James Franklin. (File photo by Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

By Britton Gray/ CJME News

James Franklin signs one-year extension with Riders

Jan 12, 2021 | 3:03 PM

While he has never played a game for the Saskatchewan Roughriders, James Franklin is being given a contract extension.

Franklin, who joined the CFL team during the 2020 off-season, has signed a one-year extension with the Green and White.

The Oklahoma City-born quarterback, who spent three seasons with the Edmonton Eskimos before joining the Toronto Argonauts for two seasons, was a name that had often been connected with the Roughriders and former head coach and general manager Chris Jones.

Jones had been Franklin’s head coach in Edmonton in 2015 before Jones joined the Roughriders in 2016.

Current Riders offensive co-ordinator Jason Maas was Franklin’s head coach in Edmonton in 2016 and 2017.

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During his career, Franklin has completed 378 of 573 pass attempts for 4,305 yards and 23 touchdowns. He has also thrown 16 interceptions. On the ground, Franklin has rushed for 593 yards and 17 touchdowns.

The Riders also added to their Canadian talent on Tuesday.

Linebacker Blair Smith signed a one-year contract with the Roughriders. Smith, who is from Mississauga, spent five seasons in Edmonton after being selected in the seventh round (60th overall) of the 2015 CFL draft.

Smith has played in 59 games, recording 57 special-teams tackles to go along with 16 defensive tackles.