Argos sign versatile strong-side linebacker, defensive back Chris Edwards

Photo courtesy: Paul Yates/B.C. Lions

The Toronto Argonauts have signed strong-side linebacker and defensive back Chris Edwards, per sources.

It’s a one-year contract for the 2021 CFL season.

Edwards spent part of the 2020 NFL season with the San Francisco 49ers. He played in Week 12 during a 23-20 win over the Los Angeles Rams.

The 28-year-old recorded 50 tackles, one sack and one interception while starting 18 games last CFL season with the B.C. Lions. He played the first two seasons of his CFL career with the Edmonton Football Team. Through 53 games in the three-down league, Edwards has recorded 112 tackles, four interceptions, one defensive touchdown and one sack.

Prior to playing in the pros, Edwards played two seasons at Butte College before transferring to the University of Idaho for the 2014 season. In two seasons with the Vandals, he appeared in 18 games and recorded 76 total tackles, three interceptions and one touchdown.

Edwards went unselected in the 2016 NFL draft, however, the Oakland Raiders signed him to an undrafted free agent contract. He played in one pre-season game making three total tackles, but the Raiders released Edwards among the final training camp cuts.

Toronto adds a versatile defender as the boatmen improve the defence.