Saskatchewan Roughriders Land OT Jermarcus Hardrick on Two-Year Deal
Saskatchewan coach Corey Mace has signed one of the best linemen in free agency as he focuses on building the Roughriders' offensive line. TSN’s Farhan Lalji reported Monday that former Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrick is set to sign a two-year contract with the Riders.
The deal is expected to pay out $230,500 each season with a $120,000 signing bonus, making him the highest-paid American offensive lineman in the CFL.
Hardrick has been on the Bombers offensive line since 2016. The 33-year-old was selected as a CFL All-Star in 2021 and 2023, as well as being named the top offensive lineman in the CFL West Division last season. He first entered the CFL with the BC Lions in 2014. The Riders had Hardrick on their roster in 2015, and he appeared and started in eight games.
Hardrick’s deal will pay him 230.5k in each season. 120k signing bonus. Makes him the highest paid 🇺🇸OL in @CFL. @CFLonTSN https://t.co/Wfk3ZkmUPu
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 5, 2024
Sports Illustrated had Hardrick ranked as the second-best available offensive lineman in free agency.
The move leaves the Bombers with a gap at tackle on the offensive line. It could be the team’s way of not overpaying Hardrick as they focus on re-signing other top players like running back Brady Oliveira and wide receiver Dalton Schoen. It also gives the team the chance to get younger on the line and build for the future.
Saskatchewan was middle of the pack last season in sacks, allowing a fifth-best 50 on the year. The Riders needed to build up front, and Hardrick gives them more stability on the line with his ability to be their starting left or right tackle, which were positions that switched up throughout the 2023 season.
Pending free agents cannot officially sign with other teams until the CFL free agency period begins on February 13.
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.