For Canadian linebacker and now former Saskatchewan Roughrider Cam Judge, it was never about leaving Saskatchewan, but simply going to a place where he received the best offer and felt like he had the best chance to win.

Judge spoke with Derek Taylor on the SportsCage Monday afternoon, and said he’s happy to be a part of the Argonauts plan moving forward.

“I see it as the best situation for me going forward, I feel like they’re building something special out there and I’m excited to be a part of that,” Judge said.

“The most important thing for me going into free agency was going to a team where I feel we have a chance to win a championship, that’s my number one goal when I step on the field, is to try and work towards that, I saw that opportunity in Toronto,” Judge elaborated.

The signing also reportedly makes Judge the highest paid linebacker in the CFL, with TSN’s Farhan Lalji reporting the Argos are giving Judge $137,000 in hard money, $160,000 with incentives and a $45,000 signing bonus.

Whatever the true earnings are, Judge admitted it’s nice to be rewarded with that “big deal” after years of dedication to the game.

“Oh yeah for sure, it’s definitely a nice little reward after about 20 years of working towards football, it really feels good,” he said.

For the 26-year-old who was born in Montreal, but grew up in the Los Angeles area, the NFL was still the ultimate goal, as Judge had recently spent time working out with multiple teams before feeling he had exhausted all his options south of the border.

In 2019 Judge had a monster year with Saskatchewan, recording 61 defensive tackles, 11 special teams tackles, five sacks, two interceptions and one touchdown.