Calgary Stampeders bring back former NFL linebacker standing 1.90m, 109kg

The Calgary Stampeders have secured the return of American linebacker Marquel Lee ahead of the opening of CFL free agency on February 10.

Lee, 30, was installed as Calgary’s starting middle linebacker during the 2025 season but was limited to six starts after suffering an injury. In those appearances, he recorded 26 defensive tackles, including two tackles for loss, along with a pass breakup. He initially joined the Stampeders late in the 2024 campaign, dressing for three games and contributing five defensive tackles and three special teams tackles.

Before arriving in the CFL, the Wake Forest alumnus spent four seasons in the NFL, appearing in 45 games with the Las Vegas Raiders and totaling 115 tackles. He also had stints with the Buffalo Bills and the Arlington Renegades of the United Football League, where he posted 51 tackles in 10 games.

At the collegiate level, the six-foot-three, 234-pound linebacker played 48 games over four seasons with Wake Forest. He earned first-team All-ACC honours in his senior year, finishing his college career with 291 tackles, 14.5 sacks, and 37 starts.

The Stampeders closed the 2025 season third in the West Division with an 11–7 record before being eliminated by the B.C. Lions in the West Semi-Final. Quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. threw for 4,247 yards, 21 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions, guiding Calgary to an 11–6 record in his starts.

Calgary ranked fourth in net offence, seventh in net defence, and second in turnover differential at +9. Dedrick Millsled the league with 1,409 rushing yards, Dominique Rhymes topped the team in receiving with 886 yards, and Jacob Roberts paced the defence with 102 tackles. The Stampeders averaged 22,295 fans per game, finishing fifth in CFL attendance and marking a 3.5 percent increase from the previous season.