CFLPA president makes statement regarding CFL rookie Canadian CBA amendment

It appears the Toronto Argonauts will have to wait a little bit longer to officially sign receiver T.J. Jones.

According to TSN’s Dave Naylor, the CFLPA did not accept the league’s proposed amendment to rules surrounding rookie Canadian contracts that included those who joined the league via the NFL.

Hearing that the issue around Canadians with NFL experience being subject to CFL rookie 🇨🇦 salary cap (the @TorontoArgos/TJ Jones case) remains unresolved. CFLPA did not accept league’s proposed amendment. It’s expected more discussion between the league and the CFLPA on this.

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— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) March 3, 2020

As it currently stands, Jones would have to sign a rookie deal for the league minimum for three years. The Argos had been trying to sign Jones to a deal worth $200,000 a season.

The 27-year-old was a sixth-round pick, 189th overall in the 2014 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions. He played the first four seasons of his NFL career in the Motor City. During 45 NFL games, Jones has made 67 receptions for 852 yards and five touchdowns.

The six-foot, 190-pounder can return kicks and punts as well. Jones has 14 kick returns for 292 yards and 29 punt returns for 289 yards in the NFL. He has 4.48 40-yard speed and is dynamic in the open field.

The University of Notre Dame product made three catches for 38 yards and one touchdown plus eight punt returns for 96 yards — including a 60-yarder – but fumbled three times, losing two in three games with the New York Giants in 2019.

Jones caught 12 passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns in the preseason with New York. Due to his veteran status, Jones was not eligible for a practice roster spot with any NFL team. Through parts of seven NFL seasons, Jones has made nearly $4 million.

While playing for the Fighting Irish, Jones recorded 181 receptions for 2,429 yards and 19 touchdowns plus two rushing TDs. During his senior season at Notre Dame, Jones caught 70 balls for 1,108 yards and nine touchdowns. The Winnipeg native had six catches for 90 yards in the 2013 BCS National Championship loss to the University of Alabama.

Update:

CFLPA President Solomon Elimimian Elimimian has released the following statement regarding Canadian rookie contracts.

#CFLPA pic.twitter.com/EotLWztg6t

— Solomon Elimimian (@SolomonE56) March 3, 2020

3Down Staff