Riders lock up Tevaughn Campbell, extend Jameer Thurman

The Saskatchewan Roughriders locked down two key defensive players on Monday.

The CFL club announced that defensive back Tevaughn Campbell has signed a contract extension to keep him wearing green and white in 2026. Saskatchewan also announced linebacker Jameer Thurman signed an extension to keep him with the team through 2027. Thurman was already under contract for the 2026 season.

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Campbell, who stands six feet tall and weighs 200 pounds, had six interceptions in the 2025 regular season, despite appearing in just 13 games. He led the league in interception-return yards with 205, the second-highest total in Rider history.

“Everybody knows the type of player and the kind of season he had last year. Extremely important we have some corners with some size and speed,” Riders head coach Corey Mace said. “He’s got some magnets in his hands and we’re really based off of turnover football and he managed to do that at a high clip … It was extremely important to get him back for the playoff run and ultimately the Grey Cup where head two crucial turnovers.”

Campbell, an alumni of the University of Regina who hails from Scarborough, Ont., was picked 22nd overall by the Calgary Stampeders in the 2015 CFL Draft. Before returning to the CFL last season, Campbell spent six years in the NFL, including time with the New York Jets, Los Angeles Chargers and Jacksonville Jaguars.

During the 112th Grey Cup, which saw the Riders hoist the championship trophy for the first time since 2013, Campbell forced a fumble from Montreal quarterback Shea Patterson at the goal line, shifting the momentum of the game. He also managed three defensive tackles and an interception to help set up the team’s 25-17 win.

The Chicago product earned his first All-CFL accolade, becoming just the fourth middle linebacker in Rider history to receive the honour. He ranked sixth in the league in defensive tackles (86), tied for eighth in total defensive plays (100), and registered three interceptions, three sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.

“It’s very important to get Jameer back. A team captain, a consummate professional and works his butt off,” O’Day said.

Thurman joined the Roughriders in free agency after spending the 2023 season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He won a Grey Cup with the Calgary Stampeders in 2018.

The CFL free agency negotiation window is set to open on Feb. 1. CFL Free Agency officially gets underway on Feb. 10.