Staying Put: Ellingson, REDBLACKS agree to extension
OTTAWA — Just when it looked as though the Ottawa REDBLACKS were going to head into free agency with three of their 1,000-yard receivers set to hit the market, the club has come to terms on a two-year contract extension with Greg Ellingson.
Ellingson was ranked no. 2 on CFL.ca’s Top 10 Pending Free Agents list last month.
“Greg is an integral part of our offence and we’re very pleased to have a player of his caliber, experience and character in the REDBLACKS organization for another two years,” said REDBLACKS general manager Marcel Desjardins. “Trevor and Greg have a good relationship and this continuity will only benefit our offence.”
Ellingson hauled in 1260 yards and four touchdowns in 2016 – one of four receivers in Ottawa to jump over the 1000-yard mark on the season – as he helped the REDBLACKS win the 104th Grey Cup presented by Shaw and set personal bests in receptions (76) and yards.
“I think deep down in my heart I knew I was going to back there (Ottawa),” said Ellingson. “Even with the long wait up until free agency, I kind of had that feeling that Ottawa was the place for me.”
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Ellingson was one of the most sought after free agents in 2017 but after two seasons, two Grey Cup appearances and the friendships he’s made along the way, his heart told him to stay as a REDBLACK.
“If it came down to another team in free agency and they were going to do just a little more than in Ottawa I would have went back to Ottawa anyways,” he said. “I feel like I have an attachment to being there the past two years and being to the Grey Cup twice and winning one and just the support from the city.”
The 28-year-old signed as a free agent with the REDBLACKS in 2015 and set career highs in receptions (69), yards (1061) and touchdowns (nine). The biggest moment of his 2015 campaign came in the Eastern Final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats when he scored a 93-yard major, sending the REDBLACKS to the 103rd Grey Cup presented by Shaw.
Before donning the red and black, Ellingson signed with the Tiger-Cats in 2013 and stayed there for two seasons. In his first season in the Black and Gold, he had 800 yards and six touchdowns before missing most of the 2014 season with an injury. In the nine games he played in, the Tampa, FL. native racked up 32 catches for 429 yards.
