2025 CFL Quarterback Carousel - VA traded to Calgary

[don corleone]

So much for my idle speculation. Important thing for the Lions is it is done.

Calgary got a good QB and paired with Walker should be a good combination. Unfortunately for VA no schedule out yet to circle the day Calgary plays BC. Curious if Stanback goes with him.

[OV:54-40]

Who's the clueless clown in BC who engineered this trade? What a hosing - just laughable IMO.

So much for your belief that teams should ask for and automatically receive the moon.

My belief is more that it would be nice for a team to have a GM who has a few brain cells. That was a laughable joke of a return for a starting QB.

[SammyGreene]

The only team where it really made sense. Happy for VA.

[B.C.FAN]

This is a good trade for both teams. It was obvious that Calgary needed a top quarterback and would be willing to pay the highest price. The Lions don’t get the Stamps’ first overall draft pick but they move into the top 9 with the Stamps’ second rounder.

[Blitz]

We gave up a first rounder for Vernon Adams and he was nowhere near as good a quarterback back then as he is today.

A quarterback who can come in and start and likely play very well does not grow on trees. Calgary got a very good, very experienced quarterback for a very low price. They are already a much better team and they have instantly become a much more difficult team to play against next season.

I'm happy for Vernon Adams that this happened quickly. I'm not so happy for Leos fans that we were not able to at least get a first round draft choice for him. In my view a first round draft choice and a second or a first round draft choice and a good young player should have been the price.

[David]

I am disappointed that we didn't get more in return, even on someone on their neg list, but the market has spoken. If there were more suitors, the return would have been greater which leads me to believe that the interest in Sask, Edmonton, and Hamilton was lukewarm at best.

I am happy for VA if Calgary is where he wants to play, but I would have much preferred him going to the East vs the 2nd round pick we got back. We just helped a division rival get better.



DH

[cromartie]

I am slightly less than whelmed.

A lot of people like to play fantasy football with trades, while a lot of us suffer from the Endowment Effect. The reality is a somewhat gutted market for QBs. This really boils down to the first pick in the second round of next year's draft and some incremental value over the next two seasons.

This really sits at the bottom of what I would consider acceptable value. In a world where other considerations don't matter I'd prefer he not be in the same division but this is a C+/B- haul in my opinion, depending on what we actually get out of the draft with the picks that were acquired.

[OV:54-40]

I am slightly less than whelmed.

A lot of people like to play fantasy football with trades, while a lot of us suffer from the Endowment Effect. The reality is a somewhat gutted market for QBs. This really boils down to the first pick in the second round of next year's draft and some incremental value over the next two seasons.

This really sits at the bottom of what I would consider acceptable value. In a world where other considerations don't matter I'd prefer he not be in the same division but this is a C+/B- haul in my opinion, depending on what we actually get out of the draft with the picks that were acquired.

Sure, if you have a really smart GM and scouts who value and understand Canadian talent and are willing to look at all positions; could possibly get 2 starters right away; I guess this trade could work out pretty well; but that's a big IF.

Good for VA and the Stamps to move on and look forward. Not sure why the Lions had to make this trade so soon? Could have waited the Stamps out and made them sweat and liklwly got way more in return, IMO.

[David]

Sure, if you have a really smart GM and scouts who value and understand Canadian talent and are willing to look at all positions; could possibly get 2 starters right away; I guess this trade could work out pretty well; but that's a big IF.

Good for VA and the Stamps to move on and look forward. Not sure why the Lions had to make this trade so soon? Could have waited the Stamps out and made them sweat and liklwly got way more in return, IMO.

You sound as though Rigmaiden and McEvoy had all kinds of leverage here. The reality is, they didn't. Other teams could have just waited out BC to release him as we couldn't have gone into the season with Rourke and VA (roster bonus due in Jan). Other QBs available on the market.


DH

[OV:54-40]

Sure, if you have a really smart GM and scouts who value and understand Canadian talent and are willing to look at all positions; could possibly get 2 starters right away; I guess this trade could work out pretty well; but that's a big IF.

Good for VA and the Stamps to move on and look forward. Not sure why the Lions had to make this trade so soon? Could have waited the Stamps out and made them sweat and liklwly got way more in return, IMO.

