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There is a non-player salary cap in the CFL. Campbell’s 2020 pay will be charged to the team’s cap extended out over a five-year period.

Campbell spoke about being on a different page than GM Marcel Desjardins— both had one year remaining on their contracts — and about how tough it was to see players come and go, some of them guys he wanted to see remain as Redblacks.

“Not to get into all the specifics, but I really didn’t like it when there were people who left here with a bad taste in their mouth — the list was getting a little long,” said Campbell. “You have to treat people well, you have to treat them right, empower them, value them. If you do that, people will go through the wall for you. If you don’t, it can make it tougher.

“I just want to make sure all the people who have left this place feel appreciated and feel valued. It wasn’t a power play or anything like that. It was about everybody pulling in the same direction and making it a fun place to work — for me, that was slipping, but that’s on me.

“I do not dislike Marcel, it’s not about that. Marcel’s got a lot of knowledge, there’s a reason why we won around here. Maybe it’s me that’s changed. If you know Marcel, he’s pretty consistent in how he acts. I would guess as it’s more me changing than him. Sometimes relationships have to jive to be able to communicate. It’s nothing against Marcel, I’ll put it on me too, I have to be a better communicator.”

In a radio interview with TSN 1200 a bit later, Campbell talked about some things that had bothered him, including last week’s words (on TSN 1200 and in a Postmedia interview) from former Redblacks quarterback Henry Burris, who suggested players weren’t being treated right and it was hurting the team when so many of them were released or allowed to leave as free agents.