Saskatchewan Roughriders' offensive lineman Sean McEwen is happy he won't have to deal with the noise as a visitor at Mosaic Stadium in 2025 as he's signed with the Green and White.
"I think for me, it's going out for the first snap of the year and not having to go on silent cadence in that stadium. It's going to be a nice change of pace for sure, especially as a centre. That's one of the more annoying things. I'm looking forward to being able to have that home field advantage," McEwen told the SportsCage.
The 31-year-old has been in the Canadian Football League for eight seasons. He was selected by the Toronto Argonauts in the first round, third overall during the 2015 CFL Draft. The Calgary native spent his first four seasons with the Argos and last four in Cowtown with the Stampeders.
"It's been nothing but positive so far, to be honest," McEwen said about signing with the Riders. "The way that people on the team, coaches and players have reached out to me and welcomed me so warmly, it feels great. It's the most excited I've been for a football season in a long time."
McEwen endured a 5-12-1 season with Calgary in 2024. Coming to Riderville reunites him with head coach Corey Mace and offensive coordinator Marc Mueller. Both men were coaches on the Stamps staff while the University of Calgary graduate was there.
"I've had experience with Corey Mace before, he was a big reason for the decision. I know what kind of coach he is and also what kind of person he is -- it was a football decision," McEwen said. "I have a lot of experience with [Mueller] as well and It's gonna be nice getting back to connect with him again."
The six-foot-one, 295-pound veteran has experience with Mueller's offensive system from time together in Calgary. He believes that should help him pick up the playbook quickly.
"A lot of the same kind of offence, I think I'll pick it up pretty fast," McEwen said. "There's gonna be changes, but that's something I pride myself on is being able to adjust to those changes. I think he's done a really good job so far. I'm looking forward to getting to work with him again."
McEwen has been consistently healthy throughout his CFL career. He's missed eight regular season games, suiting up in 131 games and five playoff games, winning a Grey Cup with Toronto in 2017.
"I've been in situations with a lot of injuries and stuff before, and it's so important as an O-line to be able to play together for an extended period; it's unlike any other position in that way," McEwen detailed. "It's not just: 'Oh, we can sub this guy out and put this guy in even if they're the same calibre player.' Really getting to know the people you're playing beside is so important. I'm hoping that I can bring that consistency and be that guy week in and week out to be in the lineup."
After Peter Godber, who started 27 regular season games at centre the last two seasons for Saskatchewan, signed with the Ottawa Redblacks during CFL free agency, McEwen projects to start at that spot and work with starting quarterback Trevor Harris.
"I'm really excited to get to work with that guy," McEwen said. "We were almost teammates a long time ago in Toronto, and we've kind of both followed each other's careers from afar for a while. I'm really looking forward to getting to snap him the football for sure."
