The Edmonton Elks have agreed to terms on a two-year contract through the 2024 season with all-star receiver Steven Dunbar Jr., per sources.
The 27-year-old was named an East Division all-star as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2022 and could yet find a new level to his game. His deal is worth $200,000 for the 2023 season with a slight increase for 2024.
CFL free agency does not officially open until Tuesday, Feb. 14 but Dunbar Jr. was able to negotiate with teams across Canada using the “legal tampering” window, which opened on Sunday, Feb. 5.
The six-foot-three, 202-pound target caught 72 passes for 1,000 yards and six touchdowns this past season with the Ticats. He built off a solid rookie season in 2021 during which he made 44 catches for 630 yards and four touchdowns over 12 games.
Dunbar Jr. signed as an undrafted NFL free agent with the San Francisco 49ers in 2018 and spent time on the team’s practice roster before appearing in one game. He attended training camp with the Denver Broncos in 2019.
Prior to turning pro, the native of Metairie, La. played in 51 games over four seasons (2014-2017) at the University of Houston, registering 180 receptions for 2,430 yards and 11 touchdowns. He was named an All-American Athletic Conference Honourable Mention as a senior.
Elks’ general manager and head coach Chris Jones likes Dunbar Jr.’s physicality to go along with his length and overall abilities as a pass catcher.
