IT WAS NEVER ABOUT MONEY
QB Harris wore out his welcome with the Redblacks
For many Ottawa Redblacks fans, losing quarterback Trevor Harris as a free agent to the Edmonton Eskimos earlier this year was a huge slap in the face.
There were so many whys and not nearly enough answers — especially since there had been a verbal agreement between the two sides for Harris to return for the 2019 season.
But the story weaves through many layers that are about more than money. It’s a story that may never fully be told in public — the Redblacks have declined to confirm details — but before Feb. 12, when Harris signed with the Eskimos for $525,000 on the first day of CFL free agency, both sides had decided it was time for a split.
With the Redblacks playing the Eskimos for the first time this season — Friday in Edmonton — the story of how and why Harris is now wearing green is very much in play. Some Redblacks players speak about a locker-room disconnect with the quarterback. They question Harris’ accountability and his ability to be a leader. Too often, they say, he was quick to place blame on others, in particular his offensive linemen.
“It doesn’t make (Harris) a bad person, but I didn’t like the fact sometimes he was pointing fingers at other guys,” said Redblacks defensive back Antoine Pruneau. “Sometimes, it’s tough to expose yourself to critics. I’ve always been my toughest judge, so I expect teammates to be the same way — look at yourself first. If you have something to say, keep it down low.”
There’s no doubt Harris is a very good CFL quarterback. In 2018, his third season as a Redblack, he amassed 5,116 yards passing, with 22 touchdown tosses. Already this season in Edmonton, he has 2,304 yards and 10 touchdown passes in just seven games. But his demeanour off the field has rubbed some teammates the wrong way. (For the record, during his three years in Ottawa I liked Trevor and enjoyed talking to him).
Trying to connect all the dots isn’t easy, but here’s a bit of a timeline: Harris had reached a verbal agreement in place to stay in Ottawa on a contract that would have paid him $475,000 for the 2019 season. But then came the back and forth.
Harris’s agent, Paul Brown, asked for a big signing bonus, believed to be about $300,000, doubling what the original agreement called for. It’s been reported the Redblacks offered to split the difference. That didn’t get it done.
When the Redblacks re-signed last season’s backup Dominique Davis on Jan. 25, they had decided to move on from Harris. And it’s very possible Harris and his agent had decided they were moving on as well.
Earlier this year, Harris said: “It wasn’t a thing where I was chasing dollars or anything like that. I wanted to be back, I wanted to finish my career there, and I don’t regret saying that. I thought that was going to happen.”
As free agency was approaching, Harris wanted to know what the team planned to do with some of the potential free agents — SirVincent Rogers, Greg Ellingson and William Powell were among those who ended up leaving. All were represented by the same agency.
“I asked to have a conversation with (Redblacks GM) Marcel (Desjardins),” said Harris earlier this year. “I hoped we could smooth things over and talk about which way things were going. I was concerned whether we would keep all the guys (who were potential free agents) together. That didn’t seem to be the case.
“I wanted to have a conversation to ease my mind. It never happened. That’s when it started becoming clear to me that they were going in a different direction. That was disappointing. I was holding out hope that we could make it work.”
It’s likely the Redblacks didn’t want to discuss personnel decisions with their quarterback and the request probably further pushed them away.
There’s also this: Players have said that Harris, representing the Redblacks in contract negotiations with the CFL, seconded a motion to remove the national ratio, which protects Canadian players. While Harris has denied it, that ticked off some of the Redblacks’ Canadian players.
On Friday, it will be Harris vs. Davis, his replacement. And it will be the 3-4 Redblacks versus the 4-3 Eskimos, a team with so many former Ottawa players on the roster.
“It will be interesting,” said Redblacks coach Rick Campbell. “It will probably be a little different to see those guys — having them on a different team will be a different feeling. ”
In his return to the lineup after missing three games with a thumb injury, Pruneau is looking forward to facing the Eskimos ... and Harris.
“I’d like to hit Trevor, but I don’t want to injure him,” said Pruneau. “He’s a good competitor, so I’m looking forward to the matchup. He was our quarterback here so there’s history. You’re never going to be liked by everybody, but we had a good run while he was (in Ottawa).”
I didn’t like the fact sometimes he was pointing fingers at other guys . ... If you have something to say, keep it down low.