Sticking around.
Tailback Dedrick Mills re-upped with the Red and White for his fourth season in Calgary after joining the team as a rookie in 2022.
“The community I’ve built, the relationships I’ve built, and I love the city, man,” Mills said on extending his contract with the Stamps. “The team really uplifted me when I was down and always stood by my side, and I felt like (Calgary) is the place to be. It feels like home.”
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In 33 career games played, the 28-year-old has rushed for 2,184 yards and seven touchdowns and made 65 receptions for 327 yards through the air.
Although the Nebraska product has never played a full 18-game season in his CFL career, he’s been close to cracking the 1,000 rushing yard mark twice. Filling in for an injured Ka’DeemCarey in 2023, he tallied 802 yards on the ground in 15 games played.
Last season, Mills took over the starting duties but was limited to just 13 appearances in 2024, when he recorded 923 yards rushing.
Entering 2025, he’s determined to play in all 18 contests.
“It’s definitely one of my goals to play all 18 games and lead the league in rushing,” Mills informed. “So, I’ll be looking forward to playing all 18 games this year.
“I feel like if I got all 18 games (last season) I would have been one of the top rushers in the league, even number one.”
To play all 18, you have to be healthy for all 18, and Mills claims he’s more prepared than he ever has been.
“I feel locked in and ready to go,” he said. “I’m more focused than I’ve ever been. I’m just ready to get back to work and show the young guys how a vet is supposed to run the room.”
However, you can’t have a successful run game without a sturdy offensive line to open holes and provide gaps. With Bryce Bell, Joshua Coker and Christy Nkanu already locked in for 2025, and Zack Williams and D’Antne Demery signing contract extensions this off-season, Mills believes the familiarity he’s built with the o-line and the consistency within the group will lead to positive production for this upcoming campaign.
“It’s very important,” he admitted. “I know the guys and the challenges they have, and I have. We all come together and it’s going to be a greater year this year because they are very familiar with the offence, and everybody should be ready to go and locked in. I feel like we’re going to ball out this year and everybody’s going to leave it all out on the field.”
Following the 5-12-1 record in 2024, changes were imminent for the Stampeders.
General manager and head coach Dave Dickenson announced he had a plan to get back on track for 2025, and he’s stayed true to his word on shaking things up.
Coaching changes, contract extensions, trades – this off-season’s had it all so far and we’re still yet to hit the free-agency period.
Mills has also been following along and supports the decisions Dickenson has made so far.
“We needed a few changes on the team to get to where we need to be. I think Dave did a great job with the coaches he hired, the players he brought back, and the players that he’s traded for.
“I feel like we’re going to go out and ball and have a great season this year, especially once everyone gets to camp and everybody can get familiar with each other, get to know each other, and become a family.”