The Ottawa Redblacks and defensive lineman Cleyon Laing agreed to a two-year contract extension on Thursday through the 2024 season. The 32-year-old from Edmonton, Alberta, had 27 tackles and one sack in 18 games for Ottawa in 2022.
This will be Laing’s fourth season in Ottawa and his tenth season in the CFL. The Toronto Argonauts drafted Laing in the first round (9th pick) in the 2012 CFL Draft. However, he chose to finish his collegiate career at Iowa State before joining them in 2013.
In his rookie year, Laing had 15 tackles and four sacks in 14 games. Laing played three seasons in Toronto with 63 tackles, seven sacks, and two forced fumbles in 44 games. He was named a CFL East All-Star in 2015.
After Toronto, Laing signed with the Miami Dolphins in 2016 but was cut during training camp. However, he signed the Dolphins’ practice squad. Shortly after being released by Miami in October, Laing returned to the CFL, this time with the Ottawa Redblacks. He played one game against the Edmonton Eskimos. The Redblacks went on to win the 104th Grey Cup championship over the Calgary Stampeders.
In 2017, Laing returned to the Toronto Argonauts for his second stint. He played three seasons in Toronto (2017-19) with 82 tackles, 18 sacks, and one forced fumble in 44 games. He helped the Argonauts win the 105th Grey Cup championship over the Calgary Stampeders. In addition, Laing was named a CFL East All-Star three times.
In 2021, Laing returned to the Ottawa Redblacks. In two seasons in his second stint, Laing has 52 tackles and six sacks in 31 games.
Collegiately, Laing played four seasons at Iowa State (2009-12) with 71 tackles, 3.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, and two pass breakups in 39 games.
