The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have agreed to term with international defensive end John Chick, according to multiple sources.
The 33-year-old was an all-star in 2014, amassing 11 sacks and has 53 quarterback takedowns over his six years in the CFL. The 6-foot-4, 250 pound Wyoming native has also spent time with the Houston Texans, Indianapolis Colts and Jacksonville Jaguars of the NFL.
Chick was released by the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Jan. 14 in a cost-cutting move after the team tried re-negotiate his reported $260,000 a year contract. Terms of Chick’s deal with the Ticats were not immediately available.
Chick has a close relationship with Ticats general manager and head coach Kent Austin as well as director of U.S. scouting Eric Tillman. Both were with the Riders in 2007 when Chick came into the league and won the first of his two Grey Cup championships.
Chick fills a definite need at defensive end for the Ticats. With Justin Hickman set to hit free agency on Feb. 9 and Eric Norwood facing a long rehab from the knee injury he suffered in the East semi-final, the team was without a proven pass rusher.
But the team still has a number of key players – including high profile Canadians Ted Laurent, Andy Fantuz and Courtney Stephen – slated to hit the open market and the numbers surrounding Chick’s deal will be key.
