Hamilton’s 2026 CFL free agency focus was about filling holes and trying to improve a roster to take a Grey Cup step.
The Tiger-Cats have the longest CFL championship drought among any team in the three-down league, 1999 was the last time the Black and Gold brought the big silver trophy back to Steeltown.
The Tabbies were 11-7 in 2025, first place in the East Division. Although, Montreal upset Hamilton in the East Final 19-16. Orlondo Steinauer and Scott Milanovich are trying to put the Tiger-Cats over the top in the East and earn a shot at the Grey Cup.
After Devin Veresuk signed with the Indianapolis Colts, Jonathan Moxey signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and DaShaun Amos went back down the QEW to Toronto, that left three spots to focus on within Hamilton’s defence.
By all accounts, the Ticats went hard after Wynton McManis and brought the all-star linebacker to the Steel City. The 31-year-old veteran fills the middle linebacker spot vacated by Veresuk. However, it appears younger players are going to be at field cornerback and field halfback. Expect Zamari Walton and Quavian White to receive first chance to lockdown those spots respectively.
Philip Ossai displayed his pass rush ability last year with eight sacks in 12 regular season games. He could start at the defensive end spot opposite Julian Howsare. The Tiger-Cats could use Canadians at multiple spots on the defensive line, especially inside. Ty Anderson saw playing time last year as a rookie while Charbel Dabire was added in free agency and Kail Dava was re-signed after finishing the season on the practice roster.
Offensively, there were changes at some key spots.
Coulter Woodmansey left for Edmonton and he’s been replaced at centre by Chris Kolankowski. Jordan Murray and Brendan Bordner also went to the Elks with Woodmansey, but the Ticats might have upgraded by inking Trevor Reid to play left tackle.
East Division all-star running back Greg Bell signed with the Ottawa Redblacks, which leaves a spot open beside Bo Levi Mitchell. Shane Watts, who had two stints on the team’s practice roster, could get first crack to earn the starting RB job due to his familiarity with the playbook.
Tim White was released prior to the negotiation window opening and his departure left a starting spot in the receiving group. Fellow American Keric Wheatfall was signed in free agency. Kurleigh Gittens Jr. was brought in to give Hamilton two Canadians with 1,000-yard seasons on their resumes.
Burner returner Isaiah Wooden Sr. signed with the Cleveland Browns in January and his spot needed to be filled. The Tabbies were active in the veteran returner market, special teams coordinator Bob Dyce had ties to DeVonte Dedmon from time together in Ottawa. Ultimately, Mario Alford, who seems to have some juice left, signed with the Black and Gold.
Hamilton Tiger-Cats 2026 CFL free agency checklist
Re-signed:
QB Jake Dolegala (A)
QB Harrison Frost (A)
QB Bo Levi Mitchell (A)
RB Johnny Augustine (N)
REC Shemar Bridges (A)
REC Keaton Bruggeling (N)
REC Tyler Ternowski (N)
OL Quinton Barrow (A)
OL Brandon Revenberg (N)
OL Jakub Szott (N)
DL Julian Howsare (A)
DB Stavros Katsantonis (N)
DB Jamal Peters (A)
DB Destin Talbert (A)
Gordon Whyte (N)
Re-signed from practice roster:
RB Shane Watts (A)
REC Moochie Dixon (A)
REC Shedler Fervius (N)
REC Myron Mitchell (A)
DL Kail Dava (N)
LB Ryan Meed (A)
DB Zamari Walton (A)
Signed in free agency:
QB Tre Ford (N)
REC Kurleigh Gittens Jr. (N)
REC Tyson Middlemost (N)
REC Keric Wheatfall (A)
OL Chris Kolankowski (N)
OL Eric Lofton (A)
OL Trevor Reid (A)
DL Charbel Dabire (N)
DL Kene Onyeka (N)
LB Wynton McManis (A)
RET Mario Alford (A)
P Fraser Masin (G)
Not re-signed:
QB Taylor Powell (A) — signed with Edmonton Elks
RB Greg Bell (A) — signed with Ottawa Redblacks
REC Brendan O’Leary-Orange (N) — signed with Edmonton Elks
REC Tim White (A) — signed with Winnipeg Blue Bombers
REC Drew Wolitarsky (N) — retired
OL Brendan Bordner (A) — signed with Edmonton Elks
OL Jordan Murray (A) — signed with Edmonton Elks
OL Coulter Woodmansey (N) — signed with Edmonton Elks
LB Brian Cole II (A) — signed with Ottawa Redblacks
LB Trevor Hoyte (A) — free agent
DB DaShaun Amos (A) — signed with Toronto Argonauts
DB Siriman-Harrison Bagayogo (N) — free agent
DB Patrick Burke Jr. (N) — free agent
DB Jonathan Moxey (A) — signed with Winnipeg Blue Bombers
RET Isaiah Wooden (A) — signed with Cleveland Browns
RET Lawrence Woods III (A) — free agent
