2025 CFL Quarterback Carousel - VA traded to Calgary

[OV:54-40]

Fajardo might have to take less base money to play with the EE; but he might also be in line for a lot playing time (and thus bonus buck$) if Tre Ford falters to start the season - i have a feeling Ford will be on a very short leash there for a team / org. that needs to win right away.

And MBT at #2 for the Als could also end up playing: I'm not sure that Maas and the Als thinking Alexander is their guy to run a mostly pass offence there is going to pan-out like they think. He was impressive in a fairly small sample size but a lot of that was to do with his mobility - let's see him do well passing 30 plus times a game - game in, game out.

[don corleone]

Fajardo is a great fit for the Elks imo. Trouble will be Tre Ford is the anointed starter. Maybe they work well together but it could split the team if they struggle early again. Up to now it seems decisions made by the Elks may have had group input but I expect once the season starts Hervey will play a more assertive role in personnel. This one seems like a Hervey move to me.

MBT is going to be a free agent and wasn't going back to Edm. If Montreal can sign him it's a nice security blanket to have in the event of an injury to Davis Alexander.

[mudbowl]

My kids live in Van. Disappointed in current struggles. Wish Pierce and all - a good 2025.
Question:
Who does BC have as it's primary backup QB?
Are they still looking?
It's so vital in today's CFL.
Happy Holidays.
MB

[B.C.FAN]

My kids live in Van. Disappointed in current struggles. Wish Pierce and all - a good 2025.
Question:
Who does BC have as it's primary backup QB?
Are they still looking?
It's so vital in today's CFL.
Happy Holidays.
MB

I think the Lions are happy with Chase Brice, who is entering his third season with the team. He has a strong arm and looked good in limited action as the No. 3 QB last year, completing 22 of 29 passes for 232 yards and a TD. That could change, of course, with a new coaching staff installing a new offence.

[Toppy Vann]

My kids live in Van. Disappointed in current struggles. Wish Pierce and all - a good 2025.
Question:
Who does BC have as it's primary backup QB?
Are they still looking?
It's so vital in today's CFL.
Happy Holidays.
MB

I think the Lions are happy with Chase Brice, who is entering his third season with the team. He has a strong arm and looked good in limited action as the No. 3 QB last year, completing 22 of 29 passes for 232 yards and a TD. That could change, of course, with a new coaching staff installing a new offence.

When I saw Brice play, the ONLY question that arose for me was "why he wasn't at least given something to do to get him involved? Buck got that when we had 4 QBs and injuries (Dave D. Casey Jarius and Buck).


The other QB just signed (but these guys often don't pan out for many reasons including not given a chance (something I'd not fear if Buck is HC)

B.C. Lions sign dual-threat QB Garrett Shrader
By 3Down Staff -December 10, 2024

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/10/b-c- ... t-shrader/

[Hambone]

We are in different times Toppy. Back when Buck was breaking in Wally was the coach. He was known for giving practice reps to all the QBs. In that era you mention it was necessary for survival as it seemed like one and sometimes 2 of those 4 were always out with an injury. I'd need to find an old CBA from 20 years back but I'm pretty the number of practices and lengths of them were considerably greater than today. Practice reps have become a precious commodity in the days of no more than 3 practices and quite often only 2 in a week. For 6 (1/3) of their 18 games in 2024 BC had only 2 practices to prepare for an upcoming game.

[Toppy Vann]

We are in different times Toppy. Back when Buck was breaking in Wally was the coach. He was known for giving practice reps to all the QBs. In that era you mention it was necessary for survival as it seemed like one and sometimes 2 of those 4 were always out with an injury. I'd need to find an old CBA from 20 years back but I'm pretty the number of practices and lengths of them were considerably greater than today. Practice reps have become a precious commodity in the days of no more than 3 practices and quite often only 2 in a week. For 6 (1/3) of their 18 games in 2024 BC had only 2 practices to prepare for an upcoming game.

My my main point is that they should find ways to keep the back up QBs like Brice game involved and also in practices. It can be done.

That'd be interesting to know but not required.

They also had a QB coach in Stef Kruck who both worked on drills with QBs unlike they do now in down time since then where now the QBs toss the ball to each other with the OC. Wally did give QBs reps and ran scout teams with QBs also.

Buck won his job in Regina when Jarious hurt his thumb on his first play and Buck won that preseason game.

