JEFFERSON RETURNING TO RIDERS

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed international defensive lineman Willie Jefferson to a contract extension.         

Jefferson (6’6 – 245) will remain with the Riders after joining the team in September, 2016. The 27-year-old, four-year veteran originally entered the CFL with the Edmonton Eskimos in 2014. He played two seasons with the Eskimos before spending part of the 2016 season with the NFL’s Washington Redskins.

Last season, Jefferson started all 18 regular-season games while registering career highs with 45 defensive tackles and eight quarterback sacks and a league-leading 37 quarterback pressures. He also added a blocked punt that he recovered and returned 22 yards for a touchdown. At season’s end, he was named a CFL All-Star and West Division All-Star. 

“Willie is an important part of our team culture and has developed into a leader on and off the field,” stated Chris Jones, Riders Vice-President of Football Operations, General Manager and Head Coach. “He is a versatile player with a rare combination of size and speed. At 27 years old he has lots of good football ahead of him.”   

Jefferson was eligible to become a free agent on February 13.