The Lions wanted to re-sign Riders’ QB Cody Fajardo during free agency

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

The B.C. Lions wanted to keep quarterback Cody Fajardo on the West coast.

Fajardo spent the 2018 season in B.C. mostly as the third-string QB behind Travis Lulay and Jonathon Jennings.

“For me I landed in a great spot here with a great opportunity. B.C. wanted me back in free agency and I just felt like this opportunity was better for me, the fit was a lot better,” Fajardo said.

After Mike Reilly signed a four-year $2.9 million contract with the Leos in free agency, making the veteran the highest paid player in the league, Fajardo felt Saskatchewan provided a better opportunity for potential playing time.

“Every year I’ve changed teams it was in free agency. It wasn’t like I’ve been released by teams so there isn’t this I want to go get them kind of thing or revenge,” Fajardo said.

Former Toronto Argos general manager Jim Barker originally signed Fajardo in 2016, he wore double blue for two seasons developing and learning from Ricky Ray. The boatmen quarterback room became crowded following the trade for James Franklin prior to the 2018 season and Marc Trestman’s affinity for McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

That led to Fajardo leaving Southern Ontario for West coast. The 27-year-old quarterback made the right read when signing with the Riders. Zach Collaros had an injury history and when he suffered a concussion on the third play from scrimmage in Week 1, Fajardo took over as the starter.

Fajardo wants to stay in Saskatchewan long term, his current contract runs out at the end of the 2019 season. Deciding to sign with the Riders is going to pay off in a large way.