Hamilton has discussed trading quarterback Zach Collaros with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and received a substantial offer from the Toronto Argonauts, per sources.

Prior to the 29-year-old being benched by new Ticats head coach June Jones, Hamilton was presented with a potential deal from the Argos that would have included three Canadians and a high draft pick. Since Collaros was demoted that proposal fell by the wayside and his trade value has since diminished.

Toronto would be a logical landing spot for Collaros for a number of reasons. Former Ticats offensive coordinator Tommy Condell, now a receivers coach with Toronto, is known to have a close relationship with his former player. Collaros also played in a Marc Trestman-style offensive system while in Toronto under Scott Milanovich and Marcus Brady, who is still with the club, the latter was the offensive coordinator for the Argos in 2013 when Collaros burst onto the CFL scene.

Collaros’ best season came in 2015 where he passed for 3,376 yards, 25 touchdowns and eight interceptions, completing 70 per cent of his passes. Those numbers were put up in just 12 games as he went down with an ACL injury that ended his year. That’s the kind of ability the Argos believe Collaros still possesses.

The Argonauts currently have veteran Ricky Ray at quarterback, but the 37-year-old has struggled with injuries the past few seasons – Collaros went 5-2 as a starter for the Argos with Ray sidelined in 2013.

Meanwhile, Saskatchewan has an even older pivot as their starter in 38-year-old Kevin Glenn. Even though he’s off to an impressive start this season, the Riders are clearly looking for a quarterback of the future, and recently traded for Vernon Adams. Current backup Brandon Bridge is a free agent this coming off-season.

Collaros is the highest paid player in the league this season with a base salary of $520,000. Sources say his deal for 2017 was front-loaded but the contract has another year to run.

The 29-year-old has lost 12 straight starts, one short of the CFL record has been replaced by Jeremiah Masoli for Hamilton’s upcoming Labour Day Classic. Collaros has thrown for 1,743 yards, eight touchdowns and seven interceptions with a 62.7 completion rate. He has been under duress at a higher rate than any other quarterback in the CFL this season, including 77 pressures.