Eskimos QB James Franklin traded to Argos

Quarterback James Franklin is being traded from Edmonton to the Argos, per sources.

Toronto acquires exclusive negotiating rights as he’s a pending free agent in February. Sources say a few CFL teams inquired about trading for Franklin throughout 2017.

Canadian offensive lineman Mason Woods was sent Edmonton for a third rounder as part of the deal.

Over three seasons in Edmonton, Franklin completed 116-of-176 passes (66 completion rate) for 1,449 yards and 12 touchdowns against one interception. He’s carried the ball 18 times for 145 yards and one touchdown. The 26-year-old’s last start came in 2016 when he lit up Toronto connecting on 18-of-23 passes for 335 yards and four touchdowns in a 41-17 Eskimos victory.

Franklin was originally added to the green and gold’s negotiation list while playing at the University of Missouri in the SEC. He was off for a little while when attending Detriot Lions training camp in 2014, but after sparse use the Eskimos readded him suspecting he could be let go and indeed that was the case. Then Franklin signed with Edmonton in April 2015.