Lions at Riders GDT Sat 530PM CT

[ModAdmin]

Adams Jr. was on his way to be a serious contender for MOP in 2024.  No wonder he was unhappy about being benched when he was performing well.  I understand the thought that Rourke could replicate his last season with the Lions but that proved to be wrong.

The question is, is Rourke the future in BC because it seems pretty clear Adams Jr. won't be returning to the Lions unless he goes into the 2025 season as the No. 1 guy.  And there is no guarantee he would be willing to re-sign in any event given his comments about being benched this season because of the failed experiment with Rourke.

The Lions have some soul-searching to do.

[Blue In BC]

Adams Jr. was on his way to be a serious contender for MOP in 2024.  No wonder he was unhappy about being benched when he was performing well.  I understand the thought that Rourke could replicate his last season with the Lions but that proved to be wrong.

The question is, is Rourke the future in BC because it seems pretty clear Adams Jr. won't be returning to the Lions unless he goes into the 2025 season as the No. 1 guy.  And there is no guarantee he would be willing to re-sign in any event given his comments about being benched this season because of the failed experiment with Rourke.

The Lions have some soul-searching to do.

It's quite the problem.  Note that Adams is not a free agent so getting him to return is not part of the equation if that's what they choose.

The deal they signed Rourke to is a problem even if he had played well which he didn't.

Even in Vancouver they aren't sure what's going to happen. Rourke may be the long term solution but may not be the solution in 2025.

[blue_gold_84]

Adams Jr. was on his way to be a serious contender for MOP in 2024.  No wonder he was unhappy about being benched when he was performing well.  I understand the thought that Rourke could replicate his last season with the Lions but that proved to be wrong.

The question is, is Rourke the future in BC because it seems pretty clear Adams Jr. won't be returning to the Lions unless he goes into the 2025 season as the No. 1 guy.  And there is no guarantee he would be willing to re-sign in any event given his comments about being benched this season because of the failed experiment with Rourke.

The Lions have some soul-searching to do.

What a failure of a season for them. Poor management and coaching cost them dearly.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

What a failure of a season for them. Poor management and coaching cost them dearly.

It's quite the problem.  Note that Adams is not a free agent so getting him to return is not part of the equation if that's what they choose.

The deal they signed Rourke to is a problem even if he had played well which he didn't.

Even in Vancouver they aren't sure what's going to happen. Rourke may be the long term solution but may not be the solution in 2025.

It will be an interesting off-season for BC to sort everything out, I don't know how much heat Rick Campbell will take or if he deserves any of it, still believe it was the owner that threw a spanner into the works and messed everything up. As for Rourke he'll be fine next season, but they need to get VA out of the room and purge players with bad attitudes that are dividing the team into different camps.

[blue_gold_84]

It will be an interesting off-season for BC to sort everything out, I don't know how much heat Rick Campbell will take or if he deserves any of it, still believe it was the owner that threw a spanner into the works and messed everything up. As for Rourke he'll be fine next season, but they need to get VA out of the room and purge players with bad attitudes that are dividing the team into different camps.

Rick Campbell's HC and co-GM, so I'd say he shoulders a pretty ample share of the blame. The guy's too tepid, IMO.

[ModAdmin]

It's quite the problem.  Note that Adams is not a free agent so getting him to return is not part of the equation if that's what they choose.

The deal they signed Rourke to is a problem even if he had played well which he didn't.

Even in Vancouver they aren't sure what's going to happen. Rourke may be the long term solution but may not be the solution in 2025.

I incorrectly assumed he was a free agent at the end of this season.  I still doubt Adams Jr. wants to play for the Lions though and would not at all be surprised if he wants to be traded or even released just based on his recent comments.  I have no doubt at lease a couple of teams would be interested in signing him.

[Blue In BC]

I incorrectly assumed he was a free agent at the end of this season.  I still doubt Adams Jr. wants to play for the Lions though and would not at all be surprised if he wants to be traded or even released just based on his recent comments.  I have no doubt at lease a couple of teams would be interested in signing him.

Teams will be interested in acquiring Adams.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Teams will be interested in acquiring Adams.

Few teams looking for a starter, maybe Calgary? I think he's earning around $350k this season, he might have to drop that number and start over again like Trevor Harris has if he wants more options.

[Blue In BC]

Few teams looking for a starter, maybe Calgary? I think he's earning around $350k this season, he might have to drop that number and start over again like Trevor Harris has if he wants more options.

