CFLPA investigating whether players had firm agreements from teams
TORONTO — The CFL Players’ Association is investigating whether players had firm agreements from member clubs to release them from their CFL contracts so they could pursue opportunities south of the border.
Last month, both running back James Wilder Jr. and defensive lineman Victor Butler expressed frustration when the Toronto Argonauts refused to let them out of the CFL deals so they could pursue NFL opportunities. Both players signed two-year deals with the Double Blue prior to the 2017 season.
Butler said he signed a one-year deal, plus a team option, with Toronto last February. But he added it was with the understanding following the ’17 season he’d be allowed to pursue NFL opportunities.
If unsuccessful, then Butler, a seven-year NFL veteran, would return to the Grey Cup-champion Argos.