The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed a two-year contract extension with pending free-agent linebacker Jameer Thurman.
The 29-year-old middle linebacker appeared in 17 regular season games for the Roughriders, registering 76 defensive tackles, three tackles for loss, two special teams tackles, one sack, two interceptions – including one he returned 28 yards for a touchdown in Week 3 – one forced fumble, one pass knockdown, and three fumble recoveries.
Thurman joined the Riders in free agency after a strong 2023 season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, recording 98 defensive tackles and five sacks while also adding two interceptions, one tackle for a loss, four pass knockdowns, two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery.
Before signing with the Ticats, Thurman played four seasons (2017-2018, 2021-2022) with the Calgary Stampeders. He played 64 games with the Stamps, notching 267 defensive tackles, 31 special teams tackles, six sacks, six interceptions and eight forced fumbles. He won a Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 2018.
In January 2019, Thurman signed with the Chicago Bears and made 16 tackles in the preseason but was released before the start of the campaign.
In 2024, with the Riders, Thurman was the captain of the defence and named a West Division all-star. He was instrumental in several game-winning plays, including his critical forced fumble late in Week 7 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and a late fourth-quarter interception in Week 16 against the Calgary Stampeders.
Thurman also started in both postseason games, tallying an additional 13 defensive tackles.
