While it remains far too early to make firm observations, it sure appears like quarterbacks are starting to perform at a higher level across the CFL.
One of the weaknesses for the league in the last several years —inconsistent QB play in too many games — seems to be far less prevalent two weeks into the season.
Four quarterbacks have averaged more than 300 passing yards a game — a number zero pivots finished off with at the end of last year's 18-game season.
Six quarterbacks have efficiency ratings over 100, up from the final figure of four last season.
While some younger quarterbacks — Cameron Dukes of the Toronto Argonauts, Jake Maier of the Calgary Stampeders and Dru Brown of the Ottawa Redblacks, in particular — have shown well, it is three guys from the over-30 crowd on top of the passing yards chart so far.
Trevor Harris of the Saskatchewan Roughriders, Bo Levi Mitchell of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Vernon Adams Jr. of the B.C. Lions all lost starting gigs with other teams over the previous few years before regaining traction with their current squads.
Harris, 38, has the Roughriders off to a 2-0 start after suffering a season-ending knee injury last July. Mitchell, 34, looks much better under new coach Scott Milanovich after injuries hampered his first campaign in Steeltown. And Adams, 31, has maintained his strong 2022 form for a possible Grey Cup favourite.
"Trevor's story to this point is a microcosm of this entire team," first-year Roughriders head coach Corey Mace said after last Sunday's wild 33-30 win over the Ticats in which Harris threw for 390 yards, despite losing top receiver Shawn Bane Jr. to injury.
"If you really look at how he attacked this off-season and how he's been performing, that's exactly what this team is. If he can lead us out there the way he has been, we're going to be in good company."
The Ticats paid a big price for Mitchell last off-season despite the fact he lost his top job to Maier the previous year. Last season wasn't great for Mitchell or the team, but Milanovich got the most out of quarterbacks in his previous run as head coach of the Argonauts.
"I think he's getting more confident, I think we're getting a better feel for each other in terms of what he's good at and what we're going to be good at offensively," Milanovich said after a loss against Saskatchewan in which Mitchell threw for 380 yards.
Keeping the faith
After leading the league in receiving last season, the Ticats' Tim White has had a surprisingly shaky start to 2023.
He dropped one touchdown pass in each of Hamilton's first two games and also had a ball go off his hands and be intercepted on the Ticats' last drive with the score tied against Saskatchewan, leading to a walk-off field goal for the Roughriders.
Despite the woes, the Ticats say they haven't lost confidence in White.
“First thing I did was walk up to him and say, ’(No.) 12, you’re the best athlete on the team. I’m coming back to you in that situation every single time, that’s never going to change, never going to falter,'" Mitchell said after the loss.
"He’s my guy. Everybody in that locker room loves him.”
Based on his social media, White also remains confident in himself.
Homecoming for Elks
It will be old home week for several key members of the Edmonton Elks.
Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr., returner Javon Leake and kicker Boris Bede are among the former Argonauts set to wear visiting team colours for Saturday night's date at BMO Field.
The Elks have lost a pair of close home games to Saskatchewan and Montreal to open the season. Bethel-Thompson, back in the CFL after going to the USFL last year following a Grey Cup win in 2022 with Toronto, is fourth in the league with 636 yards but has thrown three interceptions against two touchdowns.
The veteran quarterback thinks his team is close to turning losses into wins.
“We’re a Ferrari, we truly are, and sometimes the carburetor’s just not quite (right)," Bethel-Thompson said after the Montreal loss. "Turn it about a half turn and then we rollin’. No one's going to give it to us. That's the great thing about this league. It's going to be a battle every fricking week."
Game of the Week
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers, off to a disappointing 0-2 start, host the Lions (1-1) on Friday in a rematch of the past two West finals.
Winnipeg has won the West the past four seasons, but star quarterback Zach Collaros might be the one QB in the league performing below expectations so far this year. Injuries across the roster also have hurt, including a knee problem for star running back Brady Oliveira.
The Lions bounced back with a win at home against Calgary last week after blowing a 14-point lead in Week 1 to Toronto.
It is a fun Week 3 schedule, with the Alouettes playing their first home game since last year's Grey Cup win and a Sunday night rematch of the Hamilton-Saskatchewan thriller in the Roughriders' home opener.
Thursday, June 20: Ottawa Redblacks (1-0) at Montreal Alouettes (2-0), 7:30 p.m. ET / 4:30 p.m. PT
Friday, June 21: B.C. Lions (1-1) at Winnipeg Blue Bombers (0-2), 8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT
Saturday, June 22: Edmonton Elks (0-2) at Toronto Argonauts (1-1), 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
Sunday, June 23: Hamilton Tiger-Cats (0-2) at Saskatchewan Roughriders (2-0), 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
COMMENTS
When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.