We need a QB for the be future and a good backup!

[BLUEBOMBER]

I think Zach plays another year and during that year, the BB better trade for a quality starting QB if one becomes available and have another backup QB in the cards. Unfortunately not that many QBs are available in the CFL since it's so small.

[dd]

No way we can go into next year with the same Qb room or even the same OC, changes are coming, they have to, we're at the bottom of the league offensively, nobody is happy with that

[theaardvark]

Zach was smart to re-up for next year before this season began, now that the cards are on the table Walters can see it's not a good deal to pay him over $400k next season.  Not sure Zach will back off on that contract as they're unlikely to cut him if he doesn't, but could get litigious if he holds them to the terms of the contract they signed. My fear is they honour the contract and they roll into next season with the same QB room, a year older and a year slower.

He can be cut at any time after the season.  We are only on the hook for the guaranteed money, which is probably $100k to 150k...

[DM83]

Any contending team with an O line trades for Zac. Given. Time Zac is a surgeon.
Next is Bo  in Hamilton, third is Fajardo.
bc like Winnipeg is paying the wrong guys.they have brought in all stars at O line and let them walk. Then same with their receivers. Who they got?
All others are progressing, but.....
Sask with Harris is set, Hammy with Bo  = grey cup

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

He can be cut at any time after the season.  We are only on the hook for the guaranteed money, which is probably $100k to 150k...

Do you think the Mafia would actually do that?  I'd think they'd use the off-season to negotiate and it would be resolved in some other way that wouldn't embarrass either party. Heading into a new season without an identifiable starter is a really bad idea. 

[Jesse]

A lot of speculation on Zach's contract.

We know he got extended for a year. We don't know what the new money is. We don't know if any of it is guaranteed.

[TecnoGenius]

We know he got extended for a year. We don't know what the new money is. We don't know if any of it is guaranteed.

I thought when it was announced there were numbers posted?  I thought we were giving him a bit of a bump ($50k)?  And he'll certainly get a retention/roster bonus, too.

[Jesse]

I thought when it was announced there were numbers posted?  I thought we were giving him a bit of a bump ($50k)?  And he'll certainly get a retention/roster bonus, too.

I certainly never saw anything.

[TecnoGenius]

I certainly never saw anything.

Ya, I guess it was all just guesses.  I found & re-read the original thread:
https://forums.bluebombers.com/index.php?topic=56416.0

Not many people think he took a pay cut (why would he?).  My guess is still he's at par with '25 salary ($600~), or got an "inflation bump" to $650.  But who knows.  I also don't think he'll restructure lower because all the losing is only about 15% his fault (IMHO).

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ya, I guess it was all just guesses.  I found & re-read the original thread:
https://forums.bluebombers.com/index.php?topic=56416.0

Not many people think he took a pay cut (why would he?).  My guess is still he's at par with '25 salary ($600~), or got an "inflation bump" to $650.  But who knows.  I also don't think he'll restructure lower because all the losing is only about 15% his fault (IMHO).

Zach might be a tough negotiator when it comes to salary, from his point, why should he take a discount in pay when he puts his body and future health on the line every game?  Is it his fault the team has let the quality of players drop off over the last 5 years?

"Is the stadium not full Augustus, does the wine not flow?"  Wade would look precisely like a Roman Emperor if you put him in a toga. Anyone good with AI?

[Waffler]

The question is what is he worth on the open market. No one else would be paying him near $600k.

Bo Levi took a pay cut in Hamilton from 522k to 361k in 2024. We are gonna pay Zach twice that? We could really use the money elsewhere.

[Blue In BC]

He can be cut at any time after the season.  We are only on the hook for the guaranteed money, which is probably $100k to 150k...

I'd think any guaranteed money has to have some sort of contingency to passing a medical? If he doesn't play again in 2025 that will be question.

If he ends up as a medical problem that puts him on the 6 game IR to start the season ( or longer ) does that eliminate the guaranteed money issue from the SMS? He'll be getting the money in this circumstance and it's not an advance payment just a guarantee.. It's not a signing bonus.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The question is what is he worth on the open market. No one else would be paying him near $600k.

Bo Levi took a pay cut in Hamilton from 522k to 361k in 2024. We are gonna pay Zach twice that? We could really use the money elsewhere.

I'd be surprised if BLM hasn't upped his salary after last year's recovery, he must be back in the $500k range at least.

[Blue In BC]

I'd be surprised if BLM hasn't upped his salary after last year's recovery, he must be back in the $500k range at least.

You can't re-negotiate a contract every time you have a string of good games, or downwards after a string of bad games. There is a tipping point in either direction where an organization may do something, but it's complicated.

He was going into the season as a player that could have been released or ear marked as a # 2 QB.

[theaardvark]

I'm not saying we should cut him regardless of his finishing the season or his ability to show up for camp next year.

Getting another season out of him at the expense of signing a replacement for the next 10 years and hoping we find someone in the next year that can be the next 10 years guy does not seem like a judicious use of roster management.  We lost out on Dru making that decision, but Zach was younger and hadn't missed the games he has this year, so that borderline decision was justified.

IF there is no potential starter available (FA or trade), of course you do not cut a servicable Zach.

But, if a potential starter is available, we know they will not come here with Zach on the roster as starter (getting starters pay).  If Zach wants to mentor the new guy at a reduced salary, and hold a clipboard ready to come in just in case, fantastic.  But is he wants his full current contract, we cannot afford a new guy.

So that's where the decision comes in.  It is made for us if there are no potentials available.  But if there are, we have to make the fish or cut bait decision.

Either way, I really can't see Streveler on the QB depth chart next year, but I do hope he's still here in another capacity.

Question.  If we have to pay Zach $SMS money next year, but he converts to being a coach, does that $SMS transfer to FO?