Darrell Davis: Riders trying to keep Jones awhile

Chris Jones was entering the fateful, final year of his contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

No CFL team wants its boss on a one-year deal. The reason is simple: A coach or a general manager with a one-year contract likely won’t be concerned about the team’s long-term future. He’ll be too worried about that one, all-important year and could make damaging, short-sighted moves for the franchise.

So the Roughriders wanted to extend Jones’ contract as their head coach, general manager and vice-president of football operations. Jones has done a good job, but he needed a new contract because he has to take a pay cut to abide by the CFL’s new administrative cap. And there are reports Jones may be drawing interest from NCAA and NFL teams.

There are reportedly out-clauses in Jones’ new contract. Of course, he should demand the ability to leave for a better job, such as a head coach with a top college or an NFL team. For anything less than that, the Roughriders should have him locked down for two more years.