Here are the quarterback options for the Roughriders in 2025

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The Saskatchewan Roughriders need to sign a starting quarterback for the 2025 CFL season.

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With last year’s starter Trevor Harris currently without a contract, it’s a roster move that’s at the top of their things to do this off-season. With second-stringer Shea Patterson also set to hit free agency in February if he remains unsigned, the Riders might also need a backup.

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Vernon Adams Jr., who is now with the Calgary Stampeders, and Davis Alexander, who extended with the Montreal Alouettes, are no longer options for the Roughriders, who are the only team beside the Edmonton Elks to not have a bona fide QB1 signed for next season.

With plenty of options out there, here are some names who the Roughriders could target this off-season:

Trevor Harris

Despite missing six games last year, Harris was named a West Division all-star thanks in large part to his play in the second half of the season where he was among the league’s most efficient quarterbacks.

Signing Harris for a third season with the Roughriders would be the most logical thing to do.

Note: On Friday, Harris signed a one-year extension with Saskatchewan.

Tre Ford

If the Riders want to make a splash this off-season, they could lure Ford away from Edmonton and make him the starter for 2025 or even the heir apparent if they also brought back Harris.

The 26-year-old dual threat is poised for a larger role in his fourth season in the league but might be comfortable staying in Edmonton with new head coach Mark Kilam.

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Jake Maier

This move might make sense for the Green and White considering Roughriders offensive coordinator Marc Mueller worked with Maier in Calgary for three seasons.

If the Riders were to sign Maier, many would want it to be in a backup role. However, he’s among the most experienced quarterbacks set to become a free agent this off-season and clearly needs a fresh start after how last season went down in Calgary.

Shea Patterson

Along with retaining Harris, re-signing Patterson as the backup would be a logical move for the Roughriders.

The 27-year-old got his first six CFL starts last year while Harris was injured and showed some playmaking ability. However, the Riders didn’t trust him to run short yardage late in the season and that could be an issue if the team wants a backup quarterback to handle that.

Cameron Dukes

A dual threat quarterback who has experience is Dukes, who was Toronto’s starter while Chad Kelly was suspended for the start of last season.

Signing the 26-year-old Dukes could be a smart move for the Riders if they think he can evolve into a franchise guy.

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Dustin Crum

After Jeremiah Masoli got hurt in 2023, Crum came off the bench in Ottawa and made a name for himself right away.

While he’s not the most prolific passer, his running ability mixed with his experience over the past two years in Ottawa could make him a good backup in Saskatchewan.

Cody Fajardo

While Fajardo is still under contract in Montreal, it appears he will either have to take a pay cut or move elsewhere in 2025 after the Alouettes hitched their wagon to Alexander.

And while it would be strange to imagine Fajardo being back in Saskatchewan after how things ended in 2022, he’s among the most experienced quarterbacks who could be available this off-season.

Nick Arbuckle

No one expected Arbuckle to be on this list a year ago but after his performance in the Grey Cup, there will likely be a few teams calling the 31-year-old to serve as a veteran backup.

However, if the Riders want the backup to handle short yardage, this signing wouldn’t make sense.

Jeremiah Masoli

With Dru Brown in Ottawa, Masoli doesn’t have a clear path to playing time for the Redblacks so he might be looking for a new home in 2025. The 36-year-old started a handful of games last year and might be forced into a backup role again this season. However, he’s still capable of starting anywhere too.

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McLeod Bethel-Thompson

The veteran Bethel-Thompson is a bit of a wild card and it’s hard to say what his future holds after a strange year in Edmonton.

Chris Streveler, Matt Shiltz, Tommy Stevens, Dakota Prukop, Caleb Evans, Dominque Davis

These six aren’t necessarily the next starting quarterbacks in the CFL but they all have experience and are all capable of handling short yardage.

tshire@postmedia.com

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