It appears the CFL may be rethinking their policy on offering option years on player contracts.
According to the Vancouver Province, members of the CFL's competition committee have had discussions on allowing teams to sign players to option years and opening a window for them to test the waters in the NFL, if they so desired.
Under the current Collective Bargaining Agreement, the minimum contract is two years in length with no window to seek employment south of the border. Some feel this represents too much of a commitment for American players who want to come north and develop their skills before taking another shot at the NFL. The previous CBA allowed for option years.
"All players want a chance to go back," Lions general manager Wally Buono told the Province. "Players would choose the UFL (United Football League) over the CFL, not because of the quality of the league, but because if they go (to the UFL) there's no limitations."
Some player agents have suggested allowing players in their final year to shop their wares in the NFL before their contracts expire on February 15.
"Not allowing players to work out for NFL teams will make the free agent market less predictable and inevitably encourage player movement," agent Dan Vert-lieb told the Province. "Essentially, reverting the (option-year) rule back to its previous form would decrease player movement, give CFL clubs greater cost certainty and encourage roster continuity."
