Tiger-Cats re-sign quarterback Dane Evans through 2023 season
28-year-old led Hamilton to Grey Cup in 2021 but suffered injury in loss to Winnipeg
Dane Evans won't be waiting for the start of CFL free agency after all.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats re-signed the American quarterback through the 2023 season Wednesday. While Evans' return to Hamilton isn't surprising — he has always expressed his happiness playing with the franchise — the timing is as Evans said following the season he expected to test CFL free agency before deciding where he'd play in 2022.
Evans was slated to become a CFL free agent Feb. 8.
"We're excited that Dane and his family have chosen to stay in Hamilton for the next two seasons," Orlondo Steinauer, Hamilton's head coach and president of football operations, said in a statement. "Dane is not just an outstanding quarterback, but an outstanding human being.
"His work ethic and authentic leadership skills make him someone that teammates naturally appreciate."
"Dane is just resilient. He's a winner. He's a leader."<br><br>President of Football Operations & Head Coach, <a href="https://twitter.com/Coach22O?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@Coach22O</a>, catches up with <a href="https://twitter.com/LouieB_TV?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@LouieB_TV</a> to discuss the team re-signing quarterback <a href="https://twitter.com/daneevans9?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@daneevans9</a>.<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Ticats?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Ticats</a> | <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/CFL?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#CFL</a> <a href="https://t.co/4IIdU2LsSr">pic.twitter.com/4IIdU2LsSr</a>
—@TicatsEvans, 28, has started 18 games for Hamilton over the past four seasons, including one playoff game and two Grey Cup contests (2019, 2021).
The native of Sanger, Tex., led Hamilton to a second straight Grey Cup appearance last season, completing four-of-nine passes for 21 yards before being forced to leave the game due to injury.
Veteran Jeremiah Masoli replaced Evans and finished the contest as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defeated Hamilton 33-25 in overtime at Tim Hortons Field.
Hamilton's re-signing of Evans likely means the club will move on from Masoli, 33, who's also slated to become a CFL free agent next month.
