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Report: Stamps' centre Brett Jones is NFL-bound, perhaps to the New York Giants

Andrew Bucholtz

The CFL's already-slim free agent pool just became even slimmer. According to Scott Mitchell of The Calgary Sun, Stampeders' centre Brett Jones is opting to head to the NFL rather than test the CFL free-agency waters. Jones was by far the most intruiging player left on the market ahead of the start of free agency Tuesday, and he could have received numerous huge offers to remain in the CFL. As Mitchell writes, though, it appears as if Jones is heading south of the border instead.

Despite huge money waiting for him north of the border, Brett Jones wants to try his hand at the NFL. According to multiple sources, the Calgary Stampeders offensive lineman is set to sign with an NFL team prior to CFL free agency opening Tuesday morning at 10 a.m. Jones worked out for a number of teams over the past two months, including the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Steelers.

While it’s not quite clear which team the 23-year-old from Weyburn, Sask. has decided on, the Bucs, Giants, Cards, as well as the San Diego Chargers and possibly the Green Bay Packers are still in play.

Jones is subject to the NFL’s undrafted free-agent bonus pool cap of around US$80,000 — the total cash allotment every franchise is granted for bonuses to lure UDFAs each year, which is usually for players fresh out of college, but also applies to players who have never had a look from an NFL team — which will significantly lower the signing bonus he’s able to collect.

It also looks like Jones may have decided on a team, according to TSN's Chris Cuthbert:

While Jones may not receive much of a signing bonus in the NFL, and while he could have been set to make big money by CFL standards, this may still prove the more lucrative option for him. Most estimates of what Jones could have received in the CFL ranged between $200,000 and $300,000 annually, and that's in Canadian dollars, which are worth about $0.80 U.S. at the moment, leading to a salary range of $160,000 to $240,000 in American currency. By contrast, the minimum salary for a NFL player on the active roster in 2015 will be $435,000.

Making that won't be easy, of course. An active roster is only 53 guys, and NFL teams have 90 on their offseason roster, so over a third of NFL signees won't make the active roster. Even making a practice squad (which comes with a minimum salary of $107,000) is challenging; there are only 10 spots available to each team, and some teams don't fill the squad entirely. Adjusting to the American game (and its lack of one-yard neutral zone between the offensive and defensive lines in particular) also may be difficult. Thus, there are stiff odds ahead for Jones.

There are facts in Jones' favour, though. From the CFL's top rookie in 2013 to the league's top lineman in 2014, he's risen in meteoric fashion throughout his first two CFL seasons. He played a critical role in Calgary's line allowing a league-low 26 sacks this season, and he was a vital part of the Stampeders' Grey Cup victory. He's also started 35 regular-season games at centre (and one at guard); that shows off his ability to stay healthy and also provides him with substantial professional experience. Jones clearly has a head for the game, too; centre's often the domain of experienced veterans, given the responsibilities for coordinating the line and snapping the ball, but Jones was named not just the CFL's best centre last year, but its best lineman. He's just 23, too, which may encourage teams to hang on to him even if he doesn't produce immediately. We'll see how this move works out for him. All that's clear for now is that the CFL free agent market has lost its biggest name, though.