  Chad Owens of the Toronto Argonauts poses backstage at the Winspear Centre after winning the CFL Most Outstanding Teams Player Award during the CFL Awards in Edmonton on Thursday, November 25, 2010. (Codie McLachlan/QMI AGENCY) |
Chad Owens will try out for several NFL teams.
But the Argonauts’ most exciting player in 2010 wants to be back in Double Blue next season.
“Chad is happier than he has ever been and he has not had this much stability since college,” Owens’ agent, Bruno Burnoski, said on Thursday. “It would have to take the right offer to get him out of Toronto.”
And by that, Burnoski means a six-figure signing bonus. Given the uncertainty surrounding the NFL and the possibility of a work stoppage next year, it’s doubtful Owens would get such an offer.
The fact that Owens will be 29 in March wouldn’t help either. Owens has been through the NFL a couple of times previously, including stints with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Jacksonville Jaguars.
The window for him to get a contract in the NFL closes on Feb. 16.
“He would have to get some money up front,” Burnoski said. “He would not make the move unless it is absolutely right.”
Owens has some tryouts lined up “in the next few weeks,” Burnoski said. Currently, Owens is at home in Hawaii, spending time with his family.
Though Argos head coach/general manager Jim Barker realizes the NFL is an option for Owens, he expects the dynamic returner to be back in Toronto in 2011.
Acquired from the Montreal Alouettes last June, Owens had a terrific season, winning the CFL’s most outstanding special teams player award after he racked up a league-best 2,701 combined return yards. Marcus Thigpen of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats was second with 1,722 combined return yards.
terry.koshan@sunmedia.ca