I recall him going into a game at BC Place with the then sad sack Ticats and Wally got beat up by Dan Russell for running up the score.
Imagine being Wally. You have to go in front of the media and say something like 'what can you do' -'you cant tell a young QB not to score'.
I like Wally did feel a bit bad for the Ticats that night.

Russell's comments were even stupider as he wasn't even at the game.

[Hambone]

Riders acquire the rights to QB Jake Maier for a conditional 8th rd pick. Conditions likely are dependent on the Riders signing him to an extension.

https://3downnation.com/2024/12/23/sask ... tampeders/

[don corleone]

Riders acquire the rights to QB Jake Maier for a conditional 8th rd pick. Conditions likely are dependent on the Riders signing him to an extension.

Good trade by the Riders and nice to see a move with an eye to the future.

Maier has a lot of experience for his age and has been able to stay healthy. He's not a short yardage guy so maybe Shea Patterson sticks for that. Unfortunate there are so few spots to go around.

[Toppy Vann]

Riders acquire the rights to QB Jake Maier for a conditional 8th rd pick. Conditions likely are dependent on the Riders signing him to an extension.

Good trade by the Riders and nice to see a move with an eye to the future.

Maier has a lot of experience for his age and has been able to stay healthy. He's not a short yardage guy so maybe Shea Patterson sticks for that. Unfortunate there are so few spots to go around.

Maier to me is an enigma. Lacks fire and any sense of a competitive nature (in interviews LOL).

A change of scenery might help. Sask doesn't give up much and this season if Shea Patterson stays there with Maier it's hard to see more than short yardage for him.

[Hambone]

Maier to me is an enigma. Lacks fire and any sense of a competitive nature (in interviews LOL).

A change of scenery might help. Sask doesn't give up much and this season if Shea Patterson stays there with Maier it's hard to see more than short yardage for him.

If the Riders can re-sign Maier to deal fitting his new backup role I don't think they will try to re-sign Patterson who is a pending FA.

[don corleone]

Thinking Shea Patterson might be a good addition for the Lions in a 2 / 3 combination with Chase Brice in support of Nathan Rourke. Checks quite a few boxes in terms of age, size, character... Didn't get much of a chance last year imo. Tre Ford would have been complaining.

Alternatively Dakota Prukop played under Buck for a couple of seasons in Winnipeg and brings a lot to the team not only in short yardage but also as a special teamer. I can see a few teams being interested and would expect him to be slightly more expensive.

Seems unlikely the Lions will go younger with the #3 with both Rourke and Brice at their age.

[Hambone]

With Rourke being on his deal, having extended Betts under a contract that makes him the CFL's highest paid defensive player and hoping to retain McInnis among others BC will have to be extremely cost conscious in other areas. I think backup QB will be one of those areas. Whoever else they bring to camp will have to be willing to work for league minimum or not much more.

It could be argued that Patterson didn't get much of a chance last year but whatever playing time he was going to get would be 100% dependent on Harris getting hurt. Harris played until suffering that knee injury. Patterson played until Harris recovered then sat the rest of the way. Despite the same offensive coaching staff the Riders went out and acquired Maier to be Harris' #2 which is indication of what they think of Patterson's ceiling.

Prukop is what he is. He's a short yardage specialist who has proven himself limited in ability to run an offense. While he did play for the Bombers under Pierce he was unable to earn the #2 role over Dru Brown. In his 2 years in WPG he registered 111 carries but only 22 pass attempts, completing 11. He came to Kamloops with the Lions last year but didn't even make it to the 2nd preseason game before being cut.

There is no need for a short yardage specialist in BC assuming they re-sign Mackie. Between him and Rourke that need is more than covered by guys who have proven themselves not just proficient in converting the 1st down but also breaking.a short yardage play for a huge gain. IMO Prukop's skillset offers BC nothing of need. I think we wind up with Brice and a rookie behind Rourke.

One thing that could work in their favour for getting a #2 or #3 with some experience is supply and demand. With the return of Rourke, handing over of the keys to Ford & Alexander 1/3 of the CFL has new starters making for a deeper pool of backups with some experience potentially available in free agency; Crum, Dukes, Arbuckle, Masoli, Evans, Patterson, Prukop, Shiltz come to mind along with Streveler who might not be ready for camp. I think Hamilton is happy with Powell behind BLM. If MTL and SSK get work things out with MBT and Maier that's 9 guys vying for what might be 5 #2 jobs and some #3 jobs. Might be some bargains to be found at the bottom of the scrap heap.

