Stampers sign DB Demerio Houston

The Calgary Stampeders made a splash in Canadian Football League (CFL) free agency on Tuesday, signing 2023 quarterback Demerio Houston to a two-year contract.

The 27-year-old defenseman finished the 2023 season with seven games as a member of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Houston's stellar 2023 campaign included 50 tackles, three interceptions and four knockdowns in 15 games. He had one touchdown in Week 11 on a 45-yard pick-six against Calgary.

The North Carolina product spent three seasons in the CFL – all with the Blue Bombers – totaling 84 tackles, nine interceptions and one touchdown.

The Stampeders also announced the signings of linebacker Matthew Schiltz, offensive tackle Trevon Tate and linebacker Micah Teitz.

While they typically don't do much in CFL Free Agency, the Stamps knew from their 6-12 record that it was time to get active.

“You know, the free agency window is weird because we felt like everything was in place and it's just a matter of holding your breath and seeing what you agree on at 10:00 o'clock. hit today,” Dave Dickenson, the Stampedes' head coach, said Tuesday.

“So we're organized and we're into it and I think our guys are excited to be here.”

Schiltz, 31, is a veteran of six CFL seasons, most recently with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

He played in 11 regular-season games and made three starts in 2023, completing 108,161 passes for 1,556 yards and seven touchdowns. He added 23 carries for 160 yards and a touchdown.

On the offensive line, Tate, 27, started 10 games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2023. He hit eight lefties and two righties.

“We want to improve every room,” Dickenson said. “We wanted to find skills that we didn't have.”

Calgary native Micah Teitz, a Springbank High School and University of Calgary graduate, played his first five seasons in the CFL with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“You know in the back of my mind, even when I was called by the riders, I knew this opportunity was going to come up, and you know, we're here and I'm glad we're here,” Teitz said.

Despite a pretty stacked group of linebackers, Teitz said he believes there is a chance with the Stampeders.

“I signed here because I have an opportunity to play linebacker and continue my defensive career,” Teitz said.

“It was great to be here because it's a hometown team, but I know there will be opportunities to play and help this team.”

Teitz finished the 2023 season with 57 tackles, including three tackles for loss and two knockdowns in 18 games.