According to the CFL Transactions list, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and American linebacker Kyle Wilson have agreed to a restructuring contract for Wilson. During the 2022 Free Agency period, the Tiger-Cats re-signed Wilson to a contract that would keep him in Hamilton through the 2024 season. That contract extension came after Wilson played in 17 games for the Tiger-Cats during the 2022 season.
In 2023, Wilson only played in 10 games for the Tiger-Cats, which has led to a restructured contract with a reduced salary. During the 2024 off-season, the Tiger-Cats worked to overhaul their defensive position groups by committing their resources to bringing younger defensive players with a significant potential upside. This approach to free agency contrasts significantly with the Tiger-Cats 2023 free-agency period, resulting in Hamilton loading up their roster with many veteran defensive players.
Unfortunately for Hamilton, betting on veteran free agents did not pay off during the 2023 season. The result was a revolving door of injured players and dysfunctional behavior on and off the field. The overhaul of the Tiger-Cats’ linebacking unit started with trading the Toronto Argonauts to obtain linebacker Jordan Williams. Wilson has been with the Tiger-Cats since 2018, but he fits the mold of a younger player with potential, although he has not fulfilled that potential so far in his three-year career.
Before coming to the Tiger-Cats, the Philadelphia Eagles signed Wilson in 2018 as an undrafted free agent. During the 2018 NFL season, he was released by the Eagles and signed by the Chargers. 2018, Wilson played three games for the Chargers, recording two total tackles. Wilson remained with the Chargers in 2019 until being released.
Wilson has the physical attributes to be a successful linebacker in the CFL. With a 6’0″, 229-pound frame, the native of Wichita, Kansas, is the prototypical size for a linebacker in the CFL. The restructured contract shows that the Tiger-Cats view Wilson as a potential fit in their group of linebackers, but he will need to perform more consistently in 2024 if he wants to expand his role with the Tiger-Cats in future seasons.
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