The Saskatchewan Roughriders are officially defending their 2025 Grey Cup championship, but don't expect anyone in the locker room to talk about winning back-to-back titles. As the team unveiled its commemorative banner before Saturday's regular-season opener against the B.C. Lions, veteran receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker revealed that discussing a repeat is strictly forbidden.
A Banner Day for the Riders
The new banner, celebrating the Roughriders' 25-17 victory over the Montreal Alouettes in the 2025 Grey Cup, now hangs in the northern rafters of Mosaic Stadium. It joins pennants from the franchise's previous championships in 1966, 1989, 2007, and 2013. There is room for one more banner along that section of the stadium.
Schaffer-Baker admitted that even before the 2025 season, he visualized the championship banner. Now, he already sees a future banner for 2026. "It was the first thing I'd look at every single day," he said. "I already see '2026' up there every single day. They're both gonna be up there."
The 'S-Word' and a Fine Jar
Despite the excitement, the team has a strict policy against discussing a potential repeat. Schaffer-Baker called it "a little bit of a swear word" and noted that the team has a fine jar for anyone who brings it up. "They say if you're talking about the stuff you did yesterday, you ain't done enough today," he added.
Head coach Corey Mace is the main enforcer of the team's "one-and-oh" mantra, focusing on winning week to week. He regularly fields questions about repeating but keeps the team grounded.
Underdog Status Despite Being Champs
Although the Roughriders sit atop most power rankings as defending champions, several media polls favor the B.C. Lions as the team to beat. The last time Saskatchewan played at Mosaic Stadium, they defeated B.C. 24-21 in the West final—a chippy game filled with taunting. Schaffer-Baker acknowledged the rivalry: "We want it from everybody, but we like B.C. a little bit extra."
Roster Changes and Fan Support
Sixteen of the 45 players from the Grey Cup-winning roster are no longer with the team, and two assistant coaches have been replaced. However, the administration remains unchanged, and fan support is strong. Saturday's game is expected to be near a sellout, with pre-game celebrations and the first legal tailgating in the nearby parking lot.
Rider Nation is buzzing about the possibility of back-to-back championships, a topic that dominates conversations even over the wet spring that has delayed farmers from planting crops. But inside the locker room, the focus remains on the present.
