2025 SMS increase

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

There are some and that was posted during last season. The names escape me at the moment but more come and go than stick. It's only 45 players and some are still playing in college.

Teams shuffle through more than that in mini camps and TC.

I know QB Eric Barriere was on their neg. list last year, not sure if every Import they wish to sign in the future comes in that way or not.

[TecnoGenius]

I disagree strongly. It's not the players that have been in the CFL for extended times or are earning high salaries that are leaving.

For the Bombers in recent years it's been Ford, Ayers and O. Wilson.  Two of which came back and Wilson might yet be back.

That's precisely my point.  You take 5-10 guys who are tempted purely by money to try other leagues (or retire) and those are the guys you dole the $400k out to.  For some it may be enough to retain them.  Obviously some will take the NFL shot if they feel they have a legit chance (I'd say none of the above do!), but maybe we can make it so some won't even bother?  Especially when it comes to the low-paying leagues.

Also guys like Biggie (IIRC), Strevie, or Rourke who took >1 year in the NFL to decide to come back.  Ya, maybe the hopefuls go down for a few months, but if there's extra money up here maybe they come back sooner -- like the labor-day returnees, rather than languishing on PRs.  (Ya, Strevie ended up getting his magic "pension", but that's by far the rare exception.)

Ya, so we're only talking about maybe $40-80k extra per that kind of player, but at the margin it may affect something.  My goal would be to have the CFL allow a promising AR player earn more playing here than as a languishing PR guy in the NFL.

[Blue In BC]

That's precisely my point.  You take 5-10 guys who are tempted purely by money to try other leagues (or retire) and those are the guys you dole the $400k out to.  For some it may be enough to retain them.  Obviously some will take the NFL shot if they feel they have a legit chance (I'd say none of the above do!), but maybe we can make it so some won't even bother?  Especially when it comes to the low-paying leagues.

Also guys like Biggie (IIRC), Strevie, or Rourke who took >1 year in the NFL to decide to come back.  Ya, maybe the hopefuls go down for a few months, but if there's extra money up here maybe they come back sooner -- like the labor-day returnees, rather than languishing on PRs.  (Ya, Strevie ended up getting his magic "pension", but that's by far the rare exception.)

Ya, so we're only talking about maybe $40-80k extra per that kind of player, but at the margin it may affect something.  My goal would be to have the CFL allow a promising AR player earn more playing here than as a languishing PR guy in the NFL.

You're dreaming. If a player wants or thinks he can get an NFL deal, even a PR deal, he's gone.  What team has ever had 5 - 10 players that might skip to the NFL? So far in 2025 we've only seen about 10 CFL players from across the CFL get any sort of NFL futures deal. Of those how many will be back before LD this season?

At what point would you give that player and extension with that large an increase when the NFL option allows him to leave anyway?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

You're dreaming. If a player wants or thinks he can get an NFL deal, even a PR deal, he's gone.  What team has ever had 5 - 10 players that might skip to the NFL? So far in 2025 we've only seen about 10 CFL players from across the CFL get any sort of NFL futures deal. Of those how many will be back before LD this season?

At what point would you give that player and extension with that large an increase when the NFL option allows him to leave anyway?

IMO not enough CFL players get legitimate NFL tryouts each season to make it worthwhile offering the NFL option as a feature of all contracts.  I'm fine if 20 players with legitimate chances of getting NFL offers never come North, if we never knew 'em, we won't miss 'em.  I couldn't name 3 current NFL stars and I don't really care.

The CFL has to learn to stand on it's own feet and find a comfortable salary they can offer ELC American players that make it an appealing option to continue their football career after the NFL has already ignored or rejected them.  CFL scouts should stop promoting the chance to build up game film and "maybe" earn another shot as a way to trick them into signing. Promote the league on it's own merits, of which there are many.

[Blue In BC]

IMO not enough CFL players get legitimate NFL tryouts each season to make it worthwhile offering the NFL option as a feature of all contracts.  I'm fine if 20 players with legitimate chances of getting NFL offers never come North, if we never knew 'em, we won't miss 'em.  I couldn't name 3 current NFL stars and I don't even care.

The CFL has to learn to stand on it's own feet and find a comfortable salary they can offer ELC American players that make it an appealing option to continue their football career after the NFL has already ignored or rejected them.  CFL scouts should stop promoting the chance to build up game film and "maybe" earn another shot as a way to trick them into signing. Promote the league on it's own merits, of which there are many.

Yeah, I've never been a fan of the NFL option making any sense. Although the CFL doesn't lose many ELC players after their 1st or even 2nd season, it just adds uncertainty.

Ford only played 1 real game as a starter in 2022 then skipped the 2023 season trying to land an NFL deal. He suit up for 12 games in 2022.  I understand that but then we really only got 2024 as a full season as a starter.

It's more problematic when we lose a Canadian for a year on a 3 year ELC. That's a supply demand issue. In that sense the option year issue is worse than for an import. The flip side is that CFL contracts are not guaranteed.

Unfortunately the option year is part of the CFLPA deal at the moment.

So back to the issue with another $400K for 2025. The total SMS is the total regardless of the new number. Whatever increase that happens at the bottom this year has no impact on what happens at the top of the roster. The SMS for 2026 will still include the $400K.

Has anyone heard what the CFLPA had in mind with extra money when they built in revenue sharing? It's still my view they looked to increase from the bottom up. In theory the PR money could be increased but is that necessary and does it create an actual benefit to the teams? I'd rather add 2 more players than increase the PR money.

[theaardvark]

The NFL option is the only way to get players to sign multi year deals.  The number of players that we lose each year is statistically insignificant, but the option is huge for the rest of players signing multi year deals.

