By Canadian Press

Source: Hamilton Tiger-Cats agree to terms with veteran linebacker Thurman

Feb 8, 2023 | 9:34 AM

Jameer Thurman is on the move.

A CFL source said Wednesday the veteran linebacker has agreed to terms on a contract with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. The six-foot, 227-pound Thurman spent the last four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders.

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity as deals reached during the window won’t be formally announced until the start of free agency next Tuesday.

Thurman, a 28-year-old American, was slated to become a free agent Tuesday but pending free agents have been able to speak with teams since Sunday as per the league’s negotiating window. Thurman had 73 tackles, one special-teams tackle, three interceptions and two forced fumbles last season with the Stampeders.

Over four seasons and 64 career regular-season games with Calgary, Thurman registered 269 defensive tackles, 31 special-teams tackles, six sacks and eight forced fumbles. He won a Grey Cup with the Stampeders in 2018.

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The Ticats’ move comes a day after veteran Jovan Santos-Knox agreed to a two-year deal with the Ottawa Redblacks. The six-foot-two, 233-pound Santos-Knox had a career-best 105 tackles last season with Hamilton.

Financial details of Thurman’s deal weren’t immediately known but a second CFL source said he’d turned down an offer of $140,000 to remain with the Ticats.

With the window opening last Sunday, players have until noon ET this Sunday to entertain offers from other clubs. Those proposals — including base salary and incentives — must be registered with the league and CFL Players’ Association. Any submissions that are made will be considered binding.

When the window closes, teams have 48 hours to negotiate exclusively with their own potential free agents. The CFL will provide clubs with registered offers that have been made to those players.

Teams will then have until 10 a.m. ET on Feb. 14 to make an offer to their own players, of which a copy must given to both the league and CFLPA.

Following the 48-hour period, the player will have two hours (10 a.m.-noon ET) on Feb. 14 to select any offer made to him. If he accepts one, the chosen team must then inform the CFL.

Should the player turn down all offers, he’ll enter free agency at 12:01 p.m. ET on Feb. 14. Any prior offers will be no longer available.

The free-agency window was introduced in 2020 to curb tampering and also allow pending free agents to explore all of their options and gauge their value before the start of the free-agent period.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 8, 2023.

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press