Vikings make deal for EX-CFL star lineman

ORCHARD PARK, N.Y. The New York Giants on Sunday traded former CFL all-star Brett Jones to the Minnesota Vikings.

Jones this summer lost the Giants’ starting centre job to Jon Halapio.

A native of Weyburn, Sask., and a former University of Regina standout, Jones had been mostly a backup centre/guard with the Giants since signing with them in 2015, although he did start most games last season as an injury replacement.

Jones previously had two standout seasons in the CFL with the Calgary Stampeders, in which he was named the league’s rookie of the year in 2013 and most outstanding offensive lineman in 2014.

The 27-year-old, at minimum, is offensive line insurance for the defending NFC North champion Vikings, whose regular starting centre Pat Elphlein has been on the physically unable to perform (PUP) list all spring and summer after having ankle and shoulder surgeries earlier in the off-season.

What’s more, Vikings starting left guard Nick Easton has been lost for the season following neck surgery. Jones could work his way into Minnesota’s starting lineup, if only temporarily.

New York reportedly received a 2019 seventh-round draft pick in exchange for Jones.

Jones was pulled off the field during the middle of Giants practice to be informed he was traded.

“I’m happy for him, ( but) it sucks to see my friend go,” Halapio said after practice.

“That’s the tough part about this business: you build relationships like this, but you know that sometimes it doesn’t go that way for us to be together forever; it’s not a marriage.

“I’m happy for him, it’s closer to home for him and he gets an opportunity to go out there and play and display his talents and what he brings to the game. He’s a good player.”