Saskatchewan Roughriders’ pending free agent offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick has revealed how long he would want to continue playing football

Saskatchewan Roughriders offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick, whose contract is set to expire in February, has revealed he hopes to keep playing three-down football until at least age 40 — and possibly even beyond. Hardrick, who turns 36 on May 30 ahead of the 2026 CFL season, has been inspired by former teammate Stanley Bryant, who appears set to play left tackle for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at 40 next year.

“I want to play until they tell me not to show up anymore,” Hardrick told 3DownNation during Grey Cup week. “Once it’s over, it’s over. You can go to the YMCA and play basketball — I don’t think I can pass block anybody there — so I’m going to keep playing until they tell me not.”

The 6’4”, 315-pound right tackle almost didn’t envision this longevity after suffering a season-ending quad injury in 2024 against the B.C. Lions, which forced him to miss 13 regular-season games and two playoff contests. “During rehab, I wasn’t thinking about playing to 40. I was just thinking, ‘Will I be able to pass set again?’ I couldn’t even bend my leg,” he said. Seeing Bryant succeed gave him a blueprint. “Stan showed me the way. The recipe isn’t messed up; I’m just adding my own flavor.”

Hardrick has revamped his offseason training to focus on flexibility and longevity. Instead of heavy, low-rep lifting, he now does moderate weights with higher reps and emphasizes range of motion. “I used to be a meathead, just get as strong as I can and show up sore. Now it’s about being able to bend and squat at any time without soreness,” he explained.

In addition to traditional workouts, Hardrick incorporates spin classes, yoga, and stretching while staying active with his three children and wife, Samantha. His family was instrumental in his move from Winnipeg to Saskatchewan in 2024, and their input will again factor into his decision this offseason.

Hardrick praised the Riders and their staff, saying, “I love O’Day, I love Mace, I love the team, the field in Regina… it’s everything you dream about as a kid. One day it actually happens.”

His performance in 2025 earned him the CFL’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman award and a salary of $218,700, keeping him as the league’s highest-paid American offensive lineman for the second consecutive year. Hardrick credited mentors like Bryant for helping him achieve the honor.

Re-signing Hardrick would give the Roughriders a major boost as they aim to defend their Grey Cup title in 2026, providing the kind of impact comparable to a Yoshi-level upgrade in football terms.