Sure, we lose a Wilson now and then, or an Alford.  But them being in the NFL means CFL mentions as well.  Which then puts our league on the map for both new viewers and new recruits.

Its not like a player can bail mid season, or in TC.  There is a very simple window of opportunity, and you have to get signed to stay down there.  Reasonable for all parties.

For many of these players, especially on ELC's, the opportunity to showcase their talents in the CFL is worth more than what they are getting paid.  Do you think Streveler gets enough games in the NFL for a pension without his stint in the CFL?

[Blue In BC]

The NFL option is the only way to get players to sign multi year deals.  The number of players that we lose each year is statistically insignificant, but the option is huge for the rest of players signing multi year deals.

Sure, we lose a Wilson now and then, or an Alford.  But them being in the NFL means CFL mentions as well.  Which then puts our league on the map for both new viewers and new recruits.

Its not like a player can bail mid season, or in TC.  There is a very simple window of opportunity, and you have to get signed to stay down there.  Reasonable for all parties.

For many of these players, especially on ELC's, the opportunity to showcase their talents in the CFL is worth more than what they are getting paid.  Do you think Streveler gets enough games in the NFL for a pension without his stint in the CFL?

No it's not. We didn't have the option deal for a longer time than we've have had it. There was no issue getting players. As mentioned, these players would be sitting out the season if not coming to the CFL. The supply of imports is extensive.

Even worse is the veteran player ability to sign only 1 year deals.  That creates turnover and SMS dilemma each off season.

Ayers, Bonds and Wilson all had previous NFL and / or USFL experience. Many CFL rookies have had that happen.  There are hundreds of former players just like that, that will spend this season on the coach and never play again.

The NFL will draft about 250 new players this season pushing some to the CFL, USFL or oblivion. There about that many of more draft eligible that don't even get drafted that might get a TC look before exiting.

Bottom line. No shortage of other players to bring to TC.

[theaardvark]

But the *best* might chase the dream in NFL waiting for even a PR spot, and thinking they are signing a 2 or 3 year commmitment in the CFL at ELC and giving up 1 or 2 years of NFL potential might keep them south a year or two more.

As to vets signing one year deals, that's on the GM's.  The league has increased the bargaining for GM's to get longer deals signed with the introduction of guaranteed money in subsequent years for players re-signing, which makes mutli year contracts semi-guaranteed.  No where near what the NHL deals are, and the potential for cap issues if you need to move on (like the front office cap) increases, so only durable players with known ability will get some of the small amount of potential guarantees.

Yes, its not optimal, but every player signing an ELC would LOVE to be able to take advantage of the NFL window, and as fans, we should LOVE them to have such a great season that they do.  Pokey gave us an amazing season for peanuts, more than replacing Lawler/Schoen on the roster for a fraction of the cost, and has paved the way for the next Pokey to do the same, or to return if he doesn't stick down south.

[dd]

I really can't believe Streveller got a shot at the NFL, but he did, and it proved what we already know--he's strictly a short yardage/beast run-type Qb only, and can't consistently pass to save his soul. We just re-signed him to do exactly that. He is in no way our #2 Qb, he's proven that over the last 5 years, he isn't all of a sudden going to 'get it', and all of a sudden develop a passing arm, he never had one to begin with.

[theaardvark]

With all the arms in camp, maybe we keep him on the roster as FB?  Probably paying him in that range anyway.

[Blue In BC]

With all the arms in camp, maybe we keep him on the roster as FB?  Probably paying him in that range anyway.

No. No and no.  He's never been used as a blocker and he would take one spot as a DI. He wouldn't be as useful as our Seal in 2023 and we saw how quickly that ended.

[theaardvark]

No. No and no.  He's never been used as a blocker and he would take one spot as a DI. He wouldn't be as useful as our Seal in 2023 and we saw how quickly that ended.

He was utilized in 2 QB sets.  Rather than calling him FB, how about SB?  There are only 3 AR QB spots, we could keep Paterson and Wilson on the AR for development, and use Strevy in SY like Litre...

I know there is no way that happens, if Strevy is on the roster after training camp, then one of Wilson or Patterson is PR/IR. 

Wondering if they cut Dolegala now, or wait for the end of camp to have another arm around... does Buck pick up Dolegala?  He didn't put him in for the injured Zach, not sure why he was on the roster...

[dd]

I don't think they cut anyone right now, they go to camp and see how everything plays out. Injuries happen and everything will play out.

[DM83]

All very exciting.

Weird. Strv has a knee held on by one connective tissue and they sign him.
Yet others like Andrew Harris or Biggie are basically ignored.  How is that?

Now I like Strev, but I think, that knee will not be ready anytime soon. So, when he comes for the physical, they cut him then?  No he would still be on the inj list would he not? He has to be signed to get medical coverage?

Anyway, Dollengia Dolegala, seems to be the odd man out, If we sign Patterson.

[Blue In BC]

He was utilized in 2 QB sets.  Rather than calling him FB, how about SB?  There are only 3 AR QB spots, we could keep Paterson and Wilson on the AR for development, and use Strevy in SY like Litre...

I know there is no way that happens, if Strevy is on the roster after training camp, then one of Wilson or Patterson is PR/IR. 

Wondering if they cut Dolegala now, or wait for the end of camp to have another arm around... does Buck pick up Dolegala?  He didn't put him in for the injured Zach, not sure why he was on the roster...

Big difference if they use him in 2 QB sets which is allowed. Making him a FB that is not on the roster as a Qb takes a spot from a DI. Not many teams have used the 2 QB idea often or well. It's more of an emergency when a receiver is hurt.

Streveler is not exactly a good receiver and putting him in as a QB with Collaros going out wide is not effective either.