‘2025 died’: Defending champion Saskatchewan Roughriders refresh outlook for 2026

The defending Grey Cup champions say they’ve turned the page as they begin their first practice of the 2026 regular season in Regina. Donovan Maess has more.

Fresh off winning the Grey Cup in 2025, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have wasted little time turning the page ahead of their first game in 2026.

“I hate to say it like this, but 2025 died,” said veteran offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick. “We have to move on. I can’t even live there anymore.”

The Riders returned to practice at Mosaic Stadium on Tuesday for on-field activities ahead of their first regular season matchup of this new season.

• ‘A lot of waiting’: A glimpse into final cut day of CFL training camp
• Old habits die hard for Riders’ coach Micah Johnson in first training camp post-retirement

Players admitted the start to the season has been odd.

First, Saskatchewan was not scheduled for a game the final week of the preseason. Then they had a bye for Week 1 of the regular season.

“It was very strange,” quarterback Trevor Harris told reporters Tuesday.

“You get into a nice rhythm during training camp and it’s like, ‘great camp, guys. See you next week.’”

“Usually, you roll into the regular season. But you come back out here and it’s kind of just getting the cobwebs out ... we’re fired up and it’s finally game week,” he added.

The delayed start however, gives the team more time to put last year in the rearview mirror and refocus on the long road ahead.

“You have an unflinching mentality,” said Harris. “I’m ready to rock, regardless what the situation is. Down 10, up 10; whatever our record is, we approach [it] the exact same.”

Killing 2025 in their minds has made it easier for the team to return to its ‘1-0 each week’ mentality, according to head coach Corey Mace.

“It doesn’t have anything to do with this year, period,” he said. “It just doesn’t. We’re a new team, we have to go out there and prove we’re still a good team.”

Hardrick says the team has great leadership.

“We always talk about winning the day, putting things in the past. Mace and the leaders are doing a great job. 2026 is all that matters,” he said.

Saskatchewan will get the opportunity to reflect on their success in 2025, albeit very briefly, as the team unveils its Grey Cup championship banner ahead of Saturday’s home opener against the B.C. Lions.

After that, do not expect to hear more from this team about its past glory.

Kickoff Saturday is 5 p.m. at Mosaic Stadium