Toronto Argonauts sign Karlos Williams to replace James Wilder Jr.

After granting James Wilder Jr. his release, the Toronto Argonauts went down a similar route to replace him with former NFL running back Karlos Williams.

Toronto Argonauts fans were caught off guard a little bit with the announcement that James Wilder Jr. was granted his release from the team but many also saw the writing on the wall based on his this season went.

The 2017 Most Outstanding Rookie wasn’t being used in the way that he felt he should have been and was even asked to play on special teams. This didn’t sit well with the running back and he was even made a healthy scratch at different points in the season.

Now, he will look to pursue other options in the U.S. including the XFL where he might get a chance to reunite with former Argos coach Marc Trestman who is running the Tampa Bay Vipers. He could also look at pursuing WWE considering he impressed them a lot during his tryout last year.

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The Argos have closed that chapter and already have a potential replacement in former NFL running back Karlos Williams who recently signed this week.

Williams last played in 2017 with the Pittsburgh Steelers after he was drafted in the fifth round in the 2015 NFL Draft by the Buffalo Bills. He was well known for having an NFL record scoring a touchdown in six consecutive games to start his career.

Unfortunately, a couple of suspensions related to substance abuse ended his time in the NFL and like Wilder, who was a teammate with Williams at Florida State, the 26-year-old has a chance to reinvent himself in the CFL.

Both running backs are similar in terms of their physical style of running who rely on breaking tackles at the second level once they initiate contact.

The Argos currently have Brandon Burks and A.J. Ouellette on the depth chart at running back but it’s important to establish some depth going into training camp.  As the season was coming to an end, the Argos only had one healthy running back which is not ideal.

Now they can try to focus on other positions heading into the draft and free agency which should be pretty busy considering the team is coming off back-to-back seasons with four wins.

What do you make of the Argos newest addition? Could he be a potential replacement for Wilder Jr.? Let us know in the comments below.