You can’t go very far in Rider Nation without hearing speculation about the future of quarterback Trevor Harris.
Will the 40-year-old decide to walk away from the game, or will he return for another season with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who are preparing to host the 2027 Grey Cup?
While Harris has yet to reveal his plans, 3DownNation.com’s Justin Dunk believes a significant payday could be waiting for the veteran quarterback if he decides to keep playing.
Dunk joined the SportsCage and suggested Roughriders general manager Jeremy O’Day may need to put a substantial offer on the table to keep Harris in Saskatchewan, potentially in the neighbourhood of $1 million.
"If I'm Jeremy O'Day, I'm putting a big check, potentially a million-dollar offer, in front of Trevor Harris," Dunk said.
The timing of the negotiations could also play a significant role.
Harris could become a free agent in the new year, although the exact date is still unknown. Dunk believes the closer Harris gets to free agency without a new contract, the more leverage he will have at the negotiating table.
Dunk pointed to the Toronto Argonauts and their negotiations with quarterback Chad Kelly as an example, citing comments from Argonauts general manager Michael (Pinball) Clemons.
"The closer that it got, the more leverage there is," Dunk said.
Harris has several reasons to hold a strong negotiating position.
The Roughriders are coming off a Grey Cup championship season and will have the spotlight squarely on Saskatchewan in 2027 as the province prepares to host the CFL's biggest game. The organization will also face enormous expectations to defend its championship before Rider Nation.
Dunk questioned where Saskatchewan could turn if Harris decides to leave, especially given the challenges of playing quarterback in the demanding Saskatchewan market.
"Who the heck else are you going to go and get to play that position and handle the fishbowl that is playing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders with the class and grace that Trevor Harris does?" Dunk said.
Dunk also noted that Harris has been willing to accept below-market contracts in recent seasons rather than trying to squeeze every dollar out of the Riders.
That history could make it difficult to criticize the veteran quarterback if he decides this is the time to maximize his earning potential.
"He has taken team-friendly deals at least the last couple of years and not pushed it to the limit, so you can't blame him for potentially doing that if it's the way it shakes out," Dunk said.
Ultimately, the decision rests with Harris. But if the veteran quarterback wants to return for another run at a Grey Cup, he may be in a position to command one of the league's most lucrative contracts.
For O'Day and the Roughriders, keeping their championship quarterback in Saskatchewan could come with a hefty price tag.
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