Argos sign Franklin to extension

Like the Toronto Argonauts, James Franklin is waiting on Ricky Ray.

Franklin signed a two-year contract extension with the Toronto Argonauts on Friday, less than a month after they acquired his rights from the Edmonton Eskimos. Franklin, 26, opted to forego CFL free agency even though he could again be relegated to backup duties if Ray returns.

Ray capped a stellar 2017 season by leading Toronto to a stunning 27-24 Grey Cup victory over the favoured Calgary Stampeders. But the 38-yearold is pondering his football future this off-season.

“Ricky has earned this,” Franklin said Friday. “If he comes back he’s earned the right to be the starter.

“I didn’t come here because (the Argos) told me they were going to give me the keys. I came here because they told me they wanted me and saw that I could become something great. I believed them, I believe in myself and hopefully in time that will happen.”

Being patient is nothing new for Franklin. The six-foot-two, 225-pound Oklahoma City native spent his first three CFL seasons (2015-17) backing up Edmonton veteran Mike Reilly, the CFL’s outstanding player last year.

Reilly isn’t only one of the league’s best quarterbacks he’s also one of its toughest, having missed just one regular-season game the past two years.

Franklin appeared in 12 games with Edmonton, completing 116-of-176 passes (65.9 per cent) for 1,449 yards with 12 touchdowns and one interception. He also ran for 145 yards and a TD on 18 carries (8.06-yard average).

Franklin went 2-1 as a starter with Edmonton, completing 60-of-89 passes (67.4 per cent) for 775 yards with five TDs and no interceptions. That included a 41-17 home win over Toronto in 2016 when Franklin finished 18-of-23 passing for 335 yards and four touchdowns.