Adarius Pickett is on the move.
According to a CFL source, the veteran American linebacker has agreed in principle to a deal with the Ottawa Redblacks. The source spoke on the condition of anonymity as usually such agreements can't be formally announced until the free-agent period officially starts at noon ET on Feb. 13.
However, the source added the Toronto Argonauts, the team Pickett played for last year, have agreed to release him. Once that move becomes official, Pickett will be free to sign his one-year, $170,000 contract with Ottawa well ahead of the start of CFL free agency.
Meanwhile, another CFL source said Monday that Winnipeg tackle Jermarcus Hardrick has agreed in principle to a two-year deal with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The source also spoke on the condition of anonymity as that agreement can't be announced until the start of free agency.
The six-foot-five, 317-pound Hardrick was the West Division's top lineman last season with Winnipeg. Hardrick, 34, joined the Bombers in 2016 and helped the franchise appear in four straight Grey Cups, winning two.
The American began his CFL career with Saskatchewan in 2015. According to TSN, Hardrick's deal will pay him over $230,000 annually, making him the league's highest-paid American offensive lineman.,
Last season, Saskatchewan allowed 54 sacks, seventh-most in the CFL, and ranked eighth overall in rushing yards (84.4 per game).
Pickett, 27, was expected to garner much attention in free agency as one of the top available defensive players following a stellar 2023 season with Toronto.
The five-foot-11, 210-pound linebacker was the East Division's top defensive player after registering 105 tackles, 19 special-teams tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble en route to being named a CFL all-star.
Pickett began his CFL career with the Montreal Alouettes (2021-22). The former UCLA star has registered 201 tackles, 38 special-teams tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 48 contests.
The free-agent window opened Sunday, allowing teams to talk freely with any pending free agents or their representatives. The window will remain open until noon ET on Feb. 11, during which time teams can make formal offers to any potential free agents.
Offers that are made must be registered with both the CFL and CFLPA and will be considered binding and can’t be rescinded.
Once the window closes Feb. 11, pending free agents will have a 48-hour negotiating window with the teams they remain under contract with. At any time, every CFL club will be provided any offers the pending free agents received during the week-long open window period.
Teams will have until 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 13 to make an offer to their own free agents. Copies of those proposals must again go to both the CFL office and CFLPA.
Pending free agents will then have from 10 a.m. until noon ET to accept any offer that’s been made to them. Should a player not accept any of the proposals, he’ll become a free agent at 12:01 p.m. ET on Feb. 13 and be able to sign with the team of his choosing.
So while Pickett has agreed to terms with Ottawa, he'll have to wait until the start of free agency to officially sign the deal.
Also on Monday, the Argos signed Canadian kicker Lirim Hajrullahu while releasing American kicker Boris Bede and thus making Bede a free agent. Two anonymous league sources said Monday the expectation is Bede will join the Edmonton Elks.
Bede would give Edmonton the benefit of having one player handling all three kicking jobs (field goals, punts, kickoffs). Last season, the Elks split those chores between global kicker Dean Faithfull and Canadian punter Jake Julien.
Faithfull made 23-of-29 field goals last season (79.3 per cent) and 35-of-37 converts while averaging 62.9 yards per kickoff. He was 13-of-14 from inside 40 yards, 10-of-15 from outside 40 yards and 0-for-1 at 50 yards or longer while Julien, of Barrie, Ont., boasted a 45.4-yard average.
Bede hit 37-of-39 field goals (94.9 per cent) last season with Toronto and 53-of-57 converts. He made all 28 boots he tried inside of 40 yards, was 9-of-11 from outside 40 yards and 2-of-4 at 50 yards or longer.
Bede not only led the CFL in kickoffs (71.2-yard average) but also punted 48 times for a 47.6-yard average.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2024.
Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press
