The State of Quarterbacks in the CFL: 2025 Preview 🏈

As the 2025 CFL season approaches, it's time to dive into the quarterback landscape of the league. Each team features a blend of seasoned veterans and emerging talents, leading to a diverse ranking based on their abilities, experience, and potential impact on the field. Let's take a closer look at each team's quarterback situation.

1. Hamilton Tiger-Cats 🌟

Projected Starter: Bo Levi Mitchell
Projected Backup: Taylor Powell

Bo Levi Mitchell is gearing up for another exciting season as one of the CFL's premier quarterbacks. Coming off a stellar year where he led the league in key passing statistics and earned a finalist spot for Most Outstanding Player, Mitchell posted an impressive overall grade of 89.5. His late-season performance included 21 big-time throws juxtaposed against just six turnover-worthy plays, reinforcing his reputation as one of the best. Taylor Powell may not appear to be a future franchise QB, but he has demonstrated that he can maintain the offense's pace when called upon.

2. Calgary Stampeders 🔥

Projected Starter: Vernon Adams Jr.
Projected Backup: P.J. Walker

Vernon Adams Jr. was on track for a standout season before an injury sidelined him in Week 9 last year. Averaging nearly 350 passing yards per game, he delivered 28 big-time throws compared to just seven that were deemed risky. Adams is a lethal deep-ball passer and a game-changer; however, his durability remains a significant concern, as he has played more than ten games only twice in his eight-season career. The addition of NFL veteran P.J. Walker can provide additional depth, and if he adjusts to the CFL quickly, he could become a standout backup.

3. Saskatchewan Roughriders 🐎

Projected Starter: Trevor Harris
Projected Backup: Jake Maier

At 39 years old, Trevor Harris still appears to be playing at an elite level. Coming off a season where he earned the highest quarterback grade in the league at 91.6, his ability to diagnose defenses quickly is unmatched. With a remarkable average time to throw of just 2.27 seconds and a high percentage of attempts targeting deeper routes, Harris shows no signs of slowing down. Meanwhile, Jake Maier has transitioned into a backup role after an inconsistent starter stint but carries impressive accuracy, leading the league last season with a 64.5% completion rate.

4. British Columbia Lions 🦁

Projected Starter: Nathan Rourke
Projected Backup: Jeremiah Masoli

While Nathan Rourke’s previous season may have placed the Lions lower in rankings, expectations for a rebound are high. After struggling with a mere 65.7 passing grade last season, Rourke will look to revert to his outstanding 2022 form, where he garnered a league-leading 92.9 overall grade and an impressive 35 touchdowns in just 12 games. Jeremiah Masoli’s return from injury boosted his performance, as he showcased solid play with a 72.8 grade in five games last season.

5. Montreal Alouettes 🎉

Projected Starter: Davis Alexander
Projected Backup: McLeod Bethel-Thompson

The Alouettes are ready to embrace Davis Alexander as their starting quarterback in 2025 after a promising performance in a backup role. With a solid 74.7 passing grade and nine big-time throws in just seven games, Alexander has shown glimpses of his potential. However, the real strength of this quarterback room lies with McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who is arguably the league's top backup. With an outstanding overall grade of 90.4 last season, he can step in without a significant decline in performance should Alexander struggle.

6. Edmonton Elks 🌲

Projected Starter: Tre Ford
Projected Backup: Cody Fajardo

The Elks may rise quickly in the ranks if Tre Ford can put everything together. He showcased his dual-threat capability in 2023, posting an 83.1 rushing grade but struggling with his passing at 67.1. Last season, he flipped the script with an impressive 84.2 passing grade but faced challenges as a runner. If Ford can merge his skills, he has the potential to become one of the league's elite. Cody Fajardo provides reliability as a backup, boasting a stellar adjusted completion rate of 79.3% despite his low average depth of target.

7. Winnipeg Blue Bombers 💣

Projected Starter: Zach Collaros
Projected Backup: Chris Streveler

Zach Collaros led the Blue Bombers to their fifth consecutive Grey Cup appearance, yet his 2024 campaign was his least impressive since joining the team, recording only a 77.5 passing grade. With concerns over consistency, highlighted by 23 risky plays, Collaros’ ability to elevate his performance remains crucial. Chris Streveler is known for his rushing capabilities and can add versatility to the offense, but like many backups, he may struggle to maintain a high level of play should he have to step in as a starter.

8. Ottawa Redblacks 🔴

Projected Starter: Dru Brown
Projected Backup: Dustin Crum

Dru Brown’s introduction as Ottawa's starter had its challenges, culminating in a league-high 28 risky plays. He did finish strong over the final three games with an impressive 90.2 passing rating. If he carries this form into the new season, he could easily outperform these rankings. The backup, Dustin Crum, has a reputation for being a dangerous rushing quarterback, having achieved 942 rushing yards and forcing 48 missed tackles. However, his passing consistency raises questions about long-term viability if Brown encounters difficulties.

9. Toronto Argonauts ⚓️

Projected Starter: Chad Kelly
Projected Backup: Nick Arbuckle

Chad Kelly is a former Most Outstanding Player, and when he’s in form, he ranks among the league's top quarterbacks. However, the uncertainty surrounding his situation casts a shadow over Ottawa's quarterback room. Kelly’s suspension last season and subsequent injury during playoffs raised concerns about his future. His performance dipped significantly in 2024, dropping from a 90.0 grade in 2023 to 81.0 last season. Nick Arbuckle showcased promise during the Grey Cup, yet he has not demonstrated the capacity to perform consistently as a full-time starter.

The dynamics of the CFL's quarterback rooms provide excitement and unpredictability heading into the 2025 season. As teams strive for greater success, the performances of these QBs will be pivotal in their respective campaigns. Here's to an exhilarating season ahead! 🎉