At the opening day of Stampeders training camp there was an feeling of excitement and optimism…and a lot of quarterbacks.
Including Jake Maier, who was the starting pivot through the 2023 campaign, there were seven quarterbacks at training camp. Backup QB’s Tommy Stevens and Logan Bonner were also at training camp as well as CFL veteran Matt Shiltz, Kyle Vantrease and Calgary’s own Danny Skelton. Skelton was present as part of the CFL quarterback internship program. Chris Reynolds was present but has since been released.
After a promising season in 2023 it is fair to say Maier likely has a solid hold on his job to start the season. In his first year as a starter in the CFL Maier led the CFL with 363 completions as well as attempts with 578 for a 62.8 per cent completion rate. He put up 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions, passing 4,244 yards in the regular season, third most in the league.
The Stamps are hoping to improve offensively this season after a disappointing 6-12 record and 41-30 loss in their sole playoff game in 2023. Their offense ranked last in touchdowns last season with 36 while Rene Paredes led the league with 52 field goals made. Overall the Stampeders were 9th in the CFL for offensive yards per game with 335.5.
Stevens has been a short yardage QB for the Stamps with 100 carries in two years with Calgary. He has 448 rushing yards and 15 touchdowns in that time, 6 of which were last season. In 2022 he managed an 85 yard carry, the longest of his CFL career. He has only attempted 18 passes for 58 yards and a touchdown.
In the offseason the Stampeders acquired Matt Shiltz. The 31-year-old entered 50 games for Montreal and 28 for Hamilton since 2017. He has a career completion rate of 65.4 per cent and has thrown 4,357 yards with 19 touchdowns and 18 interceptions.
The addition of Shiltz does not appear to be a direct challenge to Maier’s role as starter but a bit of competition in the locker might be what Maier needs to step up this coming season.
“That’s part of the business, right?” Maier said of the many quarterbacks at training camp. “It is a healthy competition. Everyone gets along well. You’re either producing or you’re not. I plan on producing and doing what I need to do.”
Maier took the starting job from Bo Levi Mitchell in 2022, starting 9 games. He ended the 2022 season with 2,389 yards with an impressive 74.7 per cent completion rate. Adding 14 touchdowns and 7 interceptions, the 2023 starting position was an easy choice. This year, he looks to prove he is still the right man for the job. In January the team and Maier agreed to rework his contact, exchanging a $55,000 reduction from his salary for a $150,000 signing bonus for the 26-year-old.
Logan Bonner was the third string option for Calgary last season and entered 9 games. Kyle Vantrease is looking to enter the professional game after putting up over 8,000 yards in 4 seasons as a starter playing college ball.
