The 2025 National Football League season kicks off on Thursday night with the defending Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles hosting NFC East rivals, the Dallas Cowboys.
With the NFL regular season fast approaching, Canadian Football League teams are watching the waiver wire and free agents closely to see if there are opportunities to improve their team. That includes the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who have connected with Canadian offensive lineman Kyle Hergel. The Green and White selected Hergel in the first round, third overall during the 2024 CFL Draft.
The Boston College alumnus dressed for eight games in 2024 with the New Orleans Saints, playing 45 offensive snaps and 26 on special teams, spending the rest of the year on the team’s practice roster after being signed as an undrafted free agent. The 25-year-old Hergel was released after Saints training camp and has passed through NFL waivers unclaimed. Riders' head coach Corey Mace has remained in touch with the Toronto native.
“We’ve spoken, but he’s not here. I don’t know the answer if he’s planning to come up or waiting for an opportunity down there, that’s his choice, rightfully so," Mace said and added it's not out of the norm for him to have contact with Hergel.
“Kyle and myself, since we grabbed him last year, we keep in contact every other week throughout the process. He’s a Rider fan for sure, he watches every game, even when he’s nowhere near the province. We’ll see, but our focus is the guys who are here now.”
Hergel isn’t the only Canadian offensive lineman the Riders have kept their eye on, Sidy Sow was selected in the sixth round, 48th overall, during the 2023 CFL Draft by Saskatchewan.
Sow spent the last two seasons with the New England Patriots, who selected him in the fourth round during the 2023 NFL Draft. The 27-year-old Granby, Quebec native was among the team’s final roster cuts this year, but Mace hasn’t directly contacted Sow.
“I don’t have a relationship with him, as he was drafted prior to me getting here. I haven’t had any chance to share a relationship with the guy. I met him in passing when I visited the Patriots last year," Mace explained.
The 27-year-old suited up in 27 games for New England, starting 14, including 13 in his rookie NFL season.
After Sunday’s 34-30 Labour Day Classic win, the Riders are preparing for Saturday’s rematch in Winnipeg with the Blue Bombers.
Teagan Witko, Justin Dunk, and Wes Cates bring you the pre-game show at 11 a.m. Dave Thomas and Luc Mullinder have the game call at 2 p.m. Listen to our thorough coverage on the 620 CKRM Co-operators Rider Broadcast Network.
