The Riders are the only team Shaq Evans knows and he wants to keep it that way

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The city of Regina has grown on CFL all-star receiver Shaq Evans.

He left the sun and beaches in California to spend part of his off-season in the Queen City.

“I love it here, I’m here in freaking winter, I must like it here a little bit if I left LA to come here,” Evans said on 620 CKRM radio.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ play-maker recorded 72 catches for a team-leading 1,334 yards and five touchdowns during the 2019 season. It was his first 1,000-yard season, displaying the potential for him to be a long-term No. 1 target in the CFL.

“It’s weird because usually you have some kind of leverage because of the way you played the previous season, but now no one has any film from this past year for obvious reasons. I know the core wants to stay together, I’m definitely open to coming back here,” Evans said.

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After signing a one-year extension for the 2020 season, which was cancelled due COVID-19, Evans is a pending free agent in February 2021. He led the CFL with 15 catches of 30 yards or more and averaged 18.5 yards per reception in 2019, which topped all qualified players.

“I know where I want to be, it’s the only team I know, and this is where I signed last year when I was a free agent,” Evans said. “If they want me back, then I’m happy to be back, but you never know what can happen.”

Evans wants to keep catching passes from franchise quarterback Cody Fajardo, who is under contract through the 2021 season.