In a surprising move, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have parted ways with their veteran kicker, Brett Lauther, leaving fans and experts questioning the decision.
But why let go of a kicker with such a solid track record? Lauther, a dependable 35-year-old, had a challenging 2025 season, connecting on just 39 of his 54 field goal attempts, resulting in a 72.2% success rate—a stark contrast to his impressive eight-year performance with the Roughriders. Interestingly, his average field goal attempt was from 36.5 yards, slightly longer than the league's average.
And it doesn't stop there. Lauther's struggles extended to his converts, making only 91.2% of them, the lowest in the league. This includes a crucial miss from 39 yards in the fourth quarter of the Grey Cup against Montreal, a moment that may have sealed his fate.
A native of Truro, Nova Scotia, Lauther has been a CFL mainstay for eight seasons, primarily with the Roughriders. His career statistics showcase an 81.4% field goal success rate and a 93.3% convert success rate, with 118 regular-season games under his belt. He was drafted in the seventh round of the 2013 CFL Draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats while attending Saint Mary's University.
The timing of this release is intriguing. Just last month, 3DownNation reported that Lauther was due a $25,000 roster bonus on February 1st. However, according to reporter John Hodge, the Roughriders released Lauther before this bonus was due, only announcing the move on Monday.
General Manager Jeremy O'Day hinted at the reasoning behind the decision, stating, "Brett didn't have the year we had hoped, but we had to consider his entire career..." O'Day's comments suggest a delicate balance between acknowledging Lauther's past contributions and the team's future needs.
The Roughriders' 2025 season was a remarkable one. They topped the West Division with a 12-6 record, a feat not achieved since 2019. The team's success culminated in a thrilling Grey Cup victory over the Montreal Alouettes, ending a 12-year championship drought. Quarterback Trevor Harris played a pivotal role, starting 11 games, throwing for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 11 interceptions.
Saskatchewan's performance was well-rounded, ranking second in net offense and defense, and third in turnover differential. A.J. Ouellette led the rushing game with 1,222 yards, KeeSean Johnson topped the receiving charts with 1,159 yards, and A.J. Allen led the team in tackles with 91. The Roughriders also saw a boost in attendance, averaging 28,427 fans, a 2.7% increase from the previous year.
And here's where it gets controversial: Was Lauther's release solely performance-based, or were there other factors at play? Could this be a strategic move to free up salary cap space? Or perhaps a shift in team dynamics? Share your thoughts in the comments below. Remember, every decision in sports has multiple layers, and this one is no exception!
