After auditioning for half the teams in the NFL over the last several weeks, standout CFL wide receiver Eric Rogers has made his decision. Rogers has agreed to sign with the 49ers, reports Adam Schefter of ESPN.com (via Twitter).
According to Schefter, the Niners are giving Rogers the most lucrative deal for a CFL player since the Dolphins signed Cameron Wake back in 2009. It’s a two-year contract with a $125K signing bonus, $75K in bonuses, and a minimum base salary that includes a $100K guarantee, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Schefter adds (via Twitter) that the wideout, who turns 25 next month, visited 16 teams and had 13 contract offers to sort through.
Rogers, who played his college ball at Cal Lutheran, signed with the Cowboys as an undrafted free agent in 2013, but didn’t earn a regular-season roster spot. After joining the Portland Thunder of the Arena Football League, Rogers headed to the CFL in 2014 and had his breakout season with the Calgary Stampeders in 2015. In 17 games for Calgary, Rogers racked up 87 receptions for 1,448 yards and 10 touchdowns.
Rogers’ return to the NFL will see him playing under new 49ers head coach Chip Kelly, whose fast-paced offense should provide a challenge for the CFL star. Niners wideout Torrey Smith joked last week when Kelly’s hiring was reported that he “might have to start running right now to get in shape” (Twitter link).
The Colts, Chargers, Giants, Titans, Jets, Ravens, Steelers, Texans, Eagles, Vikings, Bears, Browns, and Washington were among the teams to give Rogers a look during his whirlwind NFL tour.
Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.
