Andy Fantuz’s reported NFL workout, and his offseason dilemma

The most intriguing CFL free agent this year may well be Canadian wide receiver Andy Fantuz, and his negotiations (or lack thereof) with Saskatchewan on a contract extension have already provoked plenty of controversy. That saga may have taken another turn this week, as Tyler Bieber of CFL.ca and CFL Daily wrote on Twitter late Wednesday night that Fantuz is amongst the CFL players who have worked out with the NFL's Jacksonville Jaguars this offseason. Regardless of if Fantuz's reported tryout with the Jaguars goes anywhere or not, he's going to have some difficult decisions to make this offseason. There are three potential options for him, but each has significant drawbacks as well as benefits. Let's break them down.

Option #1: Fantuz stays in Saskatchewan: This is obviously the option most Roughriders' fans would prefer, as Fantuz can be a transcendent talent when he's at the top of his game. He led all CFL receivers with 1,380 yards in 2010 (some picked up on the pass shown above, which he caught against Calgary's Milt Collins that September) and was a key part of Saskatchewan's run to the Grey Cup. Moreover, he's built substantial connections with both Roughriders' fans and the community as a whole since arriving in Regina in 2006. Fantuz has also done a lot of impressive charity work locally, including the Fantuz Flakes' cereal that raised $10,000 for the Children's Hospital Foundation of Saskatchewan (before inspiring parodies). If he stays in town, he'll have further chances to build his personal profile and brand, and he'll make a lot of green-clad fans very happy. However, staying would cause him to miss out on some of the benefits associated with the other options here.

Option #2: Fantuz goes elsewhere in the CFL: This could be the most significant option from a league-wide perspective, as Fantuz hitting the free agency market could spark perhaps an unprecedented bidding war. Fantuz has the key advantage of being a top talent overall and a Canadian at an import-heavy position, and he also brings huge name recognition and significant credibility as a receiving-corps upgrade. Moreover, there are several markets where he'd be an extremely desirable acquisition, and the one that leaps to the top of the mind is Toronto. The Argonauts have put together an offensive-minded coaching staff with proven success in Montreal, and their trade for Ricky Ray suggests they're firmly committed to winning quickly. They have a glaring lack of proven depth in the receiving corps, though, and they'd love to snag a marketable Canadian star like Fantuz for the leadup to the 100th Grey Cup this November; Fantuz is also from Chatham, Ontario, so this would put him closer to home.

Regardless of if it's Toronto or another non-Saskatchewan team Fantuz winds up with, this option likely holds the largest immediate financial reward for Fantuz. It's possible the Riders will make him the highest offer, but much of the time, teams that want to lure free agents will wind up offering more than their existing franchise. However, this option may also bring the most negative publicity, as plenty of Saskatchewan fans will inevitably deride Fantuz for "selling out" if he chooses another CFL team.

Option #3: Fantuz tries the NFL again: This might be the most potentially lucrative move in the long term, and it gives Fantuz a chance to chase his dream, but it also carries far more risk than remaining in the CFL. Fantuz didn't get far south of the border last year after signing with the Chicago Bears, getting waived before the regular season started and then opting to return to the Riders early instead of waiting out his full stint on the waiver wire. There's no guarantee he'd do any better this time, and the later season of the NFL means that even an early cut like the one he received last year would limit him to half a CFL season (and a difficult adaptation).

However, there were some extenuating circumstances last season. The NFL lockout meant Fantuz got next to no off-season instruction from coaches or workout time with teammates, which put him at a major disadvantage considering his lack of four-down football experience (his college and professional career before his stint with the Bears was all in Canada with the University of Western Ontario Mustangs and then the CFL's Roughriders). Fantuz wound up in a tough spot, too; his chief competition in the Bears' camp was Dane Sanzenbacher, an undrafted free agent from Ohio State who's turned into a gem in the rough for the team. With another franchise that has less established receivers and promising draft picks, Fantuz might be able to do better.

This option would also be a little easier for Fantuz to sell from a PR standpoint than leaving for another CFL team; he's following his dream, not chasing the money. It presents a huge risk for him on the field, though, as it's not particularly easy to crack the NFL. Still, sustained, multi-year NFL success would be the most financially rewarding for him over the long term. We'll see which option he decides to pursue this offseason.