The Calgary Stampeders' defence aims to build on a resurgent 2025 season that saw the team return to the playoffs and contend for a Grey Cup. After a year of uncertainty, the unit answered many questions early and helped transform the Stampeders from a non-playoff team to a championship contender. However, as the 2026 season approaches, new challenges and roster changes have emerged.
Projected Starters
When healthy, the Stampeders' defence is expected to feature the following starters (with injury replacements in parentheses):
- Rush end: Folarin Orimolade (Shaun Peterson Jr.)
- Defensive tackle: Miles Brown
- Defensive tackle: Jaylon Hutchings (Charles Wiley)
- Defensive end: Clarence Hicks
- Weak-side linebacker: Kyle Wilson
- Middle linebacker: Marquel Lee
- Strong-side linebacker: Derrick Moncrief
- Boundary-side cornerback: Anthony Johnson
- Boundary-side halfback: Sheldon Arnold (Damon Webb)
- Field-side halfback: Jaydon Grant
- Field-side cornerback: Adrian Greene
- Safety: Damon Webb (Jackson Sombach)
Roster Moves: Ins and Outs
Players In
- DL Elijah Hills
- DL Tristan Marois
- DL Tre'Mon Morris-Brash
- LB R.J. Moten
- LB Eric Rascoe
- DB Zy Alexander
- DB Ike Larsen
- DB Ashton Miller-Melancon
Players Out
- DL Josiah Coatney (free agent)
- DL Lorenzo Mauldin IV (retired)
- DL Jason Janvier-Messier (free agent)
- LB Jacob Roberts (NFL)
- LB Adam Bighill (retired)
- LB Justin Herdman-Reed (free agent)
- LB Nicky Farinaccio (free agent)
- LB Gary Johnson Jr. (free agent)
- LB Kaylyn St-Cyr (free agent)
- DB Lance Robinson (retired)
- DB Brady Breeze (retired)
- DB Jacobe Covington (free agent)
- LS Aaron Crawford
Key Defensive Questions
The Stampeders face significant challenges in replacing two standout players: linebacker Jacob Roberts and defensive tackle Jaylon Hutchings, both of whom signed with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings in January after stellar seasons. The battle to replace Roberts at weak-side linebacker appears to be leaning toward veteran Kyle Wilson. However, the loss of Hutchings was mitigated when the all-CFL interior defender re-signed with Calgary on a critical three-year deal, announced late Sunday. Head coach and GM Dave Dickenson emphasized the need for improvement, stating, 'We've got to improve. Everyone was kind of new last year on defence, so maybe we got the jump on some teams. But if we're a good tackling team that plays physical and stops the run, that's how we're going to win.' The Stampeders open the 2026 regular season on Friday against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at McMahon Stadium.
