Roughriders Free Agents: Benoit Marion

Published: Thursday, Jan 15th 2026, 5:01am

By Alex Dormuth (@RealAlexD)

Every day until the Ed Hervey Tampering Window (or as others call it, the CFL Free Agent Negotiation Window) opens, I’m going to have a look at one potential free agent from the Saskatchewan Roughriders and look at their chances of re-signing with the Grey Cup Champions.

Some of the biggest unsung heroes on football teams are the guys that play Special Teams. A lot of them may not get a lot of reps on defense or on offense, but they serve an important role on the team. That’s where Defensive Lineman Benoit Marion fits in with the Roughriders.

Benoit Marion – photo courtesy CFL.ca

Marion was the only D-Lineman that regularly played special teams in 2025 (typically they are DBs and LBs), but he was still tied for 2nd on the team in special teams tackles last season. With the right passport, there’s still a big value in someone like Marion to the 2026 Roughriders. Besides specials, he can be part of the D-Line rotation, which, while he didn’t get a lot of work there in 2025, did very well in 2024 in his limited time in Saskatchewan. I was quite impressed with him at the end of the ‘24 season and had some bigger hopes for him in ‘25.

That didn’t materialize, the Riders didn’t use him on defense at all, but he was still great on specials. But was it enough to bring him back for the 2026 season? I don’t think so.

The team could draft another Canadian D-Lineman in April’s Canadian Draft to replace Marion’s spot, which is honestly, the best route. Age is not on Marion’s side as he is 30 years old, and while there isn’t a lot of wear and tear on him, investing in and playing a younger option is the better plan. I think Marion is one of the Roughriders that isn’t offered a contract and is let go to free agency.

Previous Free Agent Discussions:

Receiver Kian Schaffer-Baker

Receiver Tommy Nield

Defensive Lineman Mike Rose

Defensive Back DaMarcus Fields

Quarterback Jack Coan

Defensive Lineman Habakkuk Baldonado

Long Snapper Jorgen Hus

Defensive Back Nelson Lokombo

Offensive Lineman Jacob Brammer

Offensive Lineman Sean McEwen

Defensive Lineman Malik Carney