2024/2025 CFL (non-Bomber) Off-Season Thread

[bluto]

Why does BC telegraph their QB move so publicly?

 

I know that if they'd have stayed schtum on the subject that likely we'd have all figured it's most likely that they'd keep Rourke and try to deal Adams Jr... and if they can't make a deal they'd have to chop him.

But going public about it just basically screams at the 3 or so clubs who may be in the market for Adams that BC for sure isn't keeping both so you can either make an offer at our Vernon Fire Sale or just wait for us to drop him so you can attempt to sign him without giving the Lions anything.

Game Theory is not their strong suit.

[ShyGuy]

Ehhhh I would say its not exactly a secret what needs to happen.

Adams CANNOT be on that roster at the start of the season. The Salary Cap won't allow it. The teams that are in on him know there is a possibility they can get him, its just a matter of do you deal with the Lions and provide enough trade capital (read: anything) to get him, or wait until he is cut and then attempt to outbid the other teams.

It is similar to Dru Brown... everyone knew the Bombers weren't going to keep him, but Ottawa gave the Bombers a draft pick to get a window to ensure they were the only ones competing for his services until he became a FA.

I'm not sure what other teams salary cap numbers are like, maybe there is a team that can slide in take the hit on his guarantees in exchange for a draft pick, and then either neogotiate his contract way down or cut him and let the Lions off the hook.

[Fatty Liver]

20 minutes ago, bluto said:

Why does BC telegraph their QB move so publicly?

 

I know that if they'd have stayed schtum on the subject that likely we'd have all figured it's most likely that they'd keep Rourke and try to deal Adams Jr... and if they can't make a deal they'd have to chop him.

But going public about it just basically screams at the 3 or so clubs who may be in the market for Adams that BC for sure isn't keeping both so you can either make an offer at our Vernon Fire Sale or just wait for us to drop him so you can attempt to sign him without giving the Lions anything.

Game Theory is not their strong suit.

Don't see a problem with their strategy, it lets all other teams know the race has begun, the team that signs Adams will be the one that is most proactive, not the most patient.

[JuranBoldenRules]

42 minutes ago, bluto said:

Why does BC telegraph their QB move so publicly?

 

I know that if they'd have stayed schtum on the subject that likely we'd have all figured it's most likely that they'd keep Rourke and try to deal Adams Jr... and if they can't make a deal they'd have to chop him.

But going public about it just basically screams at the 3 or so clubs who may be in the market for Adams that BC for sure isn't keeping both so you can either make an offer at our Vernon Fire Sale or just wait for us to drop him so you can attempt to sign him without giving the Lions anything.

Game Theory is not their strong suit.

What's the hope if you go grim on what your intent is?

Have teams make offers on Rourke too?

36 minutes ago, ShyGuy said:

Ehhhh I would say its not exactly a secret what needs to happen.

Adams CANNOT be on that roster at the start of the season. The Salary Cap won't allow it. The teams that are in on him know there is a possibility they can get him, its just a matter of do you deal with the Lions and provide enough trade capital (read: anything) to get him, or wait until he is cut and then attempt to outbid the other teams.

It is similar to Dru Brown... everyone knew the Bombers weren't going to keep him, but Ottawa gave the Bombers a draft pick to get a window to ensure they were the only ones competing for his services until he became a FA.

I'm not sure what other teams salary cap numbers are like, maybe there is a team that can slide in take the hit on his guarantees in exchange for a draft pick, and then either neogotiate his contract way down or cut him and let the Lions off the hook.

Anyone with their starter heading to free agency can handle that contract just fine.  So right away...Edmonton, Calgary, Sask, Hamilton, Montreal.

[wbbfan]

40 minutes ago, bluto said:

Why does BC telegraph their QB move so publicly?

 

I know that if they'd have stayed schtum on the subject that likely we'd have all figured it's most likely that they'd keep Rourke and try to deal Adams Jr... and if they can't make a deal they'd have to chop him.

But going public about it just basically screams at the 3 or so clubs who may be in the market for Adams that BC for sure isn't keeping both so you can either make an offer at our Vernon Fire Sale or just wait for us to drop him so you can attempt to sign him without giving the Lions anything.

Game Theory is not their strong suit.

I get that, but I don’t think they acted poorly. 
 Every team knew vaj was available. I think what they did, by being direct and early is for the players in free agency. You aren’t coming to a team with a qb controversy. They are going to gain assets dealing him away. They aren’t going to get less because of announcing their move. But they are showing that the new management is decisive and in control. 
 

