The feeling of change is starting to become real for the Saskatchewan Roughriders with three weeks until free agency begins in the Canadian Football League (CFL).
On Monday’s edition of the SportsCage, head coach Craig Dickenson said the team is looking to make some changes to the roster after a disappointing 6-12 campaign in 2022.
Receiver Shaq Evans was a guest on Tuesday’s edition of the SportsCage with Michael Ball.
With his contract with the Riders set to expire, the 32-year-old believes he will be wearing a different uniform in 2023.
“In my opinion I don’t think I’ll be back in Sask.”
Evans said his agent has told him that he doesn’t expect to receive an offer from the team.
It’s disappointing for the receiver that he never had an offer extended to him by the Riders.
“I know I have a lot left in the tank. I know I am not a normal 32-year-old guy.”
The four-year veteran was not sure if Saskatchewan has contacted the other veteran receivers who are set to become free agents.
“I feel like they’re trying to figure out their direction on offence. ”
If he does leave in free agency, it will be the first time Evans has switched jerseys in the CFL after spending his four years in Saskatchewan. He says that he has enjoyed his time in Rider Nation.
“I love playing in Sask.”
2019 marked the best season for Evans during his time in Saskatchewan. Over 18 games, he had 72 receptions for 1,334 receiving yards and five touchdowns.
But his last two seasons have been plagued with a pair of serious ankle injuries.
In 2021, he saw action in seven games and ended up with 25 receptions for 224 yards and no touchdowns.
This past season he was limited to ten games with 32 receptions, 487 receiving yards and a pair of touchdowns.
At the beginning of this season, Evans felt that he was rounding back to his peak form after solid first two games of the year.
“Everybody on the team was telling me that they felt like this was 2019 Shaq all over again.”
2022 was a year the Roughriders would like to forget. When looking back at the turning point of their season, Evans believes it was their loss to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers at the Labour Day Classic. He thinks a victory in that contest against the eventual Western champions could have turned their season around.
“I really felt like we were getting back on track. I felt like if we would have won that game than things would have been different. Certain wins do certain things for your confidence.”
Along with Evans, among the veteran Roughrider receivers who are about to become free agents on February 14 include “Duke” Williams and Kyran “Swerve” Moore.
