Roughriders already addressing free agency
Some prominent Saskatchewan Roughriders players face an uncertain future after Sunday’s 2521 CFL playoff loss to the Toronto Argonauts.
The list of pending free agents includes quarterback Brandon Bridge, receiver Duron Carter and defensive end Willie Jefferson.
Bridge, who has been with the Riders since August 2016, said Sunday that contract talks with the team have begun.
“My agent sent over a proposal,’’ Bridge said after the East Division final. “We’ll find out what happens and see what the Saskatchewan Roughriders want to do.
“I would definitely love to stay here. At the end of the day, it’s still a business and we’ll find out what happens.’’
Bridge may have improved his stock with his performance late in Sunday’s game, when he came close to pulling out a win and a berth in Sunday’s Grey Cup game. Bridge, 25, also showed some potential in relief of Kevin Glenn during the 2017 season.
Carter led the Riders in receiving yards (1,043), was tied for second with Naaman Roosevelt in touchdown receptions (eight), and was third on the team in catches (73). Carter also led the Riders with six receptions for 99 yards and a touchdown on Sunday.
This season, he also filled in at cornerback and returned an interception 43 yards for a touchdown.
Carter has reportedly drawn interest from NFL teams, but is unsure of what the future holds.
“Playing in the NFL has been my dream since I could remember,” he told reporters in Regina on Monday. “That’s what I’ve always wanted to do so in the right situation I would definitely love to be there, but I’m 26 going on 27. I have to make some life choices in a sense so I can’t just keep waiting.”
Carter ingratiated himself to Rider Nation in his first season with the Riders. That relationship may play a role in the possibility of Carter re-signing with the Riders.
“I think I left a little bit of a mark in Rider Nation,’’ Carter said Sunday. “Even if I didn’t come back, I think they would still remember me.’’
Carter would certainly welcome the opportunity to come back.
“I haven’t even thought about it. But I love my teammates,” he said Monday. “Being here is definitely something I want to do, coming back with Naaman and Bridge and KG (Glenn) and everybody, it definitely feels like home. Definitely I would love to stay.”
Jefferson led the team with eight sacks and paced the CFL with 37 quarterback pressures in 2017. On Sunday, Jefferson had an interception, a defensive tackle and four quarterback pressures.
“I would love to come back, play under Chris Jones, and go for another Grey Cup,’’ Jefferson said. “Until they tell me how they feel, I’m a free agent.’’
Jones is hoping to chat with Jefferson and Carter in short order.
“There will be some clarification on Willie pretty soon,” Jones said Monday.
“Duron is a dynamic player. I’m sitting down with him today. He certainly will have some NFL interest, maybe on both sides of the football. I’ve not actually spoken to anybody in the NFL, but I know for sure there have been people who’ve come by and watched him.
“So I’m going to get some clarification from Duron on exactly what direction he wants to go in the next 24, 48 hours.”
The list of pending free agents also includes offensive linemen Dan Clark, Bruce Campbell and Thaddeus Coleman.
“It is technically accurate,” Jones said when asked about the free-agency status of those three linemen. “We’ve already had discussions with some. We have some agreements in place that are verbal.”