Roughriders trade for Calgary quarterback Jake Maier

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The Saskatchewan Roughriders have traded for experienced quarterback Jake Maier, a four-year CFL veteran who was the Calgary Stampeders starter for the past two seasons.

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Maier could become a free agent when his contract expires Feb. 11. The Roughriders sent an eighth-round selection in the 2025 CFL draft to Calgary, which allows them to negotiate with Maier before his contract expires. It’s a common practice in the CFL — two years ago Calgary sent veteran quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in an offseason trade three months before his contract expired. Hamilton subsequently signed Mitchell to a contract.

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Because the Roughriders just secured returning starter Trevor Harris with a one-year contract extension, Maier is destined to be Saskatchewan’s backup quarterback. Last year’s backup, Shea Patterson, replaced Harris for seven games in 2024 and will likely become a free agent in February. Rookie Jack Coan and prospect Michael Hiers are the other quarterbacks under contract.

A, six-foot, 200-pound product of California-Davis, Maier spent his first two seasons backing up Mitchell. He posted three straight 300-yard passing games as a fill-in during his rookie season and through two campaigns passed for 3,600 yards with 19 touchdowns and 10 interceptions, bumping Mitchell out of his starting assignment. Maier passed for 4,244 yards with 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2023 before throwing for 3,841 yards with 22 touchdowns and 14 interceptions last season.

Maier lost his starting role last season as the Stampeders posted a 5-12-1 record and missed the playoffs. His quarterbacks coach during the previous three seasons was Marc Mueller, who joined the Roughriders in 2024 as their offensive co-ordinator.

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