Saskatchewan Roughriders No. 1 draft pick asks for trade

An anonymous source with knowledge of negotiations between the Saskatchewan Roughriders and their number one draft pick says Josiah St. John's agent asked for a trade days ago.

CBC granted the source's request for anonymity to protect his relationship with the CFL. 

After training camp practice this morning, head coach Chris Jones said very little about the issue.

"We're not talking about St. John. We're talking about the people who are here," said Jones. "This is our football team. If and when he ever gets here, then he'll be part of his team."

Riders quarterback Darian Durant said this is simply the business side of the game. 

"Each and every guy in our locker room has been through the business side of football," said Durant. "That's his livelihood. It's not for me to comment on what's good for him or his family."

• CFL draft: Roughriders select Josiah St. John with 1st overall pick

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It's been reported that the Riders offered St. John $52,000 in his first year with the team and $53,000 the second year. St. John is looking for a number around $80,000.

The Roughriders selected St. John first overall in the 2016 CFL draft at the beginning of May. The six-foot-six, 300 pound St. John spent the last two seasons with the Oklahoma Sooners, starting four of the 15 games he suited up for.

He made all four starts at tackle last season after dressing for eight of the Sooners' 15 contests in 2014. The communications major was the top available prospect for the draft, ranked fifth overall by the CFL scouting bureau.

Prior to this year's draft Jones said he was willing to entertain trade offers for the No. 1 pick but settled on calling St. John's name.