Quarterbacks Jeremiah Masoli and Dane Evans are ‘going to compete’ for Ticats starting QB job

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym

Hamilton Tiger-Cats head coach Orlondo Steinauer likes his team’s quarterback situation.

The Ticats were able to re-sign Jeremiah Masoli in January while already having Dane Evans under contract. Both men are signed for the 2021 CFL season.

“It’s a great situation to have, this is not a problem. They’re going to come in, they’re going to compete. I’m sure that at some point in time they’re both going to help us win a championship,” Steinauer told team digital host Louis Butko.

Masoli suffered a season-ending ACL tear in Week 7 of the 2019 season. In January a video was posted to social media showing Masoli perform a number of drills, proving he’s made a full recovery.

“Now Jeremiah should be completely healed and the fact that he wanted to come back and compete, and be a Tiger-Cat, and try to chase this Grey Cup in 2021, it speaks for itself,” Steinauer said.

According to 3DownNation insider Justin Dunk, Masoli’s extension included a $125,000 signing bonus and could be worth $350,000 total. Meanwhile, Evans earned approximately $170,000 last season, during which he helped the Ticats reach the 107th Grey Cup.

“We thought we had something special with Dane, but until you get out there in a live game situation you’re really not sure. He proved that he is a top notch guy,” Steinauer said.

Evans has never outright earned the No. 1 QB job in his pro career. Although, Evans went 10-2 as a starter in relief of an injured Masoli as part of the most dominant regular season in franchise history with the Ticats producing a 15-3 record the last time football was played north of the border.

“When you’re talking about Dane and Jeremiah you’re talking about two very competitive people that want to be great, that both want to start,” Steinauer said.

“You don’t want people that are satisfied being backups, but you do want people that want to play a role because unfortunately, at any position, not everybody can start.”