1st & 10 | The Complete Blue Bombers QB Picture

[markf]

I don't think they think in such black and white terms as "not good enough to play QB in a game". Sometimes you may have to keep a QB on the roster that your not thrilled with in terms of getting real game reps, because there is not much better available, or the available options are too expensive.

Thanks....Very Good explanation.  Makes sense.

 I

[dd]

Wilson is exactly = to Dom Davis, move on already

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I don't think they think in such black and white terms as "not good enough to play QB in a game". They assess their skills as a potential starter, and my guess is that if Zach is currently a B to B+, and Strev was a C, then Wilson was grading out as a C-. Not great. But not necessarily worse than any other QB on the planet either. Plus factor in that he already knows the offence to some extent, he's good at short yardage, and he may be a high character guy as well. So, before you let him go, you need to find someone who either grades higher right now, or shows the potential to surpass him. In the latter situation, where there is just future potential, my guess is they will keep a QB like that on the PR. In TC, if anyone shows better than Wilson, or a lot more potential that Wilson, Wilson may be cut. But its not a given until they assess the other QBs. And its not a given that whoever is kept instead of Wilson is all that great either, and may not be seen as ready to start in a game either. Sometimes you may have to keep a QB on the roster that your not thrilled with in terms of getting real game reps, because there is not much better available, or the available options are too expensive.

I don't believe for a second they spent any time evaluating QB skills last TC, the pecking order was pre-determined before anyone showed up for TC. Once they decided to re-sign Strev despite his iffy injury status it was a given he was coming in as the #2, which might have been a condition his agent insisted upon in his contract negotiations. 

Many argued at the time this was a mistake as Strev has never shown the ability needed to progress beyond the "Go Go Gadget" QB he's always been. The ample playing time he received in 2025 proved his detractors right.  Valuable game time that could have been used to evaluate the future of the QB position was wasted on a temporary fix and they now find themselves right back where they started, with Zach one year older and that much closer to the end of the line.

[bunker]

I don't believe for a second they spent any time evaluating QB skills last TC, the pecking order was pre-determined before anyone showed up for TC. Once they decided to re-sign Strev despite his iffy injury status it was a given he was coming in as the #2, which might have been a condition his agent insisted upon in his contract negotiations. 

Many argued at the time this was a mistake as Strev has never shown the ability needed to progress beyond the "Go Go Gadget" QB he's always been. The ample playing time he received in 2025 proved his detractors right.  Valuable game time that could have been used to evaluate the future of the QB position was wasted on a temporary fix and they now find themselves right back were they started, with Zach one year older and that much closer to the end of the line.

They were coming off a Grey Cup appearance, and expected to be back in it. They had a veteran team, and were focused on winning "now" in a year the Grey Cup was in Winnipeg. Evaluating developmental QBs like Artopoeus for a few years down the road was not their priority I would guess. I was never wild about bringing Strev back as the #2, but the question is what would you have done differently? I can't recall all the QBs who were available in free agency last off season, but Maier signed for a lot of money, and signing him would have hamstrung as at other areas in the roster. Strev came relatively cheap. Probably an emotional attachment to him also on the part of the bombers, which is not ideal if your goal is to win but still understandable.

[Blueforlife]

Nobody can say with certainty what Wilson is.  He has the tools and doesn't have enough reps for us to evaluate his play.  I was pretty high on him but scaled back my expectations this year when he didn't get reps and threw ducks in practice.  I would prefer we roll the dice on a prospect rather than bringing in a mediocre option.  It's a hard decision, do we groom the next QB slowly to possibly hit a home run or is an average guy with experience a better bridge for us?

I would like a mobile guy with a cannon.  Wilson is that but so few can read a D and avoid turnovers.  A tough spot for us and no easy answers.

It looks like we will bring in a few guys and hope one pops!

[markf]

There really aren't a lot of people who can play quarterback...

It has to be the toughest position in team sports.

Even the NFL has quite a few teams struggling to find a good quarterback. Vikings today their qb had about ten yards passing. Total.

I guess it's trite to say this but....

It's a bit hard to criticize the Bombers for not yet finding someone to take over after Zach retires. And they found Brown, who showed promise.

And We were very lucky to get Zach. Fix the o line... and with Condell.... Things will be good.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

They were coming off a Grey Cup appearance, and expected to be back in it. They had a veteran team, and were focused on winning "now" in a year the Grey Cup was in Winnipeg. Evaluating developmental QBs like Artopoeus for a few years down the road was not their priority I would guess. I was never wild about bringing Strev back as the #2, but the question is what would you have done differently? I can't recall all the QBs who were available in free agency last off season, but Maier signed for a lot of money, and signing him would have hamstrung as at other areas in the roster. Strev came relatively cheap. Probably an emotional attachment to him also on the part of the bombers, which is not ideal if your goal is to win but still understandable.

I really didn't expect them to make an appearance in the GC in Wpg. last season based on the minimal changes made to the roster prior to the season.  The previous 2 seasons showed they were no longer the league's best team, and yet they did little to counteract the the rise of superior teams in the East Division. They did not comprehended the significance of standing pat and last season the West finally caught up with them and shoved them down into 4th place.  So IMO the writing was already on the wall and they should have invested more time exploring multiple QB options until they found something that showed promise.  Don't know how this coming season will go, but have little faith Zach is going to regain his outstanding form of yesteryear, so they might as well explore their QB options thoroughly if they're struggling to win games again.

[Tecno]

The previous 2 seasons showed they were no longer the league's best team, and yet they did little to counteract the the rise of superior teams in the East Division. They did not comprehended the significance of standing pat and last season the West finally caught up with them and shoved them down into 4th place.

Ya, '24 was the year of the East.  And ya, '25 saw the rise of the West.  The latter is far more disturbing in its impact on us.  All 3 W teams that beat us are legit now.  The W is going back to the way it was before '19.

Life in '26 is going to be tough.