Argonauts have eyes on former Als GM

Former Montreal Alouettes general manager Jim Popp is the leading candidate for the Toronto Argonauts’ vacant GM position.

Asource said Wednesday that Popp remains in talks with the Argos but a deal wasn’t imminent.

Popp didn’t immediately respond to a message from The Canadian Press.

Popp was photographed Tuesday night sitting with Larry Tanenbaum during the Toronto Maple Leafs’ 5-4 overtime win over the Winnipeg Jets at the Air Canada Centre.

Tanenbaum is chairman of Maple Leafs Sports And Entertainment, which owns the Leafs, but is also the Argos co-owner. “We have no comment on any speculation regarding our search for a new general manager,” Argos spokesperson Jamie Dykstra said.

Montreal fired Popp on Nov. 7 after missing the playoffs for a second straight year. He had served as GM since the franchise’s return to the CFL in 1996 and departed with one year remaining on his contract.

Last month, Toronto fired GM Jim Barker and, shortly afterwards, head coach Scott Milanovich resigned to become the Jacksonville Jaguars’ quarterbacks coach.

If Popp lands in Toronto, he could potentially bring in former Als coach Marc Trestman.

Popp hired Trestman in Montreal in 2008 and, over five seasons, Trestman led the franchise to three Grey Cup appearances, winning in 200910.

Trestman, 61, was 13-19 over two seasons as the Chicago Bears head coach before being fired in 2014. He became the Baltimore Ravens’ offensive co-ordinator on Jan. 20, 2015, but was released Oct. 10, 2016.