Qbing in the league is awful right now. You got Alexander as a development guy, maybe mbt as a guy you could win with but who probably can’t carry you to win and vaj. 
 You got edm, cal, maybe ssk, maybe ham, and long shot at tor in the market. With wpg as a sleeper team that might want to move on, or even mtl who might be able to do more moving on from Fajardo. 
Even with just 3 teams, you got 3 guys. And you aren’t likely to see a Nash equilibrium (since you mentioned game theory) with the 3 teams. I think vaj will drive the market even if one of the other two set the market first. 

[pw13]

44 minutes ago, ShyGuy said:

Ehhhh I would say its not exactly a secret what needs to happen.

Adams CANNOT be on that roster at the start of the season. The Salary Cap won't allow it. The teams that are in on him know there is a possibility they can get him, its just a matter of do you deal with the Lions and provide enough trade capital (read: anything) to get him, or wait until he is cut and then attempt to outbid the other teams.

 

To me the big question is, is he due a roster bonus or signing bonus payable before the season starts? If so, the Lions will be eager to take the highest offer they can get before the payment deadline. If not, they can hang on to him until Day 1 of the season. Any team that wants Adams is going to want him in the building and working with the OC long before camp opens. So the "wait for him to be cut" strategy works only if he's due an off-season bonus. And it has the added disadvantage (for the teams seeking him) of creating the possibility of a bidding war. Whereas getting him by trade gives the acquiring team certainty about its 2025 starter. 

   

[Fatty Liver]

19 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

Anyone with their starter heading to free agency can handle that contract just fine.  So right away...Edmonton, Calgary, Sask, Hamilton, Montreal.

Allows teams on the fence like the Riders or Ti-Cats to go after Adams aggressively early on with the option of re-signing  established vets. Trevor Harris or BLM if they strike out.

[wbbfan]

40 minutes ago, pw13 said:

To me the big question is, is he due a roster bonus or signing bonus payable before the season starts? If so, the Lions will be eager to take the highest offer they can get before the payment deadline. If not, they can hang on to him until Day 1 of the season. Any team that wants Adams is going to want him in the building and working with the OC long before camp opens. So the "wait for him to be cut" strategy works only if he's due an off-season bonus. And it has the added disadvantage (for the teams seeking him) of creating the possibility of a bidding war. Whereas getting him by trade gives the acquiring team certainty about its 2025 starter. 

   

His 2024 numbers 

https://3downnation.com/2024/05/07/the-cfls-15-highest-paid-quarterbacks-for-the-2024-season/

6) Vernon Adams Jr., B.C. Lions (A)

Hard money: $403,800
Maximum value: $403,800

The 31-year-old set all-new career-highs this past season and cashed in with a three-year contract extension that included a $200,000 signing bonus. Adams Jr. can earn a $155,000 base salary, a $15,000 training bonus, $13,800 in housing, a $10,000 travel bonus, and $10,000 in non-football-related services to the team.

honestly, 400k is a good deal and not having to worry about bonus bloat in the back end is nice. 
 His numbers this year might be a bit different but I imagine not significantly off. I imagine 450k ish likely.  

[ShyGuy]

6 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

His 2024 numbers 

https://3downnation.com/2024/05/07/the-cfls-15-highest-paid-quarterbacks-for-the-2024-season/

6) Vernon Adams Jr., B.C. Lions (A)

Hard money: $403,800
Maximum value: $403,800

The 31-year-old set all-new career-highs this past season and cashed in with a three-year contract extension that included a $200,000 signing bonus. Adams Jr. can earn a $155,000 base salary, a $15,000 training bonus, $13,800 in housing, a $10,000 travel bonus, and $10,000 in non-football-related services to the team.

honestly, 400k is a good deal and not having to worry about bonus bloat in the back end is nice. 
 His numbers this year might be a bit different but I imagine not significantly off. I imagine 450k ish likely.  

Yeah his 2024 numbers aren't bad, but didn't Willie just say "yesterdays price is not todays price"

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/21/b-c-lions-sign-qb-vernon-adams-jr-to-contract-extension-through-2026/

Teams aren't dealing with his 2024 numbers (unless the Lions accelerate some of whats due in 2025/26 into this year... and based on Betts and Rourke coming on this year good luck). It's the 500k hard money in 2025, and the 250K guaranteed in 2026 that teams would be worried about.

[Booch]

1 hour ago, Fatty Liver said:

Don't see a problem with their strategy, it lets all other teams know the race has begun, the team that signs Adams will be the one that is most proactive, not the most patient.

Maybe they should have said we open to offers on either or.....could have gotten themselves a sweet deal...even if they were just B.S'in

 

1 hour ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

What's the hope if you go grim on what your intent is?

Have teams make offers on Rourke too?

