Argonauts, James Wilder Jr. deadlocked on contract situation

Kaylee Pofahl

Argonauts, James Wilder Jr. deadlocked on contract situation image

The CFL was never a permanent landing spot for James Wilder Jr.'s football career. Not in Wilder Jr.'s plans.

After spending two years on an NFL practice squad with the Cincinnati Bengals and a training camp with the Buffalo Bills, Wilder Jr. signed with the Toronto Argonauts in March 2017. The running back went on to have a breakout season in 2017, combining for 1,405 receiving and rushing yards, winning Most Outstanding Rookie and helping the Argos win the 2017 Grey Cup.

But now the 25-year-old Wilder Jr. has presented Toronto with an ultimatum. With one year remaining on his two-year contract, Wilder Jr. announced that he will not play next season in the hopes of preventing potential injury and and playing in the NFL "to better provide" for his family. 

The statement, which was released to Three Down Nation Jan. 24, can be read in full below:

"Today I am announcing that I've decided to sit out the 2018 CFL season in order to train and work in the United States in order to better provide for my family.

It's a decision I've prayed on while speaking at length with the people closest to me, including my mentors. I wish it could be different. I don't want to put my football dreams aside but as the father of four, playing for $56,000 Canadian (about $45,000 USD) without any protection from career-ending injury isn't enough to give my family comfort. 

I've received expressions of interest from several NFL teams and I've reached out to the Argonauts on multiple occasions but have been told they won't allow me to pursue those opportunities. They are also unwilling to re-negotiate my contract to reflect the value I believe I bring ot the team. 

I'm extremely grateful for all of the great fans in the CFL that have embraced me, my teammates and coaches for pushing me and holding me up to the highest standard and to the Argos front office for giving me a great opportunity. This isn't the end of my football career just a business decision for my family, a minor setback in advance of a major comeback. 

I hope my decision can be respected and God bless you all."

PGA DAZN schedule graphic

In response to Wilder Jr.'s announcement, the Argonauts released the following statement on Wilder Jr.'s decision:

“As per league rules, all players entering the CFL must sign a minimum two year contract. James Wilder Jr. is currently entering the second year of that entry contract. We have not had any discussions with James about extending or restructuring his current contract. Nor have we had any discussions with his representation. League rules also state that teams, whether in the CFL or NFL, are prohibited from contacting any player currently under contract.

We appreciate all of the contributions James made to the Argonauts last year. We certainly hope he changes his stance and would welcome his return.”

In an interview with Three Down Nation, Wilder Jr. said Toronto could change his mind if they're willing to pay him what he feels he deserves. The father of four said he is currently working a construction job in Dallas 60 hours a week in order to provide for his family during the offseason.

"I’m not going back for $56,000 CDN. ... Now if Toronto wanted to negotiate for me to be in a more comfortable position or if they’re willing to give me a chance to pursue the NFL, I’m willing to do that," Wilder Jr. said. "One percent of all football players make it to the NFL, and to know that you have that opportunity and not being able to take advantage of it …  when I’m working construction, it eats me up every day."

Wilder Jr. said "it has to be livable," though he hasn't publicly said what an acceptable salary figure would be. If the Argos don't budge in his demands and he sits out the 2018 season, the team will likely place him on the suspended list. 

According to the CFL database, "Players placed on the Suspended List do not count against the active roster or reserve list limits. Most commonly being placed on the suspended list is the result of a player not reporting to training camp or leaving the team/not attending practice during the season without team approval."

However this standoff plays out, Wilder Jr. said he hopes to follow in his father's footsteps once he's eligible to become a free agent in 2019. James Wilder is a former NFL running back who ran for over 6,000 yards and 75 touchdowns and made a Pro Bowl appearance in 1984. 

According the Wilder Jr., the NFL interest is there. 

"I’ve been getting phone calls to my agent from NFL teams with interest, wondering if I’m available. ... I’m held back from a better opportunity. I was told that there was going to be no negotiating without adding years to the contract," Wilder Jr. told Three Downs Nation. "I’ve made it known that the CFL is not where I wanted to spend my full career if I had an opportunity back in the NFL, that’s been known since day one. That’s where we are right now, they’re not willing to negotiate with me without adding years and not willing to let me go."

With the preseason beginning in May, the Argos have roughly four months to make a decision on Wilder Jr.'s status.  

"I’m not doing it for revenge, I’m doing it because it’s not enough for my family. It’s not enough. It’s not enough for what I’m risking," Wilder Jr. said. "The Argos aren’t willing to offer me another dollar, they are saying ‘this is what you signed, just put in this year.’

"It doesn’t sit well with me. I’m in a position to make life-changing money in the NFL and it just doesn’t make sense to put my body at risk for what the Argos want to pay me."

 

Kaylee Pofahl