The road back to the top of the Canadian Football League is a challenging climb, and Calgary Stampeders general manager and head coach Dave Dickenson is navigating every step. After guiding the franchise back to the postseason in 2025, the focus has sharply shifted to constructing a roster capable of contending for a championship in the coming year.
A Foundation of Progress
The Stampeders' 2025 campaign marked a significant turnaround, finishing with a solid 11-7 record and securing a playoff berth. This return to form has reinvigorated the franchise and its fans, but the work is far from complete. Speaking from the CFL's Winter Meetings in Calgary, Dickenson emphasized the next logical goal. "Our first goal is to try to get a home playoff game," Dickenson stated. "That seems like it's a long way down the road, but that would be something I think our team — if we can get going and get moving — is looking for."
Navigating a Crucial Offseason
The path to improvement is littered with immediate obstacles as the Stampeders approach the February 14 free-agency deadline and the upcoming CFL Draft. Dickenson acknowledged the delicate balance of retaining key players while identifying new talent. "We take care of what we can," he said. "Player-wise, I think we're doing a fair job trying to get us at least as many pieces as possible back that you like. But knowing that free agency is certainly a gamble... it certainly makes our off-season interesting."
The NFL Exodus and Scouting Response
A significant challenge emerged recently with the departure of three promising young stars to the NFL. Electric receiver Damien Alford signed with the New Orleans Saints, while standout defenders Jacob Roberts and Jaylon Hutchings inked deals with the Minnesota Vikings.
Dickenson provided a pragmatic view of the losses, noting that Roberts and Hutchings were pending free agents regardless. "We root for them (to make it in the NFL), and we follow along, and we stay in touch," he said. "But you just can't hope that it's not going to work out and we've got them back. We have to get the best roster we can and move forward from there."
This reality places immense importance on the Stampeders' scouting and player personnel departments. Dickenson expressed confidence in the work of his team, including assistant GM Brendan Mahoney and directors Cole Hufnagel and Dwayne Cameron, who have been instrumental in recent successful drafts and U.S. talent acquisition.
As the winter months progress, the Stampeders' front office is engaged in a high-stakes puzzle. The task is clear: build upon the foundation of an 11-7 playoff season by expertly managing free agency, executing a shrewd draft, and overcoming the loss of key talent to the NFL. The success of this multifaceted mission will determine if the Red and White can transform last year's playoff return into a legitimate Grey Cup pursuit in 2026.
