REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive lineman Mike Rose, the team announced on Saturday.
Rose (six-foot-one, 270 pounds) joins the Roughriders after eight strong seasons with the Calgary Stampeders that included three All-CFL nods (2021-23), four West Division All-CFL nods (2021-24) and a Grey Cup Championship in 2018.
RELATED
» Stamps release defensive linemen Mike Rose, James Vaughters
» Milligan Jr., Riders agree to one-year extension
» Crystal Ball: CFL.ca makes bold free agency predictions
» 14 top pending free agents who could be available
» More 2025 Free Agency news and notes
» Subscribe to the CFL’s newsletter for exclusive offers and league updates
» Subscribe to the CFL’s official YouTube channel
The South Carolina native initially signed with the Stampeders in May of 2017 and went on to play 86 regular season games for the Club. Over that time, he registered 143 defensive tackles, five special teams tackles, 36 sacks, two interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown, and three forced fumbles.
Rose played and started in all 18 regular season games in 2024 tallying 19 defensive tackles, three tackles for loss, a team-leading six quarterback sacks, and one interception he returned 83 yards for a touchdown. He was named the CFL’s Top Performer by Pro Football Focus in Week 14.
Rose has been a dominant force in the middle of the defensive line all throughout his career and led all CFL interior linemen in sacks in 2023 (11, a career high), and 2021 (7). In 2019, he also led all interior linemen in tackles with 46.
Collegiately, Rose played in 51 games over four seasons at North Carolina State (2012-15) and registered 121 defensive tackles, 34 tackles for loss, 17 sacks and four forced fumbles. Following the 2016 NFL Draft, he signed with the NFL’s New York Giants as an undrafted free agent and attended training camp with the team.