year deal, according to 3DownNation’s Justin Dunk. Thurman will be earning around $175,000.

Last season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Thurman racked up 98 tackles, five sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles in 18 games. He spent his previous four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders as one of their main starters at linebacker. His career stats include 398 total tackles, 11 sacks, eight interceptions and 10 forced fumbles in 82 games. He won a Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 2018.

Thurman played in the NFL and XFL in between his CFL career that started in 2017. In 2019, he signed with the Chicago Bears and played through the preseason before he was released at the end of training camp. He played for the D.C. Defenders in 2020 producing 28 tackles, one interception and one forced fumble in five games before the Covid-19 pandemic cancelled the rest of the season.

Three linebackers on the Riders have not been re-signed and could be free agents. The team released Derrick Moncrief last month, leaving some gaps at the position. Thurman should be a Day 1 starter on Corey Mace’s defense.

Saskatchewan also re-signed defensive Godfrey Onyeka on Tuesday. He comes off a four-game season due to a torn pectoral muscle.