Last off-season Micah Johnson was the hottest defensive free agent available. This off-season, he should be hot again.

Johnson’s monstrous 2018 sack total fell this past season. But his impact on opposing offenses was still very apparent. He was the anchor of the #1 defense in the CFL. Johnson says he’d like to get a new deal with the Riders, and knows he has to be patient.

“You see the turnover they’re having with the coaching staff, trying to get everything locked down,” says Johnson. “So, I understand that they have to get those type of things situated before.

“The team has told me they like what I did, liked the season I had. Talking to (Jeremy O’Day), conversations he’s had with my agent have been all positive.”

Johnson is one of 31 free agents that the Riders have to decide on before February 11. Eight of the free agents were starters on defense this past season. That leaves the potential for significant turnover among important players.

Johnson sympathizes with fans who crave continuity heading into an important season.

“I know it’s not fun for fans. Fans want familiarity with the players and they want familiar faces and they want guys they feel like are part of the community. I definitely understand that from the fans perspective.”

Johnson is living in Regina with his two sons while his oldest finishes out the first half of the school year. If you want evidence that they’ve acclimated to Saskatchewan, it’s in how 8-year-old JaCorian is embracing this recent cold snap.

“He gets dressed, throws on a snowsuit, puts on his snow boots and he’s happy out the door,” says Johnson. “It trips me out! They’re even going outside for recess still. Ain’t no way I’d have been going outside for recess. The kid don’t even care.”

CFL free agency begins at 12:00 pm ET on February 11, 2020.