You sound as though Rigmaiden and McEvoy had all kinds of leverage here. The reality is, they didn't. Other teams could have just waited out BC to release him as we couldn't have gone into the season with Rourke and VA. Other QBs available on the market.


DH

When does CFL free agency start for teams in QB need being able to sign other options?

And what other better options did the Stamps have that they would prefer over VA. ?

So you figure that whoever it was for the Lions said: we want this : (i.e. a starting player plus a first round draft pick) and the Stumps replied nope, this is our counter-offer; take it or leave it ?

[Dusty]

I am assuming that trading VA now means his salary for December (only) will not be included in the BC 2024 salary cap. His salary while on the 6 game injured list also doesn't count.

I wonder if lowering the salary cap overage, by even a small amount, played in the decision to trade now, although I do think that getting the deal done quickly is respectful of VA.

[Hambone]

Who's the clueless clown in BC who engineered this trade? What a hosing - just laughable IMO.

So much for your belief that teams should ask for and automatically receive the moon.

My belief is more that it would be nice for a team to have a GM who has a few brain cells. That was a laughable joke of a return for a starting QB.

This isn't the 1980s when 10 for 1 deals happened. When was the last time a team got more than picks and depth players for a starting QB unless the other guys were desperate in mid-season or the GM was Kavis Reed?

In 2023 BLM fetched CGY a move up 2 spots in the 2023 1st as they flipped 1sts with HAM while adding a 3rd
(Boahen) and 6th (Sebastian Howard). Howard returned to school in 2023 before coming to camp in 2024 where he was cut and probably now out of football. CGY and HAM both subsequently traded their 2024 picks.

For VA BC gets what amounts to a 1st without giving one up in return plus a small upgrade in the 3rd and the same 1 round upgrade in 2026.

Getting the equivalent of a 1st was crucial and the most important asset for BC to acquire. They currently don't have a 3rd leaving them with 3rd, 12th and 32nd to show for the first 4 rounds. They now have 3rd, 9th, 12th and 29th. I will be shocked if they don't have to forfeit that 3rd overall for SMS violations which would have left them with a woefully thin 11th and 31st overall slots to show for the first 4 rounds. Now if they forfeit 3rd overall the rest slide up giving them the 8th, 11th and 28th spots. Much better draft positioning for VA and 31st this year.

BC gave up a 1st for VA in 2022 but they needed a starter and needed one immediately.
Dane Evans begat a conditional 4th.
Ottawa sent Calgary a 3rd and later flipped 1sts when Arbuckle signed to be OTT's starter.
In 2014 WPG acquired Drew Willy to be their starter for the immortal Jade Etienne.
In mid-season 2016 Toronto trying desperately to stay in the playoff race and having lost Ricky Ray for the season acquired Willy for TJ Heath, 2017 1st and 2018 3rd.
In 2012 Toronto acquired Ricky Ray for a 1st, Steven Jyles and a punter Grant Shaw.

Calgary and everybody else in the CFL knew BC HAD to trade VA. After shopping him around a bit I think Rigmaiden came to the conclusion only Calgary was seriously interested something no doubt Dickenson was well aware of. Hervey's arrival in EDM has changed to QB calculus there. I think they want to retain Ford now. Landing VA would only be inviting him to find work elsewhere. Also EDM doesn't have the 1st BC needed back in a deal. If BC would accept their 2nd rounder that would leave them with no picks until 22nd and only 5 for the draft.

[OV:54-40]

So much for your belief that teams should ask for and automatically receive the moon.

My belief is more that it would be nice for a team to have a GM who has a few brain cells. That was a laughable joke of a return for a starting QB.

This isn't the 1980s when 10 for 1 deals happened. When was the last time a team got more than picks and depth players for a starting QB unless the other guys were desperate in mid-season or the GM was Kavis Reed?

In 2023 BLM fetched CGY a move up 2 spots in the 2023 1st as they flipped 1sts with HAM while adding a 3rd
(Boahen) and 6th (Sebastian Howard). Howard returned to school in 2023 before coming to camp in 2024 where he was cut and probably now out of football. CGY and HAM both subsequently traded their 2024 picks.

For VA BC gets what amounts to a 1st without giving one up in return plus a small upgrade in the 3rd and the same 1 round upgrade in 2026.

