2024-2025 CFL (non-Bomber) off-season discussion

[Blue In BC]

Weird Montreal got rid of Fajardo, all he did was win them a Grey Cup. Now they turn the ball over to Junior, who could very well fall flat on his face, and then have MBT come in vs Fajardo?? Ok, whatever. Montreals offense was no where near as good with Alexander in vs Fajardo, but they signed the kid to a 3 year deal, I guess we'll see. On the other hand, Ford is a more versatile Qb and can make something out of absolutely nothing, and his backup is now Fajardo. Edmonton fleeced Montreal on this one.

So Calgary got Adams, and Edmonton got Fajardo as a backup....the west just got alot tougher!!!

Not so fast. Fajardo is due $200K on Jan 15th and $482K in hard money for 2025. They'll want to renegotiate that deal for him to stay. MBT is a pending free agent and negotiating a deal to be the # 2 is not any certainty.

It's interesting but both may end up elsewhere or where they are today.

[Pete]

I'm not sure how Fajardo and Ford coexist, Fajardo is already on record stating that he feels but for a hamstring he could have been the MVP of the league and by all accounts Edmonton has stated that Jones is the man for the next 3 years.
  If Ford falters as all the locker room could get divided in a hurry - see BC with Rourke/Adams
 

[Blueforlife]

Hamilton and Ottawa have hired their DC's. So it doesn't appear that R. Hall will be leaving the team.

Things regarding our OC are a little more vague as to what we'll be doing but IMO it will be decided in good time.

Be great if Hall stays.  Guys a mastermind.

[Jesse]

I'm not sure how Fajardo and Ford coexist, Fajardo is already on record stating that he feels but for a hamstring he could have been the MVP of the league and by all accounts Edmonton has stated that Jones is the man for the next 3 years.
  If Ford falters as all the locker room could get divided in a hurry - see BC with Rourke/Adams
 

Montreal was already the only place that would take him last time he was a free agent. He's out of options.

[Blue In BC]

Montreal was already the only place that would take him last time he was a free agent. He's out of options.

Things change but how much is any team willing to pay to have him as a # 2? He may end up retiring. Some question for MBT but he's a potential free agent. He's also turning 37 in July. Maybe we see him back in the USFL.

[blue_gold_84]

I have to imagine the Elks will ask Fajardo to restructure.

Could be a good situation for him, IMO: mentor and backup.

[Blue In BC]

I have to imagine the Elks will ask Fajardo to restructure.

Could be a good situation for him, IMO: mentor and backup.

Seems logical. As mentioned earlier his options are limited. I don't know that he's prepared to retire but the same money elsewhere might be more attractive? Going to a team that looks to have a better chance getting to the play offs etc. While Edmonton may take a giant leap upwards, other teams would be ranked higher.

I guess we'll see how this shakes out.

[Stats Junkie]

I have to imagine the Elks will ask Fajardo to restructure.

Could be a good situation for him, IMO: mentor and backup.

Last Night

#Elks GM Ed Hervey joined @BrendenEscott tonight on @CHED880 Inside Sports about the trade for QB Cody Fajardo.

Hervey says Fajardo fits what he's looking for which is veteran depth behind Tre Ford. He now gets a head start in negotiating what he hopes is a new deal for Fajardo.

This Morning

Further to last night's comments. Hervey says Fajardo understands the situation he's coming to. He's the #2 QB.  He's coming in to compete and support Ford who is QB1. Fajardo has already reached out to Ford.

A new deal between the #Elks and Fajardo should be able to take place soon. #CFL

[Stats Junkie]

The stadium in Hamilton will be getting a new name in 2025. The 10 year deal with Tim Horton's will expire at the end of the month.

https://www.ticats.ca/2024/12/18/hamiltons-stadium-will-have-a-new-name/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Seems logical. As mentioned earlier his options are limited. I don't know that he's prepared to retire but the same money elsewhere might be more attractive? Going to a team that looks to have a better chance getting to the play offs etc. While Edmonton may take a giant leap upwards, other teams would be ranked higher.

I guess we'll see how this shakes out.

I don't see a smooth transition to a backup role for Fajardo, nor do I think he will accept it.  If Zach retired tomorrow he'd be the first QB I'd call in to replace him.

[dd]

I agree with the post that Fajardo was front runner for league MOP until his hamstring injury. He was lighting it up. Sure, Alexander won 4 games, but big deal, Montreals offense was far better with CF in at Qb than DA. And ya, he lost to Toronto, but so did we and he looked alot better than our offense , not even close.

I can see them having an open camp and best player starts and retaining CF as a backup, even with the $200k bonus. I hate when teams get rid of players for roster bonus's, to me its under handed. Don't structure the contract that way if you have no intention of retaining the player. I hope Montreal gets what it deserves, Alexander lays and egg and MBT does the same, and Edmonton goes to the west final!!

[ichabod_crane]

Seems logical. As mentioned earlier his options are limited. I don't know that he's prepared to retire but the same money elsewhere might be more attractive? Going to a team that looks to have a better chance getting to the play offs etc. While Edmonton may take a giant leap upwards, other teams would be ranked higher.

