Wilder Jr. opens up about his decision to sit out 2018

Toronto Argonauts running back James Wilder Jr. explained Tuesday night why he plans to sit out next season, saying his CFL salary isn't sufficient when it comes to covering such costs as rent, food, transportation and schooling for his children.

"So get paid as you go for all of the brutal banging bone crushing we do while the financial struggling," Wilder wrote on Twitter. "Or, don't risk any of that damage to the body for work as I go....work for more as I remain healthy put my family in more comfortable situation completely healthy."

Wilder Jr. wrote on 3DownNation.com last week that he has garnered interest from NFL teams, but the Argonauts are apparently unwilling to give the green light for him to follow up.

The Argos responded that they had no discussions with Wilder Jr. about restructuring his contract and hope he returns to the club for the 2018 season.

"As per league rules, all players entering the CFL must sign a minimum two year contract," said the Argonauts in a team statement. "James Wilder Jr. is currently entering the second year of that entry contract. We have not had any discussions with James about extending or restructuring his current contract. Nor have we had any discussions with his representation. League rules also state that teams, whether in the CFL or NFL, are prohibited from contacting any player currently under contract."

"We appreciate all of the contributions James made to the Argonauts last year. We certainly hope he changes his stance and would welcome his return."

Wilder Jr. then clarified that he loves the CFL and the Argonauts, but needed to make the decision for his family.

"Don't twist it It's not bad mouthing the league I love @CFL it's not bad mouthing the team I love the @TorontoArgos it's not bad mouthing the coaches love the coaches it's not bad mouthing anybody it's just raw facts and an easy decision I had to make as the head of my household!!" he wrote.

Wilder ran for 872 yards and five touchdowns over 17 games last season and was named the CFL's top rookie.

Toronto is the most expensive city in Canada if you gonna live in a safe environment with a lease shorter than a year I doubt you find anything under 3k l....Times that by the 6 months thats 18k alone of the 35k paid after taxes not including utility,lights etc — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

The professional team doesn't provide breakfast or lunch so you add in the food money, and if you want to remain healthy and eat right to perform at your best that's more $$$ out of the 18k you have left let's just say 1k a month not including wife n kids that leaves you 12k left — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

Out of the 12K you have to have transportation either rental or car, gas, and insurance would range around 750 a month for 6 months that's 4500 out of the 12K leaving you at 7500 — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

Regular living needs cleaning, soap, etc for 6 months I'll be extremly light and say 2500 of your remaining 7,500 that leaves you at 5k — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

Kids school? Let's be VERY NON REALISTIC and say only 2k that leaves you at 3K — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

Diapers for 6 months by itself HA let's be VERY NON REALISTIC and say 1k for 6 months that'll leave 2K left — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

Season over now it's time to pay travel fees let's say 1K that leaves you at 1K — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

Convert 1K CAD to USD thats 800 left after season if you not once dined out bought warm clothes or anything — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

So get paid as you go for all of the brutal banging bone crushing we do while the financial struggling — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

OR — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

Don't risk any of that damage to the body for work as I go....work for more as I remain healthy put my family in more comfortable situation completely healthy — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

I understand and know I don't have to explain myself but I love all my supportive fans and want all of you to understand why I'm forced to make the decision of putting my dream of football aside for better for my family it's not a want too, it's a have too!!!!!!!!!!!!!! — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

Don't twist it It's not bad mouthing the league I love @CFL it's not bad mouthing the team I love the @TorontoArgos it's not bad mouthing the coaches love the coaches it's not bad mouthing anybody it's just raw facts and a easy decision I had to make as the head of my household!! — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

That's the last Ill talk about it — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018

Anyway who's the winner of the Super Bowl patriots or eagles???? — James Wilder Jr (@IAm_Wilder32) January 31, 2018