Argos James Wilder Jr issues statement that he won't be playing in 2018

[Antwon]

Popp and Barker have come out stating no one gave a handshake deal to release him after one year.
I think Wilder's only plans are for the NFL. So no chance he'll sign for an extra year.
The Argos throw the offer out publicly so everyone knows they tried. Wilder declines, and they can move forward with other options for camp. Time to move on.

[Scooter McCray]

Has Wilder commented or said anything in social media regarding the latest development of a contract extension offer? $150,000 plus bonuses plus playoff money adds up to real money for 6 months work.

I hope he does come back because we need a big play ability RB to keep the defence off of Ricky Ray. I look at the years of success here for Ricky being 2012/2013 and 2017 when we had Kackert and Wilder. I liked Whittaker, but he just wasn't going to run away from anyone and takeover a game like Kackert and Wilder could and defences did not have to respect our lack of run game.

The preference should be to not take a risk like that, hence the offer extension to Wilder. We will see if really believes in the Love Boat or not.

[AngeloV]

Yes I think you are correct. A NFL team got to see James on ST's and probably said whoa, he could help us there. Maybe come in on 3rd down some as well. $480,000 US for several years is quite a jump from $57,000 Ca

That's why I don't blame him one bit for wanting out of his contract.

[R.J]

http://chumam.streamon.fm/listen-pl-6346?smc=11

[ArgoGabe22]

Someone needs to tell him to put his phone down. Does he not have an agent? Is he the next Jasper Simmons?

[Will]

He isn't coming back, guys.

Time to move on.

[ArgoZ]

Someone needs to tell him to put his phone down. Does he not have an agent? Is he the next Jasper Simmons?

More importantly, what does Mitch Michael think of the latest update. LOL.

[macspectrum]

http://chumam.streamon.fm/listen-pl-6346?smc=11

if wilder sits 2018 will his $57 k count against the argos salary cap ?

[Jon Gonzo]

if wilder sits 2018 will his $57 k count against the argos salary cap ?

My guess is that he would get suspended, and no

[jerrym]

Here's what the Argos are offering Wilder according to Justin Dunk.

Wilder’s new contract offer from the Argos is around $100,000 but it does not include a signing bonus. By comparison, Harris is due $60,000 in off-season money, Sutton received a $36,000 signing bonus while a number of the others have a roster payment or got upfront money when they signed their new deals including Gable ($30,000) Messam ($20,000) Jeremiah Johnson ($18,000) and William Powell ($15,000.) That signing bonus is beneficial for American players because it is taxed at a lower rate, which is why Gable took a larger payment upon signing than hard money elsewhere. ...

Most players coming into their second CFL contracts with production like Wilder Jr. – especially ones coming off an award-winning season – would expect both a pay raise and a signing bonus. Wilder is due to make just over $60,000, plus possible playtime incentives, on the second and final year of his entry-level deal. Toronto’s offer adds another year, putting Wilder Jr. under contract with Toronto through the 2019 season. Meaning Wilder Jr. would be 28 by the time he’d be free to try the NFL again.The offer from Toronto would put him mid-pack among starting backs in the CFL after Harris, Sutton and Messam. Stefan Logan ($145,000) and Chris Rainey ($132,000) are listed as running backs but it’s their return skills that they’re primarily compensated for.

The Argos have offered Wilder Jr. a deal that would put him among the highest paid Americanrunning backs in the CFL but it’s nowhere near Andrew Harris money. If agreed upon the contract would provide him with more salary but it doesn’t include a signing bonus and requires him to forego a shot at the NFL for another year.
It’s worth mentioning that the Argos don’t have to offer an extension at all and could sit back and see if Wilder Jr. does indeed sit out the 2018 season as he’s stated. From that sense, it does seem like a good-faith move by the Argos. Either way, the team probably wants a final decision in the near future to know how to proceed at the running back position.

The other well-paid running backs were pending free agents or hit the open market when they signed their deals – something Wilder Jr. is not. However, any player signing an extension going into the last year of their deal would get upfront money, even backend roster players: that’s part of the incentive to ink a longer pact.

http://3downnation.com/2018/03/01/wh...mes-wilder-jr/

[ArgoGabe22]

So roughly 4th highest paid RB, 2nd highest international RB. So what is he arguing with Naylor true because this lines up with Naylor's story. I wonder why the Argos don't want to offer anything upfront. I can take a guess. #MoPrice

[jerrym]

My hunch is he won't be back because staying for an extra season would not only cost him a potential year of NFL money but reduce his chances of getting a job as he will be 28. There is also the risk that a major injury would terminate any opportunity of getting to the NFL if he stayed in Canada.

[ArgoRavi]

My hunch is he won't be back because staying for an extra season would not only cost him a potential year of NFL money but reduce his chances of getting a job as he will be 28. There is also the risk that a major injury would terminate any opportunity of getting to the NFL if he stayed in Canada.

Well, the newsflash for Wilder is that he is unlikely to get to the NFL in 2019 if he doesn't play in the CFL in 2018. It isn't like there were a boatload of NFL teams lined up to sign him prior to the 2017 season either.

[ArgoRavi]

More importantly, what does Mitch Michael think of the latest update. LOL.

Is Mitch Michael Wilder's agent or is he connected in some other way?

[ArgoZ]

Is Mitch Michael Wilder's agent or is he connected in some other way?

He is Butler's brother in-law. He is quite vocal on Twitter, albeit singlemindedly, in his constant defence or viewpoint of Butler and now Butler's friend Wilder. I was remarking tongue-in-cheek, as it seems like he has become an internet policeman when it comes to all things Butler/Wilder. Throw a tweet out there hashtaging the duo, and like fishing, you'll likely get a bite, I mean reply!

Butler has been completely quiet himself since his penned letter, unless he proof reads Mitchell's tweets. Wilder engages media, such as Naylor over his contract! So weird to see.

[Shatto]

The Argos have played this smart. If Wilder's primary complaint was having to play for minimum salary, that has been addressed with a generous contract offer, especially based on his performance in only half a season. If his real agenda is trying to get a release from his contractual obligation, then he is being disingenuous. He knew he signed a 2 year contract and was a desperate individual, as NFL options had dried up for him at that time.

He now has 2 choices. Play for 2 more seasons or sit out a year and hope NFL interest is still there, in a year's time. IMO, there is a better chance of an NFL offer, if he plays superlative football over the next two years, than if he sits out for a year. But that has to be his choice. The ball is now in his court.

[gilthethrill]

Is Mitch Michael Wilder's agent or is he connected in some other way?

Big time man crush. Guy is a tool.

[Will]

In all seriousness, do Butler and Wilder have the same agent?

[gilthethrill]

In all seriousness, do Butler and Wilder have the same agent?

Excellent question. Their agent (s) names have not been mentioned once during all this, have they?

[mchesher03]

From my understanding, the team has offered him an extension at double his salary. Essentially, his bluff has been called again from my perspective.He wanted out of his contract to go try this NFL opportunity, complained about the money as the root cause and since this extension really exposes that, he’s somewhat stuck (again).

That being said I’m 100% ok with him doing whatever he feels best here, however I don’t think the Argos have played it incorrectly either. Do I think his value goes down if he sits out? 100% - however it’s his call to make if he thinks that’s the right answer.

Anyhow, interesting to see how this one plays out. Whereas for a clown like Victor Butler, good riddance.