Darian Durant ‘knows we want him here’ says Riders head coach

The calls to keep Darian Durant in Saskatchewan got a little bit louder this week, after the quarterback rushed in the game winning touchdown in overtime on Sunday.

Durant’s contract expires at the end of the 2016 season, and it has left many wondering what’s next for the 11 year CFL veteran and if the Roughriders are interested in keeping him.

On Thursday, head coach and general manager Chris Jones said they were.

“I spoke with Darian and we spoke with the people who represent him,” Jones said. “(Contract) talks are going to take place a little bit later, but again, they know of our interest and (Durant) knows we want him here.”

Durant has spent his entire career with the Roughriders, and he has maintained all season, he wants his career to end in Saskatchewan as well.

“I don’t want to go anywhere, I’ve spent my first 11 years here, I want to spend the next 11 years here,” he said shortly after the Labour Day Classic.

Durant has over 27,000 career yards in the CFL, most recently passing Kent Austin to hold second place in Roughrider passing yards.

This season he’s 230 of 339 passes for 2,650 yards with nine passing touchdowns and seven interceptions. He also has 281 rushing yards and four rushing touchdowns.