The Saskatchewan Roughriders are on their way for 2024 season

The Saskatchewan Roughriders will get set to finalize the roster they want to see for the 2024 season.
But that means head coach Corey Mace will need to deliver some bad news to CFL hopefuls.

CFL clubs will need to ensure their 45-man main roster and practice roster are compliant for the regular season.

“Having those hard conversations with those guys, it has never been easy,” said Mace, who played in both the NFL and CFL. “I’ve been in that seat before and there’s not much you can hear that is going to make you feel any better about the situation.”

The deadline to cut players is on Saturday.

Mace said, “I try to be as honest as possible with those guys and really thank them for their work … They have put in a lot of work and we have asked a lot of these guys. It’s much appreciated from not only myself but everyone in the organization.” Mace said having to deliver bad news to the players is the worst part of the job.

“It’s the game that we chose and we understand what this is,” Mace said. “Just being as transparent as possible, that’s what I would have wanted being in that seat so I try to accomplish that.”

One of those players hoping to stick around for the season is quarterback Jack Coan. The Sayville, N.Y., product is in his first CFL training camp and completed seven of 11 pass attempts for 43 yards in both preseason games.

“It has been awesome so far. It has been a ton of fun and seems like a great locker room of guys, so it has been a pleasure getting to know everybody,” Coan said. “I’ve just tried to put my best foot forward each and every day and try to get better.”

“It’s been a ton of fun and I really enjoyed it.”

Coan said he is willing to do whatever he can to make the team, including spending time on the practice roster.
“Whatever it takes. As of right now, my role is to do whatever I can do to support Trevor and just be ready when my number is called,” Coan said.

Another player looking to make the team this year is KeeSean Johnson. It appears like the pass-catcher should be in line to not just make the team, but in a starting role as he has been running with the first-team offence throughout camp.

Johnson is familiar with how rough cut days can be as he has been a part of them as he bounced around the NFL.
But he doesn’t have nerves heading into this one.

“It’s all God’s plan. Whatever happens is meant to happen. I’m here and prepared for whatever,” Johnson said. “I’ve been there before. I’ve been cut before… it’s a learning curve. It’s just how you take it and you have to have a good mental (approach) with it and come in and be prepared to work whenever you get another shot.”