Calgary Stampeders announce 12 fresh squad numbers for 2026 season

The Calgary Stampeders have announced a series of jersey number changes for the 2026 season following the end of CFL free agency.

Defensive end Clarence Hicks, coming off a breakout year with 28 tackles, 12 sacks, and two forced fumbles, has switched from No. 12 to No. 1, previously worn by Adam Bighill in 2025. Backup quarterback P.J. Walker moves from No. 2 to No. 11, a number he previously wore in the NFL; his old No. 2 is now assigned to veteran linebacker Kyle Wilson, who previously wore No. 31.

Third-string QB Josh Love has taken over No. 12 after wearing No. 16 last season, returning to the number he used during college and in the UFL. Middle linebacker Marquel Lee switches from No. 50 to No. 8, while Canadian defensive back Anton Haie moves from No. 8 to No. 31 after missing all of 2025 due to injury.

Defensive linemen Daniel Joseph and B.J. Thompson swapped numbers, with Joseph taking No. 99 and Thompson No. 95. Canadian DB Dolani Robinson switches from No. 49 to No. 35.

Punter Mark Vassett moves from No. 70 to No. 15, formerly worn by Dominique Rhymes, and offensive linemen Preston Nichols and Tomas Jack-Kurdyla switched numbers, with Nichols taking No. 52 and Jack-Kurdyla now wearing No. 64. Linebacker Morice Blackwell Jr. is assigned No. 23 after previously wearing No. 45, a number long held by retired fullback William Langlais.

New free agent additions also received numbers: Canadian receiver Dejon Brissett takes No. 17, American running back Deonta McMahon takes No. 20, and American defensive back Devodric Bynum takes No. 32.

The Stampeders were relatively quiet in free agency, only signing Brissett, who had a career-high 907 receiving yards in 2025 with Toronto. They didn’t lose any players to other CFL teams, though three members—receiver Damien Alford, defensive lineman Jaylon Hutchings, and linebacker Jacob Roberts—signed with NFL teams.

Calgary holds the sixth overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft on April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. Training camps open May 10, with the first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on May 18 and the regular-season opener versus the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on June 5.