One of the priority players to sign this off-season for the Saskatchewan Roughriders has been checked off the list just before the C-F-L’s free agency period begins.
The Green and White announced that American defensive back Marcus Sayles has inked a two-year contract extension. The five-foot-nine, 180-pound Sayles re-signs with the Riders after being named All-C-F-L for the second time in 2024. During 17 regular season games last year, Sayles recorded 77 defensive plays, 57 tackles, two tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries and tied his career-high with four interceptions, one which produced a 54-yard pick-six. He recorded 12 pass knockdowns, second-best in the C-F-L last season and fourth most in Roughriders’ single-season history. The New York product came to the Green and White in June of last year 2024 after five C-F-L seasons between the B-C Lions and Winnipeg. Following is the news release from the Riders…..
DATE: February 5, 2025
RELEASE TIME: IMMEDIATELY
RELEASE: SR25-024
SAYLES STAYING IN SASK, INKS TWO-YEAR EXTENSION
The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed American defensive back Marcus Sayles to a two-year contract extension.
Sayles (5’9-180) returns to the Roughriders after an incredible season in which he was named All-CFL for the second time. Over 17 games played, Sayles registered 57 defensive tackles and two tackles for a loss and was a magnet for the ball. He tied his career high of four interceptions, one of which produced a 54-yard pick-six (in Week 5), while adding two fumble recoveries. The shut-down cornerback also recorded 12 pass knockdowns, second-best in the CFL and fourth in Rider history, en route to making a total of 77 defensive plays. He was named the league’s top defender across all defensive positions for the month of September by Pro Football Focus after registering 12 defensive tackles and earning two of his four interceptions that month.
Sayles came to the Roughriders in June of 2024 with five seasons of CFL experience, gained with the B.C. Lions and Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The New York native spent three seasons (2021-23) as a core piece of the Lions’ defensive backfield, earning 158 tackles, two sacks, six interceptions and two forced fumbles over 49 games. He was an All-CFL selection in 2022 after registering career highs in tackles (68) and interceptions (4), one of which he returned for a 45-yard TD.
Prior to joining the Lions, Sayles signed with the Minnesota Vikings and spent most of the 2020 season on the practice roster. He previously spent two seasons (2018-19) with the Blue Bombers, playing in 34 games and tallying 136 defensive tackles, two sacks, six interceptions and five forced fumbles. He was named a West Division All-CFLer in 2019, when he also helped the Bombers win the Grey Cup.
Before landing in the CFL, Sayles spent time with the Buffalo Bills and Los Angeles Rams in 2017.
