By Canadian Press

Source: Veteran American linebacker Pickett agrees in principle to deal with Ottawa

Feb 5, 2024 | 9:46 AM

Adarius Pickett is on the move.

According to a CFL source, the veteran American linebacker has agreed in principle to a deal with the Ottawa Redblacks once free agency begins Feb. 13. 

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity as the agreement can’t be formally announced until the free-agent period officially begins at noon ET on Feb. 13.

Pickett, 27, was expected to garner much attention in free agency as one of the top available defensive players following a stellar 2023 season with the Toronto Argonauts. 

The five-foot-11, 210-pound linebacker was the East Division’s top defensive player after registering 105 tackles, 19 special-teams tackles, six sacks and one forced fumble en route to being named a CFL all-star.

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Pickett began his CFL career with the Montreal Alouettes (2021-22). The former UCLA star has registered 201 tackles, 38 special-teams tackles, 11 sacks, four forced fumbles, and two interceptions in 48 contests.

The free-agent window opened Sunday, allowing teams to talk freely with any pending free agents or their representatives. The window will remain open until noon ET on Feb. 11, during which time teams can make formal offers to any potential free agents.

Offers that are made must be registered with both the CFL and CFLPA and will be considered binding and can’t be rescinded.

Once the window closes Feb. 11, pending free agents will have a 48-hour negotiating window with the teams they remain under contract with. At any time, every CFL club will be provided any offers the pending free agents received during the week-long open window period.

Teams will have until 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 13 to make an offer to their own free agents. Copies of those proposals must again go to both the CFL office and CFLPA.

Pending free agents will then have from 10 a.m. until noon ET to accept any offer that’s been made to them. Should a player not accept any of the proposals, he’ll become a free agent at 12:01 p.m. ET on Feb. 13 and be able to sign with the team of his choosing.

So while Pickett has agreed to terms with Ottawa, he’ll have to wait until the start of free agency to officially sign the deal.

Also on Monday, the Argos signed Canadian kicker Lirim Hajrullahu while releasing American kicker Boris Bede and making him a free agent. Two anonymous league sources said Monday the expectation is Bede will join the Edmonton Elks.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 5, 2024.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press