There is going to be a domino effect happening here. Both Ford and MBT may be moving on. Adams ranks above both but timing in making a trade or a free agency acquisition come into play. What a team has to give up in talent is an issue. IMO the Lions will not want Adams to land on a west division team.

That doesn't stop them so Calgary and Edmonton are in play. Depending on how Harris does in the playoffs is a factor and he turns 39 during TC 2025. If he wins the Grey Cup he might retire. If he tanks the WDF ( Bomber plan ) he may not be asked back to TC next year. I don't remember his SMS compared to Adams.

Same issue for BLM in Hamilton except he's already out of the play offs. He turns 35 before TC.

[Waffler]

Few teams looking for a starter, maybe Calgary? I think he's earning around $350k this season, he might have to drop that number and start over again like Trevor Harris has if he wants more options.

And in the understatement of the year...'I believe we will be over': B.C. Lions admit to exceeding CFL salary cap in 2024

https://3downnation.com/2024/11/06/i-believe-we-will-be-over-b-c-lions-admit-to-exceeding-cfl-salary-cap-in-2024/

Adams is scheduled to make $500k next year according to this.

[dd]

Wouldn't want him on my team, he's too weak, says a lot of things that should not be said, which just adds to the dissension building up in the BC locker room.  If Vern wants to be the leader of a football team, he needs to demonstrate he can win big games when it counts and maintain an even keel win or lose, that's what leaders do.

Agree 100%, but I'd rather have VAJ leading me than immature Rourke and sure as heck better than Jake Maier.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

And in the understatement of the year...'I believe we will be over': B.C. Lions admit to exceeding CFL salary cap in 2024

https://3downnation.com/2024/11/06/i-believe-we-will-be-over-b-c-lions-admit-to-exceeding-cfl-salary-cap-in-2024/

Adams is scheduled to make $500k next year according to this.

That contract will have to be re-negotiated, nobodies paying him that. If he could have beat Sask. he may have changed a few minds, but as it is, it's the same old story.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

There is going to be a domino effect happening here. Both Ford and MBT may be moving on. Adams ranks above both but timing in making a trade or a free agency acquisition come into play. What a team has to give up in talent is an issue. IMO the Lions will not want Adams to land on a west division team.

That doesn't stop them so Calgary and Edmonton are in play. Depending on how Harris does in the playoffs is a factor and he turns 39 during TC 2025. If he wins the Grey Cup he might retire. If he tanks the WDF ( Bomber plan ) he may not be asked back to TC next year. I don't remember his SMS compared to Adams.

Same issue for BLM in Hamilton except he's already out of the play offs. He turns 35 before TC.

With an organizational shakeup under way I can't see the Elks going into the off-season not knowing exactly who their QB is going to be for team marketing purposes.  If it's not Ford it will be MBT, if it's not MBT, they may trade for Adams asap. They need a commitment.

[Jesse]

That contract will have to be re-negotiated, nobodies paying him that. If he could have beat Sask. he may have changed a few minds, but as it is, it's the same old story.

Few teams looking for a starter, maybe Calgary? I think he's earning around $350k this season, he might have to drop that number and start over again like Trevor Harris has if he wants more options.

I don't agree with your analysis of the situation at all.

Edmonton and Calgary and definitely looking for upgrades. They have missed the play-offs and their attendance is tanking. Hamilton benched Bo Levi this year and that relationship seems a little frayed at best. Sask could be looking for a longer term solution at QB.

As to his salary, 3down lists him at 400k, and even 500k won't even out him in the top half of starting QB salaries. I think your perception is a little skewed.

[Blue In BC]

I don't agree with your analysis of the situation at all.

Edmonton and Calgary and definitely looking for upgrades. They have missed the play-offs and their attendance is tanking. Hamilton benched Bo Levi this year and that relationship seems a little frayed at best. Sask could be looking for a longer term solution at QB.

As to his salary, 3down lists him at 400k, and even 500k won't even out him in the top half of starting QB salaries. I think your perception is a little skewed.

Trade talks will be underway soon. Probably start before the end of the year, right after decisions on coaching are made. That's the 1st step.

With the increase in Adams salary to $500K in 2025, they may seek permission to re-negotiate a more team friendly deal. It's one thing to pay that to a free agent but giving up assets to do that is not as good an option.

It's an unusual situation in that the Lions can't keep both QB's.