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“Continuity was very important for us because we have a very good team,” Reynolds said. “Extending Jeremy was great as was Mike Davis and adding Paul Jones was wonderful too. We’re quite happy with the front-office team we have and feel very good about the team and the continuity that we have there.”

Reynolds added that the contract extension is recognition of what Jones has accomplished with the Riders and what’s ahead.

“The team has shown some good growth record-wise, first and foremost, which is great to see,” Reynolds said. “We like where the team is at and we have a really good roster. Chris was the coach of the year (in 2018) and the guys love playing for him. So it’s just a natural progression.”

How far the Riders progress in 2019 and 2020 remains to be determined. The defence and special teams should be solid based on their performances in 2018.

The question of who will be the starting quarterback casts a huge shadow over the Riders. The team’s record may have improved, but Jones has done that without finding a long-term answer at the most-pivotal position.

Jones’ tenure started with Darian Durant, who was traded after one season to the Montreal Alouettes. He was followed by Kevin Glenn, who combined with Brandon Bridge to lead the CFL with 35 touchdown passes in 2017.

Last January, the Riders acquired Zach Collaros from the Hamilton Tiger-Cats for the 10th overall selection in the 2018 CFL draft. Collaros battled injuries while completing just nine touchdown passes against 13 interceptions.

Collaros and Bridge are both eligible to file for free agency on Feb. 12 and it remains to be determined if they will re-sign.

Timing is on the Riders’ side with a number of elite quarterbacks about to hit the open market as free agents. The Riders could dive into that pool and possibly land a quarterback who can complement the offence and special teams.

mmccormick@postmedia.com

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