Hard financial decisions await Jones
Chris Jones went from the harsh reality of an early end to the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ season to the new reality of what’s ahead for the CFL.
The Riders’ head coach and general manager said Tuesday that most of his time since Sunday’s 23-18 playoff loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has been devoted to dealing with a new football-operations salary cap that is to take effect in 2019.
The introduction of a ceiling will limit teams to 28 football-operations employees, including a coaching staff of 11, with a collective salary that is not to exceed $2.738 million.
“It’s the first time we’ve faced this as a league,” Jones said. “It certainly became a reality and it hits you right in the face. As soon as you get put out, then it becomes time to start focusing on that. That’s where I’ve been for the last 48 hours.
“You get all of these numbers and you have a certain amount of people … the unfortunate reality is there are five to six people who won’t be with the organization anymore.”
Jones added that salaries for remaining staff could be cut by as much as 10 per cent to adhere to the new rules. He is not exempt from the salary slashing.
“Like, I would walk around here and not take a pay cut?” said Jones, who is signed through the 2019 season.
The cap is the CFL’S method of dealing with the escalating costs of non-football-related expenses.
The salary management system includes equipment staff, video personnel and analysts, athletic trainers, those involved in player personnel and scouting, and strength and conditioning coaches.
The Riders currently have 14 coaches and co-ordinators, including Jones, listed on its website.
Cap management isn’t the only challenge Jones is facing this offseason. The current collectivebargaining agreement between the league and the CFL Players’ Association expires May 15.
The Alliance of American Football (AAF) is also slated to open play in February in the United States. The impact of the eightteam AAF has already been felt by some CFL teams, with prospects electing to remain in the United States.
“It’s certainly a concern,” Jones said. “The quality of the game is the main thing. We have to keep a good quality product on the field because if it starts diminishing, people will stop coming to the games.”
According to 3Downnation, the Riders have 27 players eligible to file for free agency in February. The list includes quarterbacks Zach Collaros and Brandon Bridge, receiver Naaman Roosevelt, defensive end Willie Jefferson, defensive tackles Zack Evans and Eddie Steele, linebackers Sam Eguavoen and Sam Hurl, and defensive back Jovon Johnson.
Jones got a jump on the freeagency period by announcing that running back Marcus Thigpen had been signed to a one-year extension through the 2019 season.
Jones understands that the uncertainty regarding the CBA, the new league in the United States, and the possible return of the XFL could make more difficult to resign free agents.