Getting the equivalent of a 1st was crucial and the most important asset for BC to acquire. They currently don't have a 3rd leaving them with 3rd, 12th and 32nd to show for the first 4 rounds. They now have 3rd, 9th, 12th and 29th. I will be shocked if they don't have to forfeit that 3rd overall for SMS violations which would have left them with a woefully thin 11th and 31st overall slots to show for the first 4 rounds. Now if they forfeit 3rd overall the rest slide up giving them the 8th, 11th and 28th spots. Much better draft positioning for VA and 31st this year.

BC gave up a 1st for VA in 2022 but they needed a starter and needed one immediately.
Dane Evans begat a conditional 4th.
Ottawa sent Calgary a 3rd and later flipped 1sts when Arbuckle signed to be OTT's starter.
In 2014 WPG acquired Drew Willy to be their starter for the immortal Jade Etienne.
In mid-season 2016 Toronto trying desperately to stay in the playoff race and having lost Ricky Ray for the season acquired Willy for TJ Heath, 2017 1st and 2018 3rd.
In 2012 Toronto acquired Ricky Ray for a 1st, Steven Jyles and a punter Grant Shaw.

Calgary and everybody else in the CFL knew BC HAD to trade VA. After shopping him around a bit I think Rigmaiden came to the conclusion only Calgary was seriously interested something no doubt Dickenson was well aware of. Hervey's arrival in EDM has changed to QB calculus there. I think they want to retain Ford now. Landing VA would only be inviting him to find work elsewhere. Also EDM doesn't have the 1st BC needed back in a deal. If BC would accept their 2nd rounder that would leave them with no picks until 22nd and only 5 for the draft.

If you want to assume standard myopic dullard CFL GM work nowdays is all that can happen, re getting trade value for a starting QB, them have at 'er. And even the 2012 trade for Ray you mentioned netted quite better return: an actual 1st rounder, a veteran depth QB and a good quality punter (Shaw had dual kicker ability and did both) So If the Lions had got a 1st rounder + Jake Maier + a key special teams guy off the Stamps, that might have been decent, but still not enough IMO. They got fleeced.

[Hambone]

I am assuming that trading VA now means his salary for December (only) will not be included in the BC 2024 salary cap. His salary while on the 6 game injured list also doesn't count.

I wonder if lowering the salary cap overage, by even a small amount, played in the decision to trade now, although I do think that getting the deal done quickly is respectful of VA.

Players only get bonuses and game cheques. Be they on the roster or injured list they get 1/18th of their salary to be paid to them immediately following each game. Playoff money comes out of the CFL's pocket. As far as SMS implications for BC there would be no more moneys owed to him for 2024 once he received his game cheque for the Montreal game on Oct 19. The exception would be for any performance bonuses for all-star awards he might have in his contract. He would have to be paid for them immediately after they were announced.

VA was never on the 6 game. If he was he would have been paid after every BC game while on it.

[Hambone]

Sure, if you have a really smart GM and scouts who value and understand Canadian talent and are willing to look at all positions; could possibly get 2 starters right away; I guess this trade could work out pretty well; but that's a big IF.

Good for VA and the Stamps to move on and look forward. Not sure why the Lions had to make this trade so soon? Could have waited the Stamps out and made them sweat and liklwly got way more in return, IMO.

You sound as though Rigmaiden and McEvoy had all kinds of leverage here. The reality is, they didn't. Other teams could have just waited out BC to release him as we couldn't have gone into the season with Rourke and VA. Other QBs available on the market.


DH

When does CFL free agency start for teams in QB need being able to sign other options?

And what other better options did the Stamps have that they would prefer over VA. ?

So you figure that whoever it was for the Lions said: we want this : (i.e. a starting player plus a first round draft pick) and the Stumps replied nope, this is our counter-offer; take it or leave it ?

You know full well free agency doesn't start until February. At that point the likes of Trevor Harris, MBT, Tre Ford, Cameron Dukes, Davis Alexander and Dustin Crum might be available.......or they might not. Depending on what Maciocia might decide Alexander may not be available but Fajardo could via trade. If Dickenson is only a half-assed smart GM he will have already put his feelers out on them as options if BC's ask for Adams is too high. Rigmaiden was in no way holding all the cards in this poker game.

You also know full well that trades don't come about off of one "we want this" and "nope this is all we're giving up take it or leave it" conversation. There's always considerable back and forth discussing combinations of picks and players before common ground is met and a deal is done.