On Friday the CFL took another step towards a return in 2021. The league unveiled the pending free-agent list for all nine teams and the list is very long for every team, including the Edmonton Football Team who has 47 pending free agents and many notable names.
Topping the list are receiver Greg Ellingson, the team’s leading pass catcher from the 2019 CFL season with 1,170 yards, defensive lineman Almondo Sewell and defensive end Kwaku Boateng who tied for second on the team in quarterback sacks with eight.
The double E’s kicking tandem of Sean Whyte and Hugh O’Neill are also pending free agents.
Other names include linebacker and the team’s Most Outstanding Rookie candidate in 2019, Vontae Diggs, running back Shaq Cooper and a list of offensive lineman including veterans Matt O’Donnell, Colin Kelly, SirVincent Rogers and Tommie Draheim.
With players losing their 2020 contract year despite not having a season, that means the Edmonton Football Team might lose a player that didn’t play a game for them.
Receiver Jimmy Ralph, running back and kick returner Terry Williams, linebacker Justin Tuggle and defensive back Jermaine Gabriel could hit the open market in 2021.
“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,” CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie said in a statement.
“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.”
Team are allowed to begin re-signing their free agents starting on Monday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. MST. Free agency will open on Tuesday, Feb. 9 also at 10 a.m. MST.