Riders head coach/GM Jones downplays Durant’s comments about contract talks
REGINA — Chris Jones wasn’t taking the bait.
Following Saskatchewan’s season-ending 41-18 loss to the B.C. Lions on Sunday, veteran quarterback Darian Durant told reporters his contract talks with the Roughriders were “pretty much at a standstill.” Durant, 34, the club’s starter since ’09, is scheduled to become a free agent in February and admitted adopting the mindset that negotiations will last until February.
On Monday, Jones, the Riders’ head coach/GM, reiterated Durant remains the club’s starter. Saskatchewan (5-13) finished last in the West Division standings in Jones’ first season with the franchise.
“Darian’s been with this organization a long time,” Jones said. “He’s won a Grey Cup and so he’s the guy we feel like is our starting quarterback.