Redblacks’ Pruneau ‘excited’ to sign extension
Antoine Pruneau wants to be with the Ottawa Redblacks for his entire CFL career.
On Thursday, it was announced the team’s starting safety, who was a potential free agent, had signed a three-year contract believed to be worth more than $400,000 to remain with the Redblacks. Fullback JC Beaulieu also agreed to a two-year contract.
“These are two quality players and people and we’re happy to have them back in Ottawa moving forward,” said Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins.
“I’m very excited,” said Pruneau. “I knew it wouldn’t be too hard to get a deal done. (Desjardins) started talking about a two-year deal, I said three and he said yes right away. I’m living a good life. I love it in Ottawa.”
During the Redblacks’ locker cleanout day earlier this week after a Grey Cup loss to the Calgary Stampeders, several players talked about “keeping the band together.” The team still has more than 30 potential free agents left unsigned, including quarterback Trevor Harris, running back William Powell, receivers Greg Ellingson and Diontae Spencer, offensive linemen SirVincent Rogers and Nolan MacMillan, defensive backs Rico Murray, Sherrod Baltimore, Corey Tindal and Jonathan Rose, linebackers Kyries Hebert and Chris Ackie, punter Richie Leone and basically the entire defensive line: A.C. Leonard, Jonathan Newsome, Avery Ellis, Mike Wakefield, Michael Klassen, Ettore Lattanzio, Danny Mason, Nigel Romick and Andrew Marshall.
“Most of the guys want to come back,” said Pruneau. “I know a lot of them would take a little less to come back.”
Pruneau said he didn’t want to hang in and see what kind of money may be available with the league trying to negotiate a new collective bargaining agreement.
“Free agency is going to be crazy,” said Pruneau. “It’s much easier for me knowing where I’m going to live. I could have taken a gamble that the (salary) cap was going to go up. Maybe free agency could have been fun, there’s so much hype. But it could also go the other way.”
Pruneau, a Day 1 Redblack, had 50 defensive tackles, six special teams tackles, an interception and a forced fumble in 2018 while suiting up for 13 games.