The CFL negotiating window is set to open on Sunday, February 4 at noon ET, allowing all pending free agents to speak to interested teams without restrictions.
While players cannot officially move on to a new franchise until the official opening of free agency on Tuesday, February 13, most of the biggest deals will be agreed to in principle during this week-long window. In anticipation of all the action, 3DownNation will be counting down the top free agents potentially available at each position.
We begin today with the quarterbacks, the lifeblood of any football team. While this year’s class is light on starting talent, there is still plenty of opportunity to add an experienced backup.
Make sure to tune back tomorrow, when we rank the running backs and fullbacks.
Please note that “N” denotes National players (ie. Canadians) and “A” denotes American players.
Quarterbacks
1. Chris Streveler, Free Agent (A)
Following four years of bouncing around the NFL, everybody’s favourite Grey Cup partier is eyeing a return to the CFL. After earning an estimated $1.5 million south of the border and locking in his pension, the 29-year-old is expected to be more interested in franchise fit than in starter money and could prioritize a return to his Winnipeg stomping grounds.
The six-foot-one, 216-pound athlete remains the same dynamic rushing threat he was during his early days with the Bombers, where he ran for 1,167 yards and 22 touchdowns in two seasons. However, he has refined himself as a passer during his time in the NFL and had one of the best preseasons ever with the New York Jets in 2022. With the potential to operate as a package weapon or spot start, Streveler’s value goes far beyond his marketability.
2. Jake Dolegala, Saskatchewan Roughriders (A)
Saskatchewan elected to re-sign Mason Fine as their backup behind Trevor Harris but it was the 27-year-old Dolegala who won the job down the stretch, making the final nine starts as the Riders stumbled and missed the playoff. Despite the seven straight losses to end the season, he posted respectable numbers and completed 64.8 percent of his passes for 2,641 yards, 11 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
The six-foot-seven, 242-pound pivot has the type of size that talent evaluators fall in love with and has proven himself capable of steering a team through a tough situation. Though some may still see starting upside down the line, he would be a solid addition to multiple franchises as a reliable insurance policy.
3. Taylor Cornelius, Free Agent (A)
With 27 career starts in the CFL and another four under his belt from his time in the XFL, Cornelius is the most experienced starter available on the market. Unfortunately, that comes with a lot of baggage, as the 28-year-old posted a decisive losing record during his time in Edmonton and struggled before losing his job.
The six-foot-five, 230-pounder completed just 57.9 percent of his passes for 5,868 yards, 25 touchdowns and 31 interceptions in three seasons for the Elks, while rushing for 907 yards and 16 scores. The impressive physical tools that made two different coaching staffs bet on him are still there and he probably deserves a chance to prove himself somewhere less akin to a dumpster fire. With $100,000 in guaranteed money still owed to him by Edmonton following his release, the Oklahoma State product can afford to take a prove-it deal.
4. Matthew Shiltz, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
It’s a long drop from starting a playoff game over a future Hall of Famer to potentially being out of the job, but Shiltz’ lacklustre Eastern Semi-Final performance dealt a death blow to any remaining thought that he could be a franchise guy. With the Ticats’ re-investment in Bo Levi Mitchell and Taylor Powell’s developmental potential, his future likely lies elsewhere.
The 31-year-old should still be an attractive option for anyone looking to add a little experience to their QB room. A six-year veteran, he has completed 65.4 percent of his passes for 4,357 yards, 19 touchdowns and 18 interceptions between stints with Hamilton and Montreal, while proving to be a change-up threat with his legs on occasion as well.
5. Nick Arbuckle, Ottawa Redblacks (A)
If you’re looking for a cautionary tale about being the next big thing, look no further than Arbuckle. The shine has completely come off the one-time Stampeders wunderkind and Ottawa would have done just about anything to keep him off the field after his last gasp as a starter, demoting him to third-stringer and rolling with a rookie.
The 30-year-old has still thrown for more career yardage than anyone else on the market, completing 68.2 percent of his passes for 7,158 yards. The problem is his negative touchdown-to-interception ratio, which sits at 23 to 29 over the past five years and is 11 to 24 since leaving Calgary.
6. Dakota Prukop, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
At 30 years old, the buzz around Prukop as a potential starting option has faded into obscurity. Not even a stop in the USFL had the desired effect of elevating him to number-one status before he returned to Winnipeg as a third-stringer last year.
Across six CFL seasons with the Argos, Elks and Bombers, the six-foot-one, 212-pound pivot has thrown for just 676 yards, six touchdowns and four interceptions. His little remaining value is as a short-yardage and athletic package option, where he has rushed 570 yards and 15 majors, though teams will be wary of using him as much as Winnipeg tried to.
7. Dominique Davis, B.C. Lions (A)
With 114 games under his belt across eight CFL seasons, Davis is by far the most seasoned player hitting the mark. That longevity has occurred with very little aerial success, throwing for 3,967 yards, 14 touchdowns and 21 interceptions over stints with the Stampeders, Bombers, Redblacks, Alouettes and Lions.
The East Carolina product has instead stuck around as a premier sneak specialist, plunging for 465 yards and 30 touchdowns thanks to his six-foot-four, 215-pound frame. Unfortunately, poor short-yardage play from Davis cost B.C. big on multiple occasions in 2023 and he is set to turn 35 in July, meaning he has likely passed his best-before date.
8. Kai Locksley, Hamilton Tiger-Cats (A)
If you are looking for a depth receiver with a bit of an arm, Locksley may just be the perfect player for you. Unfortunately, being passed over for a chance to play meaningful reps under centre is what prompted the 27-year-old’s unceremonious exit for Edmonton.
At six-foot-four and 215 pounds, the former UTEP standout has had mixed results as a short-yardage specialist, rushing for 148 yards and nine touchdowns. He has thrown just nine passes for 50 yards, but managed to catch 20 for 345 and a score.
