Perry Lefko

Perry Lefko keeps you connected to all the news in the CFL on Sportsnet.ca.

Two QBs released in Toronto could signal a deal soon between two teams that have the same owner.

So why would the Toronto Argonauts be in the process of releasing quarterbacks Kerry Joseph and Cody Pickett, as reported by colleague Arash Madani? (Aside from the obvious factor that both have underachieved the last two seasons.)

Well, it has to do with a lot of moving pieces that could spark a trade between the Argos and the B.C. Lions, both teams now owned by David Braley.

The Lions are top heavy in quarterbacks and, soon to be, salary.

Casey Printers joined the Lions last September as a free agent and was making some $70,000 a season. He rose from fifth on the depth chart to first at the end of the season, showing the form he displayed in 2004 when he won the Canadian Football League’s Most Valuable Player honours.

He’s about to get a huge pay hike, likely north of $300,000 a season and perhaps as high as $400,000, to put him in line with the premier quarterbacks in the league. The deal could happen within the next two weeks.

Printers recently had a physical in B.C., suggesting the Lions wanted to evaluate him before investing in him long-term.

The Lions have Printers, Jarious Jackson, Buck Pierce, Travis Lulay and Zac Champion signed as quarterbacks. Jackson and Pierce are earning between $200,000-$250,000 a season. Both had injury problems last year. Pierce, who may be the most rugged quarterback in the CFL, sustained various injuries but was in uniform for the playoffs in which Printers lit up in the Eastern semi-final against Hamilton before coming undone in Montreal. Still, he showed enough evidence that he has to be the Lions’ No. 1 pivot.

Jackson, who has one of the strongest arms in the league, had his season ended prematurely by a rotator cuff injury in his throwing arm. He had a record of 1-2 as a starter after replacing Pierce, but posted some serious numbers in those games.

Lulay, a rookie last year who showed tremendous promise, clearly could be someone in whom the Argos would be interested. His salary would be a pittance, but if Printers is given a pay hike for some five times his current salary, then Lulay will be needed for cost reasons, not to mention his upside.

That likely leaves Pierce or Jackson available for trade. Pierce would seem to be the less appealing of the two because he’s been injury-prone; notably, he’s had various concussions. When he’s on his game, he can be among the best in the league, but the injury factor is significant.

That suggests Jackson as the likely player the Argos will try to acquire in some kind of trade. Jackson has been in the league for five seasons and has completed 455 of 832 passes for a percentage of 54.7. He was impressive replacing Pierce midway in the 2008 season, but Pierce went into training camp in 2009 as the designated starter.

Jackson is mobile and has a 4.9-yard average. He is 6-foot-1, 232 pounds and is only 32.

If the Argos and Lions swing a deal, it could create some interesting discussion because Braley owns both teams. Commissioner Mark Cohon has said any moves between the two teams will have to be for fair value and will require his seal of approval.

Should be an interesting week or two ahead, continuing the shakeup that has happened for the Argos at the head coach, ownership, player and league level.