Johany Jutras/CFL.ca
TORONTO — In a quarterback-driven league, there’s always extra attention on the pivots when free agency comes around.
An early look at this year’s free agent class reveals 10 quarterbacks who could still hit the market, with the likes of Ricky Ray and Travis Lulay among veteran hands available.
The two that stand out most, however, are the unproven quarterbacks. James Franklin and Brandon Bridge have generated much of the discussion throughout December because come mid-February, both could have new teams.
Where Franklin and Bridge end up could be franchise-altering.
Let’s take a closer look at two of the more intriguing names on the pending free agent list:
James Franklin
Age: 26
CFL Seasons: 3
Rights: Toronto Argonauts
2017 Team: Edmonton Eskimos
2017 Stats: 13-of-19 (68.4%), 142 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT
Career Game: 18-of-23, 335 yards, 4 TD, 0 INT vs. TOR (Nov. 5, 2016)
James Franklin’s rights were traded from Edmonton to Toronto earlier this week (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)
With Brock Sunderland running out of options on his pending free agent quarterback, the first-year GM traded Franklin’s rights to the Argos along with a third-round pick to acquire promising mammoth offensive lineman Mason Woods.
That’s pretty good value for an expiring contract, and for the Argos it’s the going rate for arguably the top young quarterback prospect in the game — even with the risk that he doesn’t sign. Argos GM Jim Popp decided the risk was worth it and the potential upside was too big to ignore.
What does Franklin bring to the table? Despite his lack of experience in CFL games (176 career attempts to his name), the Missouri alum has made a strong impression virtually every time he’s stepped on a CFL field. He’s got a big arm but, much like Ricky Ray, can throw a soft ball when needed, delivering with touch and accuracy.
Since entering the league, Franklin has worked on shortening his release, while one thing that stands out is his snap decision-making, making him a strong fit for a Marc Trestman-coached offence that operates similar to Jason Maas’ in Edmonton. Franklin isn’t fast by any means, yet he can still make things happen with his legs as a physical downhill runner.
The 26-year-old has made three starts, winning twice against the Argos and getting pulled in a Labour Day loss to the Stamps for an on-the-mend Mike Reilly in 2015.
Before injuries helped derailed his NFL aspirations in college, Franklin was projected as a mid-round pick in the NFL Draft. He’s got all the natural ability that scouts covet in addition to the things that can’t be measured.
Whether the Argos end up with Franklin could depend on the decision made by Ray, who’s mulling retirement. For now, Franklin is set to become free on Feb. 13.
Brandon Bridge
Age: 25
CFL Seasons: 3
Rights: Saskatchewan Roughriders
2017 Team: Saskatchewan Roughriders
2017 Stats: 92-of-138 (66.7%), 1,236 yards, 10 TD, 4 INT
Career Game: 20-of-28, 292 yards, 2 TD, 0 INT vs. TOR (Oct. 7, 2017)
If he reaches free agency, Brandon Bridge could have plenty of interested suitors come February (Jason Halstead/CFL.ca)
Brandon Bridge has a nation of CFL fans in his corner, all crossing their fingers that he’s the next great Canadian quarterback.
Yet in his three seasons in the league, the Riders’ pivot has proven he’s not simply a gimmick as a Canadian quarterback. No, Bridge has emerged as a legitimate quarterback prospect in the CFL, probably ranking in the top 10 quarterbacks league-wide.
Bridge was considered by some a long-term developmental project coming out of school, but his upside and athleticism caught the attention of pro scouts on both sides of the border. While the Als drafted him in the fourth round, Bridge also caught looks south of the border coming out of school.
No. 16 has a big arm and isn’t afraid to use it, just this year making highlight-reel throws that most quarterbacks could only dream of. His running ability, meanwhile, was probably what helped him get on the field in 2017, giving Chris Jones a change-of-pace from usual starting quarterback Kevin Glenn.
That, in the end, is the most telling part of Bridge’s prospects as a pro passer: the faith that Jones showed in the young quarterback. Bridge ran the Riders’ full offence for extended periods of time and in critical situations, including the Eastern Final vs. Toronto. Would Jones waste precious developmental time if he didn’t see a bright future?
The verdict is still out on Bridge, yes, and there are more steps to be taken for one of the league’s most exciting prospects.
What we know is that he should get the chance to become a starting quarterback in the CFL. The question is where.
