James Franklin. (File photo by Johany Jutras/CFL.ca)

By Britton Gray/CJME News Staff

‘I’m coming in as the backup’: Franklin joins Roughriders

Feb 12, 2020 | 12:12 PM

James Franklin is ready to be the backup quarterback in Saskatchewan.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders announced they signed the 28-year-old pivot to a one-year contract on Tuesday — the first day of CFL free agency.

“I know that not everyone is excited but I know that I’m coming in as the backup to help out. If I get an opportunity I’ll try to make the most of it but I am really excited to be a part of Rider Nation now,” Franklin told the Green Zone.

“Just seeing a lot of people commenting and supporting, it has been really nice. I just needed to learn the hard way that I needed to end up in Riderville.”

The Roughriders reportedly had interest in getting Franklin when then-Roughriders head coach Chris Jones joined the team in 2016 after winning a Grey Cup with the Edmonton Eskimos.

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Franklin, who was one of Edmonton’s pending free agents at the time, was traded from Edmonton to the Toronto Argonauts. He subsequently signed an extension with the Argos.

“At the time, I went with the decision that I thought was best. It helped me overcome a bit of adversity and learn how to (do that),” Franklin said.

He noted he did consider coming to Saskatchewan that off-season.

“I had it in the back of my mind that (Saskatchewan) is the closest to southern football as far as the fan base and atmosphere and it’s something that I’d really enjoy and so I’m really glad now I got smart about my decision,” Franklin said.

During his five-year CFL career, Franklin has completed 378 of 573 passes for 4,305 yards, with 23 touchdowns and 16 interceptions.

Franklin said he’s excited about the opportunity to come to Saskatchewan and help get his football career back on track by returning to the role he had most of his success in – as the backup quarterback.

“Obviously (Cody Fajardo) did a really good job last year with the team and took advantage of the opportunity,” Franklin said. “He sent me a really long text just welcoming me and he seems like a really good leader and I’m excited to help him out any way I can.

“Hopefully there will be some games where we are up by a lot and I can go in and get a little experience.”

Franklin said he learned first-hand what can happen when the quarterback room and the coaching staff aren’t on the same page.

“I learned over the last two years what happens if (the coaches and quarterbacks) don’t line up and so it was very tough and (there were) a lot of frustrating things,” Franklin said of his time in Toronto.

“I know coming into this I’m for sure the backup. It’s not like I’m competing and trying to get the starting spot. If you look at what (Fajardo) did last year and what I did last year, it sort of speaks for itself.

“I also learned in Toronto how toxic it can be when you don’t have that kind of respect in the quarterback room. When a guy’s the guy, you have to be able to respect him.”

The signing will also once again team Franklin up with Jason Maas. Now the Roughriders’ offensive co-ordinator, Maas was Franklin’s head coach in 2016 and 2017 with the Eskimos.