Anyone with their starter heading to free agency can handle that contract just fine.  So right away...Edmonton, Calgary, Sask, Hamilton, Montreal.

exactly this...m,ake it seem both can be had....may have gotten them more than they would have expected...and really...they were doing just fine with the Vaj....for less money...and not like he's old

[Tracker]

2 hours ago, Fatty Liver said:

Doman still made out like a bandit with a 50k+ crowd, maybe he could have drawn another 5k if the Lions were in the game.  Wade would be ecstatic if they could draw a crowd like that.

Wade would rather have consistent 30K crowds than a one-time 50K one, most of whom will never be seen again.

[Mark H.]

4 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

Will there be pie? I'm not going unless MOS and Co buy me coffee and pies and answer my questions.

'Course durrs pie...baked for every Bomber loyalist.

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, ShyGuy said:

Yeah his 2024 numbers aren't bad, but didn't Willie just say "yesterdays price is not todays price"

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/21/b-c-lions-sign-qb-vernon-adams-jr-to-contract-extension-through-2026/

Teams aren't dealing with his 2024 numbers (unless the Lions accelerate some of whats due in 2025/26 into this year... and based on Betts and Rourke coming on this year good luck). It's the 500k hard money in 2025, and the 250K guaranteed in 2026 that teams would be worried about.

Willy’s a fa though. 500k is still a pretty good deal. Wonder how that hard money breaks down. Might well include a roster bonus. If it does I bet they trade him before it kicks in. 

 

36 minutes ago, Tracker said:

Wade would rather have consistent 30K crowds than a one-time 50K one, most of whom will never be seen again.

How much did that concert cost too. Could well have been a loss leader 

[HardCoreBlue]

4 hours ago, Mark H. said:

'Course durrs pie...baked for every Bomber loyalist.

I literally just read this in a southern drawl.

[kelownabomberfan]

 

 

[wbbfan]

7 hours ago, kelownabomberfan said:

 

 

Dooooo iiiittttttt!!!!!!!!

[rebusrankin]

BC-Bomber fans approve this move.

[Mark H.]

16 hours ago, Fatty Liver said:

Allows teams on the fence like the Riders or Ti-Cats to go after Adams aggressively early on with the option of re-signing  established vets. Trevor Harris or BLM if they strike out.

If I'm Vaj, I'm taking a serious look at the Elks.  An up and coming team with some solid pieces. 

[Brandon]

7 minutes ago, Mark H. said:

If I'm Vaj, I'm taking a serious look at the Elks.  An up and coming team with some solid pieces. 

If I'm Vaj I would not sign with the Elks until they officially moved on from MBT/Ford.   I don't think he wants to join any team where their is a chance that he is replaced. 

[bigg jay]

8 minutes ago, Brandon said:

If I'm Vaj I would not sign with the Elks until they officially moved on from MBT/Ford.   I don't think he wants to join any team where their is a chance that he is replaced. 

What choice does he have?  He's under contract for the next 2 years and Rigmaiden said they will not be taking his wishes into consideration, it'll be what's best for BC.

[wbbfan]

22 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

What choice does he have?  He's under contract for the next 2 years and Rigmaiden said they will not be taking his wishes into consideration, it'll be what's best for BC.

If he tells teams he won’t report he can take back a good bit. UFL does not have an agreement with the cfl, he could go there. 
 
It’ll be interesting to see who would give up the most value for vaj.  I think Edmonton would end up leaving the cupboard too bare. 
 
If he does go to the elk, will mbt end up back in Toronto? 
 I feel like this off season is going to include a lot of movement at qb that won’t really amount to much.  

[bigg jay]

5 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

If he tells teams he won’t report he can take back a good bit. UFL does not have an agreement with the cfl, he could go there. 
 
It’ll be interesting to see who would give up the most value for vaj.  I think Edmonton would end up leaving the cupboard too bare. 
 
If he does go to the elk, will mbt end up back in Toronto? 
 I feel like this off season is going to include a lot of movement at qb that won’t really amount to much.  

VAJ has been traded twice for a 1st rounder so I'm guessing that may be the asking price - I don't think BC wants to take on much (if any) salary.  Edmonton has no 1st rounder to offer this year (used it to grab Zach Mathis in the last supplemental draft) so they may be behind the 8 ball there. 

[Mark H.]

58 minutes ago, Brandon said:

If I'm Vaj I would not sign with the Elks until they officially moved on from MBT/Ford.   I don't think he wants to join any team where their is a chance that he is replaced. 

Well obviously.  That's true of any potential team, right now.  

The Stamps might be the exception, but I'd think twice about going there.

[JuranBoldenRules]

1 hour ago, Brandon said:

If I'm Vaj I would not sign with the Elks until they officially moved on from MBT/Ford.   I don't think he wants to join any team where their is a chance that he is replaced. 

Those guys are both free agents.  If they trade for VAJ those guys aren't coming back.

[17to85]

What a sad ******* state of affairs for cfl quarterbacking when Vernon Adams is the hot sought after option...