Adams and Alexander were among a group of younger CFL quarterbacks considered as potential replacements
That’s because Vernon Adams Jr. — also known as “Big Play V.A.” — was traded Tuesday to the Calgary Stampeders from the B.C. Lions in a deal that involved a handful of draft picks. Hours later the Montreal Alouettes signed Davis Alexander to a three-year contract extension.
Adams, 31, and Alexander, 26, were among a group of younger quarterbacks considered as potential replacements for Harris, who has been Saskatchewan’s starter through two, injury-plagued seasons. Harris turns 39 in May and wants to play into his 40s, despite missing 13 games in 2023 and six in 2024 with knee injuries.
That doesn’t mean O’Day didn’t explore the possibility of acquiring any of those quarterbacks, or a host of others that could include potential free agents Nick Arbuckle and Cameron Dukes, both of the Grey Cup-champion Toronto Argonauts, or Taylor Powell, who is under contract to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
If he didn’t at least look into acquiring some of those quarterbacks, O’Day wasn’t doing his job. Now he’s running out of appealing options.
As part of the Adams trade, B.C. got three upcoming draft choices while also giving up two picks. That’s a ridiculously low price! If the Roughriders didn’t bite, they must believe their 2025 quarterback will perform better than Calgary’s new starter. That’s a tough argument to make, considering Adams’ talents as a runner and passer.
As an immobile quarterback in a league that usually demands mobility, Harris is a pinpoint passer who played very well at the start and finish of the 2024 season.
Rourke’s return from numerous NFL tryouts midway through the season signalled the end of Adams’ tenure in B.C.
Calgary was always the leading destination for Adams. But Saskatchewan was certainly second — or should have been — partly because of Harris’ age.
With or without Harris, Saskatchewan’s succession plan is uncertain and unproven. Only rookie QB Jack Coan and newcomer Michael Hiers are under contract. O’Day could possibly add an experienced pivot from a CFL scrap-heap that includes Fajardo, Jake Maier, Jeremiah Masoli, Matthew Shiltz or McLeod Bethel-Thompson, but no one from that group is better than Harris.
Adams actually played 11 games for Saskatchewan as a backup and short-yardage quarterback in 2017. Myriad trades have now made Adams the property of five different CFL teams, but his most impressive performances came with B.C. and the Montreal Alouettes. In Montreal he was a teammate of Harris, who ultimately supplanted Adams as the Alouettes starter.
It could have been the other way around this time. Adams could have legitimately replaced Harris. With a little haggling and some serious interest, it looks like the Roughriders could have gotten Big Play V.A. for a bargain-basement price.
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