Free agency in the Canadian Football League began at 10 a.m. (MST) Tuesday morning.
The Edmonton Eskimos began the day with 18 pending free agents — some will not be offered contracts — and negotiations will continue with others up to and past the deadline.
The latest Eskimos signings
Adam Konar
Canadian linebacker Adam Konar has re-signed with the Eskimos.
Thrust into the starters role in 2017 because of a season ending injury to WIL linebacker Cory Greenwood in training camp, the hard-hitting 24-year-old took full advantage of the opportunity by putting up solid numbers – 59 tackles, one quarterback sack and two interceptions in 12 games.
Konar, a 2105 Eskimos draft pick, is from Vancouver – and his father played for the Lions – so the conventional thinking was he would go home via free agency, instead he signed a two-year deal to stay with the Eskimos.
Alex Bazzie
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The Eskimos have found a possible replacement for departed defensive end Odell Willis. They have signed defensive end Alex Bazzie from the B.C. Lions to a two-year contract.
The 27-year-old four-year CFL vet has played in 56 CFL games and recorded 32 quarterback sacks. He spent the first half of last season in the NFL with three different organizations, but returned to the Lions to play six games recording three sacks and 12 tackles.
LISTEN: Alex Bazzie talks with Morley Scott
The Eskimos have also lost a starter from last year with offensive tackle Joel Figueroa signing with the B.C. Lions. That will put the Eskimos in the market for an American offensive lineman.
The Eskimos have also lost two players from their defence. Defensive tackle Euclid Cummings and defensive back Garry Peters who also both signed with the Lions
Free agency preparations
On Friday, Eskimos general manager Brock Sunderland said he had agreed to new deals with pending free agents that would be announced later.
Later was Tuesday morning before free agency hit as the team announced the signings of two defensive backs. Cornerback Johnny Adams and halfback Forrest Hightower.
Both DBs are returning for their second year in Green and Gold. Adams will be a four year CFL vet, he played 15 games for the Eskimos in 2017 and the 28 year old had 65 tackles and two interceptions. Hightower, 25, will also be entering his fourth CFL season. He recorded 21 tackles and one interceptions last year with the Eskimos.
UPDATE: Day 2 signings can be found here.
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