‘Not an easy position to play’: former Riders kicker Chris Milo defends Brett Lauther’s poor 2025 CFL season

Two-time Grey Cup champion and former Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Chris Milo can sympathize with Brett Lauther, who is having a tough 2025 CFL season.

"It's not an easy position to play, you go through ups and downs, but he's had such a great career so far. I felt like he needed a bit of a reset, not necessarily that you can't kick a ball anymore, I think he needed to take a step back," Milo said on the SportsCage.

"I know he had a baby, things in life change as well, but lots of things are going on. He definitely still has a great leg, it'd be nice to come out there even to spend some time with him to see where he's at between the ears. That's really what it is because he's made those big kicks for us throughout his career. Hopefully, we get this bye after the Friday game, but we're going to have to figure something out before the playoffs come around."

In 2025, Lauther's field goal percentage sits at 68.9 percent, which ranks last among CFL kickers.

"I know how it is out there, you guys want us to make every kick, you want us to be at our best every single game, which is normal. That's what fans expect, that's what you guys deserve out of us," Milo said. "But we're humans too, I still feel like Lauther can give us what we need throughout the playoffs. Hopefully, we can get this bye, it'll do him some good, have a couple of weeks, take some time to reflect, get back to basics and have fun."

The Green and White have the opportunity to host the West Final and a bye week that comes with it if the Riders beat the Toronto Argonauts on Friday night at Mosaic Stadium.

During the Roughriders last game against the Ottawa Redblacks, Saskatchewan won 20-13. Lauther did not play due to a back injury as Campbell Fair took his place and missed two extra points but did not attempt a field goal.

"Man, keep your head up. It happens to the best of us. Keep going and trust yourself, trust your swing, trust what got you there in the first place. One or two kicks are not going to define your career," Milo said giving encouragement to Fair. "I missed my first two field goals with Saskatchewan and it didn't turn out so bad after that."

Milo began his career with the Green and White in 2011 after the Riders picked him in the fourth round, 30th overall during the CFL Draft. He stayed with Saskatchewan until 2015, then joined the Redblacks and played for them through 2016. The last team Milo played for in the CFL was the Edmonton Elks in 2017. In his career, Milo won two Grey Cups, first with the Riders in 2013 and then with the Redblacks in 2016. 

"For me, Saskatchewan was my second home. It was the team that took a chance on me. It'll always be home for me and it'll always be we when it comes to Saskatchewan," Milo explained. "I've been joking around on Twitter, but if there is anything I can do to help the team out, if there's anything that they need from me, then they know how to reach me. I'll be more than willing to come out there, if I can help Brett out, I gladly would."

The Green and White host the Toronto Argonauts on Friday for the team's “Lights Out” game wearing obsidian green jerseys. Tegan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates bring you the pre-game show at 4 p.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 7 p.m. Listen or watch our comprehensive coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.