If Redblacks don’t get Arbuckle deal before Sunday, he’s likely gone

So why Sunday’s deadline? As part of Arbuckle’s contract, he’s due a $150,000 roster bonus Feb. 1, which happens to be Monday. There is no way the Redblacks are paying that.

Unlike most other professional leagues, contracts in the CFL are not guaranteed, so the Redblacks could release Arbuckle and not owe him a penny more.

The good news: It seems there are still on-going talks between Arbuckle’s agent, Rob Fry, and Redblacks general manager Marcel Desjardins, so a deal could still happen this weekend. Maybe the dollar differences can be worked out. It’s believed the Redblacks’ opening offer was between $310,000 and $320,000 for this season, and it stands to reason they’ve come up from there. You’d have to think there’s a compromise. Would $340,000-$350,000, with a signing bonus included, get the deal done? Maybe. Maybe the Redblacks like their chances of signing Arbuckle even if they have to release him first. Or maybe they’re already looking elsewhere.

The bad news: It seems the Redblacks have dug in their heels. If you’re looking to save $600,000, it won’t come from nickel-and-diming veterans making $90,000. Yes, even if he becomes a free agent, Arbuckle could still return. But it also wouldn’t be surprising if the Argos pounced quickly.

A safe assumption would be the Redblacks have a Plan B; maybe they think the alternative at a lesser salary isn’t so bad after all. A look around the CFL suggests two teams — Toronto and Ottawa — need starting quarterbacks. B.C. (Mike Reilly), Edmonton (Trevor Harris), Calgary (Bo Levi Mitchell), Saskatchewan (Cody Fajardo), Winnipeg (Zach Collaros), Hamilton (Jeremiah Masoli/Dane Evans) and Montreal (Vernon Adams) are set.