Saskatchewan Roughriders give QB Jake Maier a fresh start

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Jake Maier is hoping the grass is greener on the other side.

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After spending the first four years of his CFL career with the Calgary Stampeders, the quarterback was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Dec. 23.

And while he was eligible to test free agency on Feb. 11, Maier opted to sign a contract on Thursday with the Roughriders, who traded a 2025 eighth-round draft pick to acquire him.

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“The trade was pretty sudden and unexpected to be honest with you,” Maier told media Friday during a virtual press conference. “I had a pretty good idea that as soon as the season ended in Calgary that there would be hopefully a couple opportunities out there. Now how logistically that was all going to play out and the timing of all that, I had no idea.

“So, it was not something that was necessarily expected at the time, but in back of my mind … you kind of have a pretty good checklist on places that you feel like you’d fit and Saskatchewan was definitely one of those for me internally.

“So when I found out that trade happened, it was almost, for me, kind of that feeling of like, ‘OK, that feels meant to be.’

“For them to go out and trade for me and put that much faith in me and really see a present and a future for me in the green and white, that was something that hit home for me,” he added. “It’s a beautiful feeling to know that there’s an organization, there’s a management, there’s a coaching staff that really values what you bring to the table, and now it’s your job to prove them right.”

After joining the Stampeders in 2021, the 6-foot-0, 200-pound California native became the first quarterback in CFL history to pass for 300-plus yards in his first three starts. He eventually took over the starting duties from Bo Levi Mitchell in 2022 before throwing for career-high 4,244 yards with 19 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2023.

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Last season, Maier threw for 3,841 yards and 22 touchdowns, both third in the CFL, while tossing 14 interceptions in 15 starts. However, after Calgary missed the playoffs for the first time in 20 years, the Stampeders elected to make a change at quarterback heading into 2025 as they acquired Vernon Adams Jr. from the B.C. Lions, prompting Maier to find a new home.

“It is a reset,” said Maier. “Truth be told, I had some good times in Calgary and obviously had some struggles.

“I feel like I’ve been on both sides of the fence early in my career which has given me so many valuable life lessons and experiences that are now going to carry me in this next chapter.

“I think what is allowing me to be as comfortable and confident as I am walking into this situation is there is a lot of familiarity with people in the building here.

“It’s kind of taking a step back and start over a little bit, but also with people that I know are good people.”

Maier already has pre-existing relationships with several players and coaches in Saskatchewan including head coach Corey Mace, who was Calgary’s defensive line coach during Maier’s first season with the Stampeders in 2021, and Saskatchewan’s offensive coordinator Marc Mueller, who was Maier’s quarterback coach for his first three seasons in the league before Mueller joined the Roughriders last off-season.

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“He’s responsible for my baby years in the CFL,” Maier said of Mueller. “Those early years during the cancelled season and the pandemic, and just how willing he was to constantly stay in touch with me as a rookie who he had never met before (and) making sure I was as comfortable and confident going into my rookie season to give me the best opportunity possible to make that team.

“And the development over that first season and then especially that second season to where he was to build me up as a player to where I was able to step into a role at a very young age early in my career to start games and play well, I gave him a ton of credit for that.

“If it weren’t for his guidance early in my career, I really don’t think I’d be where I’m at right now.”

Maier, 27, is expected to serve as the backup to 38-year-old veteran Trevor Harris this season in Saskatchewan and the younger quarterback is excited to learn from Harris, who has been in the CFL since 2012.

“Trevor is one of the more high-class individuals in our league (and) one of the best quarterbacks in our league,” said Maier, who has made 45 career CFL starts while dressing for 20 more games as a backup. “I always enjoy watching a Trevor Harris game because it’s very intentional. It’s very detailed. He’s got great feet. He’s got great eyes. He understands the CFL game.

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“He was one of the first guys that reached out and called me when the trade went down and just said ‘Hey, I’m here if you need anything.’

“So I think the quarterback room and that dynamic is going to be really, really strong. And I made it very clear to him that I know the situation I’m walking into. I want to be nothing but a resource for him.
I want to be a supporter. I want somebody that just does what he can for the team in any capacity because I understand what type of leader he is and how much respect he has from the coaches and the management and his teammates.

“We’re going to follow his lead because he’s earned that and I look forward to being a part of that.”

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