James Franklin

ANALYSIS
Franklin is just 29 years old so his sudden retirement isn't likely as a result of his age. The CFL did recently delivered a proposal to the CFLPA in late March targeting an on-time start to the 2021 season but also requesting players to take a 20 percent pay cut if fans can't return to the stands. The players aren't making nearly enough money to be willing to accept a pay cut like that which is likely the reason why Franklin decided to retire. He had a pretty solid career in which he won the Grey Cup in 2015 while with Edmonton and combined to throw for 4,285 yards and 23 touchdowns to go against 16 interceptions on 303 passes during his time with Edmonton and Toronto. He was pretty mobile too, as ran for 593 yards and 17 touchdowns while leading the league with 14 rushing majors in 2018. He ended up signing with the Roughriders in 2020 but never played a snap for them after the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.