The Saskatchewan Roughriders have reportedly signed defensive lineman James Vaughters on Sunday according to John Hodge. Players can officially sign with their new teams on February 10, 2025.
James Vaughters is six foot two and weighs 260 pounds. The 32-year-old from Chicago, Illinois, signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on January 31, 2025. In 2025, he made 36 tackles, six sacks, and one touchdown in 17 games. In the Eastern Semi-Final against the Montreal Alouettes, Vaughters made one tackle.
The Green Bay Packers signed Vaughters as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2015. He also spent time with the New England Patriots and the San Diego Chargers. Vaughters made 10 tackles (7 solos, 3 assists) in seven preseason games.
The Calgary Stampeders signed Vaughters on July 25, 2016. In 2017, Vaughters made 26 tackles, six tackles on special teams, and six sacks in 17 games for Calgary. The following year, Vaughters made 24 tackles, two tackles on special teams, and five sacks in 16 games when the Stampeders won the 106th Grey Cup championship over the Ottawa Redblacks 27-16.
The Stampeders released Vaughters on January 2, 2019, and he signed with the Chicago Bears on January 7, 2019. He played two seasons with 25 tackles (18 solos, 7 assists), two tackles for loss, and 1.5 sacks in 17 games. The Bears released him on August 31, 2021. The Atlanta Falcons signed Vaughters on September 3, 2021.
In 2021, he made eight tackles (4 solos, 4 assists) and one sack in ten games. The Falcons released him on May 2, 2022, and he signed with the Pittsburgh Steelers on August 15, 2022. In 2022, he made one tackle (1 assist) in two preseason games. The Steelers released him on August 30, 2022.
The Calgary Stampeders signed Vaughters on January 25, 2023. In 2023, he made 15 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles in six games. In 2024, he made 32 tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles in 18 games. The Stampeders released him on January 27, 2025.
Collegiately, Vaughters played four seasons at Stanford (2011-14) with 139 tackles (82 solos, 57 assists), 19 tackles for loss, 12.5 sacks, three pass breakups, three forced fumbles, and two fumble recoveries in 55 games for the Cardinal.
