CFL releases list of 328 pending free agents for 2021
The Canadian Football League continues to plan for business as usual in 2021, knowing it might still be something else entirely.
On Friday afternoon, the league published a list of 328 pending free agents who would hit the open market Feb. 9 at noon ET, unless they are re-signed before that date by the teams currently holding their rights.
CFL teams have been prohibited from signing any players for several weeks, but that moratorium lifts on Monday at noon ET. There will surely be a flood of signings next week as general managers and player personnel staffs try to construct a semblance of a normalized roster.
The list of 328 pending free agents includes Winnipeg offensive lineman Stanley Bryant and kicker Justin Medlock, Ottawa quarterback Dominique Davis, Montreal defensive lineman John Bowman and linebacker Henoc Muamba and Toronto receivers Natey Adjei and Juwan Brescacin.
The free agent frenzy will actually get underway on Jan. 31 when the official communication window opens and teams are allowed to negotiate with the pending free agents from all other CFL squads.
“As we look forward to 2021 and a CFL season with optimism, we are moving to provide our clubs with the guidelines and information they need to build competitive rosters,” said CFL commissioner Randy Ambrosie. “While we are quite aware of the COVID-19 challenges currently facing society at large and sports in particular, we are also encouraged by the almost daily reports of progress in the development and distribution of rapid tests, treatments and, most importantly, vaccines. We are taking every step to be prepared to return to the field next year.”
The league had previously released a full, 81-game schedule beginning June 10 with a rematch of the 2019 Grey Cup game between Winnipeg and Hamilton. The 2020 season was cancelled Aug. 17.