Dexter McCluster discusses his year out of football, joining Toronto Argonauts
By Matt Conner
Dexter McCluster sounds like he’s ready to do what he can to improve the Toronto Argonauts and return to football after a year away.
The Toronto Argonauts presented their latest signing to the media on Tuesday with a press conference for Dexter McCluster, and the former Kansas City Chiefs running back sounded like a man grateful for the opportunity to return to the field for the first time in over a year.
The Argonauts hosted McCluster for a visit last week and decided to go ahead and sign the seven-year NFL veteran even though he had sat out the previous season completely. When asked about the time away, McCluster said it was great for his family life but that he grew to miss the game.
“It’s been a year now that I’ve been off the field, but I kind of enjoyed it. I got time to spend with my wife and my three, almost four, kids now. I enjoyed that process of it. I had the chance to actually coach at a high school [Ravenwood High School] this spring and summer, and that’s what gave me that itch back to want to get back to the game.”
Former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman will be McCluster’s new head coach, and it sounded like the offensive-minded coach was glad to add someone with McCluster’s agility, experience and instincts.
“His message was, ‘We like you. We know what you can do, what you’re capable of. We want to get you out here and see where you fit in. Competition brings out the best of anybody and it makes the whole team better. One thing he did say was just, ‘Come out here. Come out here full speed hitting it hard and see how the chips fall.'”
McCluster faces a serious adjustment like any player who has taken significant time away from the game, especially after his final NFL season was abbreviated with the San Diego Chargers due to a forearm injury in 2016. The injury limited McCluster to only six games in a single-year stint with the team. Before that, McCluster enjoyed two decent seasons in Tennessee with the Titans after playing out his rookie deal in Kansas City.
McCluster ended his NFL career with 3,035 yards from scrimmage as a nice two-way threat out of the backfield. While never a feature back Trestman should be able to find use for his myriad offensive skills if he can show he’s ready to return to the field.