[don corleone]

With Rourke being on his deal, having extended Betts under a contract that makes him the CFL's highest paid defensive player and hoping to retain McInnis among others BC will have to be extremely cost conscious in other areas. I think backup QB will be one of those areas. Whoever else they bring to camp will have to be willing to work for league minimum or not much more.

It could be argued that Patterson didn't get much of a chance last year but whatever playing time he was going to get would be 100% dependent on Harris getting hurt. Harris played until suffering that knee injury. Patterson played until Harris recovered then sat the rest of the way. Despite the same offensive coaching staff the Riders went out and acquired Maier to be Harris' #2 which is indication of what they think of Patterson's ceiling.

Prukop is what he is. He's a short yardage specialist who has proven himself limited in ability to run an offense. While he did play for the Bombers under Pierce he was unable to earn the #2 role over Dru Brown. In his 2 years in WPG he registered 111 carries but only 22 pass attempts, completing 11. He came to Kamloops with the Lions last year but didn't even make it to the 2nd preseason game before being cut.

There is no need for a short yardage specialist in BC assuming they re-sign Mackie. Between him and Rourke that need is more than covered by guys who have proven themselves not just proficient in converting the 1st down but also breaking.a short yardage play for a huge gain. IMO Prukop's skillset offers BC nothing of need. I think we wind up with Brice and a rookie behind Rourke.

One thing that could work in their favour for getting a #2 or #3 with some experience is supply and demand. With the return of Rourke, handing over of the keys to Ford & Alexander 1/3 of the CFL has new starters making for a deeper pool of backups with some experience potentially available in free agency; Crum, Dukes, Arbuckle, Masoli, Evans, Patterson, Prukop, Shiltz come to mind along with Streveler who might not be ready for camp. I think Hamilton is happy with Powell behind BLM. If MTL and SSK get work things out with MBT and Maier that's 9 guys vying for what might be 5 #2 jobs and some #3 jobs. Might be some bargains to be found at the bottom of the scrap heap.

In the end more surprising than Prukop getting cut was Prukop being signed. Similar to Shawn Lemon. I don't take being released as a sole indicator of a players ability. Possibly something to do with the reason there is now one GM.

You missed Dolegala on your list.

Also all good if they never have to play a snap but just can't see them putting in time with a fresh recruit when there is no realistic path forward considering Rourke could easily be the guy for the next six years which may be a deterrent in attracting a quality backup. No point in drafting younger brother.

Trouble will be if Nathan goes down for any period of time.

Chase Brice actually looked good to me in the time he had last year. I think they were looking closely with 2025 in mind getting him some time when they could have played VA. Seems a good chance he will be a capable #2.

Buck's history suggests a short yardage guy and not sure how much time he will have to work with the second and third string guys if the plan is HC / OC / play caller / QB coach. Even if he is willing it is unfair to burden him with such a work load imo.

Could be a new trend is here with the fullback taking the short yardage snaps. Seemed to work and was nice to see the fullbacks getting tds and being mentioned. Kind of an unsung role at times.

Another part of it is giving a guy the chance to be included be it as place holder or special teamer so that he is part of the team. Could be where character and leadership becomes part of the reason for having the guy on the team. Might make sense to get someone looking to get into coaching.

[Hambone]

Unless it's a CFL.ca omission, Dolegala is not listed as a pending FA. Being late in the season (5 games left) when the Bombers signed him, coupled with the severity of Streveler's injury, WPG may have signed him thru 2025.

As much as BC hopes Rourke is their guy for the next 6-12 years they should never stop looking for "the next one". Even if they like Brice they should be looking to add another young QB to compete with him, be an upgrade on him or otherwise be ready to replace him should he decide to move on for a better opportunity elsewhere. That could happen as early as next offseason.

No disagreement on ability not being sole reason for a player's release but in Prukop's case it only took about 12 days of camp and 1 preseason game to decide his ability wasn't enough to earn one of the 3 QB spots on the roster.

Shawn Lemon is a great example where things other than ability come into play. He's now a Hamilton Ticat stop away from filling out the Kevin Glenn bingo card. The Als were his 19th pro football and 14th CFL stop since joining the Bombers in 2011. They are also his 10th CFL stop just since joining Ottawa late in the 2015 season after an unsuccessful NFL foray. A guy with his ability must have other issues to move around as much as he has.