I guess we'll see how this shakes out.

Who would want Fajardo as a starter though for next season though? Only team I can see is maybe Hamilton if they are unsure to stick with a rejuvenated Bo Levi. Everyone else pretty much set with starters. Can't see him going back to Sask with the bridges he burned there even for a good backup spot. If he'd accept what Strevler got last season in FA, then welcome to Bomber land and we have a legitimate backup and someone who could be a starter for a few seasons after this coming season when everyone thinks Collaros might hang them up (a carrot they could dangle to him). He is going to have to lower his expectations if he goes to free agency as it's a backup job this season it appears to me AND as well Edmonton WILL cut him if he does not renegotiate his salary footprint. Take a one year deal as the backup (and maybe good chance of getting in several games with some older starters via injuries) and then see what the landscape looks like the following season is my advice to Fajardo as ALWAYS some turnover in the CFL. He could be a starter again by 2026.

Dancing Danny Machacho in Montreal is taking a big risk as the new QB starter does not have much a resume really. Even less than Rourke in BC who I think should bounce back next season with his ego soothed hopefully.  Bucky has some locker room issues to fix up in BC though, but with Adams gone now they know it's Rourke or bust!

Really depends on how much meddling the owner is doing....never a good thing for any team to let the owner have too much control of football operations unless they TRULY have experience in the sport.  Jerry Jones of Dallas got lucky somewhat when he first bought the Cowboys and brought in a very accomplished coach right away, but since the late 90's Dallas has done zip and Jerry is still there as owner and GM! He needs to fire himself at this point as GM!  

[Blue In BC]

Who would want Fajardo as a starter though for next season though? Only team I can see is maybe Hamilton if they are unsure to stick with a rejuvenated Bo Levi. Everyone else pretty much set with starters. Can't see him going back to Sask with the bridges he burned there even for a good backup spot. If he'd accept what Strevler got last season in FA, then welcome to Bomber land and we have a legitimate backup and someone who could be a starter for a few seasons after this coming season when everyone thinks Collaros might hang them up (a carrot they could dangle to him). He is going to have to lower his expectations if he goes to free agency as it's a backup job this season it appears to me AND as well Edmonton WILL cut him if he does not renegotiate his salary footprint. Take a one year deal as the backup (and maybe good chance of getting in several games with some older starters via injuries) and then see what the landscape looks like the following season is my advice to Fajardo as ALWAYS some turnover in the CFL. He could be a starter again by 2026.

Dancing Danny Machacho in Montreal is taking a big risk as the new QB starter does not have much a resume really. Even less than Rourke in BC who I think should bounce back next season with his ego soothed hopefully.  Bucky has some locker room issues to fix up in BC though, but with Adams gone now they know it's Rourke or bust!

Really depends on how much meddling the owner is doing....never a good thing for any team to let the owner have too much control of football operations unless they TRULY have experience in the sport.  Jerry Jones of Dallas got lucky somewhat when he first bought the Cowboys and brought in a very accomplished coach right away, but since the late 90's Dallas has done zip and Jerry is still there as owner and GM! He needs to fire himself at this point as GM!  

I don't think any team will want him as a starter in 2025. But his salary at the moment also means #2 is not yet a real option. I'm just pointing out that if he has to take a big cut he may as well go to free agency and see what happens. If his best offer is $200K ( just spit balling ), the choice of a team may come into play.

Edmonton isn't going to be many players 1st option IMO unless they offer more money than elsewhere. It seems somewhat obvious that he could have taken that cut and stayed in Montreal.

Montreal, Toronto, BC, Sask and Calgary would not seem to be in the running. As I've said, I'm not sure if he wants to end up in Edmonton. That doesn't leave many choices.

Winnipeg has a demand for an experienced # 2 but Collaros SMS already makes an expensive QB room.

We'll see what happens with BLM, Masoli and MBT that could still be moving elsewhere and / or retiring?

[Ridermania]

BC Lions have re-signed Betts to a two year contract.

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/bc-lions-re-sign-standout-dl-mathieu-betts-on-two-year-deal-1.2222658

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I don't think any team will want him as a starter in 2025. But his salary at the moment also means #2 is not yet a real option. I'm just pointing out that if he has to take a big cut he may as well go to free agency and see what happens. If his best offer is $200K ( just spit balling ), the choice of a team may come into play.

Edmonton isn't going to be many players 1st option IMO unless they offer more money than elsewhere. It seems somewhat obvious that he could have taken that cut and stayed in Montreal.

Montreal, Toronto, BC, Sask and Calgary would not seem to be in the running. As I've said, I'm not sure if he wants to end up in Edmonton. That doesn't leave many choices.

Winnipeg has a demand for an experienced # 2 but Collaros SMS already makes an expensive QB room.

We'll see what happens with BLM, Masoli and MBT that could still be moving elsewhere and / or retiring?

Rumour has it Sask. will go hard after Maier as their backup and possible future, leaving the Bombers with the choice of Masoli, Shiltz and maybe Arbuckle as experienced backups. I'd be happy with either, but not sure the Bombers are interested in the concept at all.