The BC Lions cleared up their quarterback room by dealing Vernon Adams Jr. to the Calgary Stampeders today.
The signal-caller was expected to be dealt this season as the Lions move forward with Nathan Rourke behind centre.
The Lions are getting a 2025 round two pick, a 2025 round four pick, and a 2026 round two pick from the Stampeders.
Adams Jr., a 2025 round four selection, and a 2026 round three pick are going the other way to the Stampeders.
🚨 TRADE 🚨
The #BCLions have acquired three draft selections from Calgary for Vernon Adams Jr.
MORE DETAILS đź“ť | https://t.co/qLsDxJdILW pic.twitter.com/u2oS8MGWYJ
— BC LIONS (@BCLions) November 26, 2024
“On behalf of the entire organization, I thank Vernon for his outstanding work and professionalism on and off the field these past three years,” said Lions GM Ryan Rigmaiden.
“As we continue to build this roster for next year and beyond, we’re excited for the opportunity to acquire more draft picks. Canadian draft picks are the lifeblood of a club’s championship aspirations.”
Adams Jr. began last season as the starter for the Lions and was playing well. He looked like an MVP candidate through the first few weeks of the season. Things changed when the Lions brought back Rourke and Adams Jr. got hurt. The coaching staff elected to keep Rourke under centre even as he struggled and when Adams Jr. was healthy again, the roles had switched.
While Adams Jr. was eventually given his job back for the last regular season game and playoffs, the team’s momentum was firmly in the wrong direction.
“That really crushed me,” Adams told reporters at the team’s year-end press conference. “When I came back and they told me they didn’t know if I was getting my spot back or anything, that just totally crushed me, I’m not going to lie.”
“But again, I wasn’t going to be whining or complaining about it. I just had to come to work every day with a smile on my face and help however I could.”
More to come…