Zach Collaros and Saskatchewan have struck a new deal.
The Riders newest quarterback was scheduled to make $540,000 in 2018, $200,000 of which was due as an off-season bonus February 1. The Riders and 29-year-old pivot agreed to a restructured deal worth $430,000 in hard money including $225,000 up front. There are no playtime incentives in the contract.
A provision in the Canada-U.S. income tax treaty allows international players who maintain a permanent residence south of the border to be taxed just 15 per cent on any signing bonus – much less than their usual Canadian tax rate. That means after some astute accounting work, Collaros could come out with more money in his pocket.
Collaros has lost 12 straight starts dating back to 2016, one short of the CFL record. He completed 62.7 per cent of his passes for 1,743 yards with eight touchdowns (lowest among the league’s starters at the time) and seven interceptions in 2017, but the Ticats did give up 21 sacks and 77 pressures.
In 59 career CFL games with the Argos (2012-13) and Ticats (2014-17), Collaros has accumulated 1,127 pass completions on 1,694 attempts (66.5%) for 13,759 yards, 83 touchdowns and 38 interceptions.
Personnel men around the league believe he needed a fresh start and the Riders provide just that.
