Report: Rookie St. John issues trade request to Riders as contract talks stall

SASKATOON – Offensive lineman Josiah St. John continues to be a no-show at the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ training camp.

And it doesn’t look like the former Oklahoma Sooners star will be coming any time soon.

St. John, a native of Ajax, Ont., who was selected first overall by Saskatchewan in last month’s CFL draft, has reportedly asked to be traded by the Riders as the two sides have hit a snag in contract talks.

Chris Jones, the Riders head coach/GM, refused to discuss St. John’s situation Friday.

“We’re not talking about St. John,” he said. “We’re talking about the people that are here.”

Saskatchewan is reportedly offering St. John a two-year deal that would pay him $52,000 in his first season and $53,000 in 2017. Jonathan Hardaway, St. John’s agent, is said to be looking for a base salary of roughly $80,000 annually.

Last year centre Alex Mateas — who went first overall last year to Ottawa — and guard Sukh Chungh — who was drafted second by Winnipeg — reportedly signed deals that included base salaries of approximately $80,000 along with bonuses.

The six-foot-six, 300 pound St. John spent two seasons with the Sooners.