Saskatchewan Roughriders Extend Star Running Back A.J. Ouellette

The CFL champions lock up their championship-winning ground game anchor for another season.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 7:01am

A cubist, geometric painting depicting a football player in motion, with sharp, overlapping planes of green, white, and gold colors representing the Saskatchewan Roughriders' uniform and the player's dynamic movements on the field.The Roughriders' star running back A.J. Ouellette will lead the team's championship-caliber ground game as they aim to defend their 2025 Grey Cup title.Covington Today

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have re-signed American running back A.J. Ouellette, who was instrumental in the team's 2025 Grey Cup championship victory. Ouellette, a 5'8" 208-lb running back, led the CFL in rushing touchdowns and was named the Wireless Age Player of the Year after a dominant 2025 campaign.

Why it matters

Retaining Ouellette, a key player from their championship-winning roster, signals the Roughriders' intent to build a CFL dynasty and defend their title. His combination of power running, pass-catching ability, and pass protection make him a well-rounded offensive weapon central to the team's success.

The details

In 2025, Ouellette rushed for 1,222 yards (2nd in CFL) and 9 touchdowns, while also catching 35 passes for 250 yards and another score. He was dominant in the playoffs, rushing for 113 yards in the Western Final and 83 yards with a touchdown in the Grey Cup win. Ouellette first joined the Roughriders in 2024 after four seasons with the Toronto Argonauts, where he was a two-time East Division All-Star.

  • Ouellette re-signed with the Roughriders on April 10, 2026.
  • In the 2025 season, Ouellette led the CFL in rushing touchdowns and was named the Wireless Age Player of the Year.
  • Ouellette helped the Roughriders win the 2025 Grey Cup, rushing for 83 yards and a touchdown in the championship game.

The players

A.J. Ouellette

A 5'8", 208-lb American running back who was instrumental in the Saskatchewan Roughriders' 2025 Grey Cup championship, leading the CFL in rushing touchdowns and earning the Wireless Age Player of the Year award.

Saskatchewan Roughriders

The Canadian Football League team that won the 2025 Grey Cup championship and has now re-signed star running back A.J. Ouellette to continue building their championship-winning roster.

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What they’re saying

“Retaining A.J. Ouellette was a top priority for us this offseason. He's a dynamic playmaker who was central to our championship run, and we're thrilled to have him back to lead our ground game as we defend our title.”

— Jeremy O'Day, General Manager, Saskatchewan Roughriders

What’s next

The Roughriders will look to build on their 2025 championship season and defend their title with Ouellette leading their ground attack. Training camp and preseason games will be the next key milestones as the team prepares for the 2026 CFL regular season.

The takeaway

By re-signing star running back A.J. Ouellette, the Saskatchewan Roughriders are signaling their intent to build a CFL dynasty. Ouellette's combination of power running, pass-catching, and pass protection make him a crucial piece of the Roughriders' championship-winning formula as they aim to repeat in 2026.