A year that was filled disappointment will now turn into an offseason full of questions, as the Saskatchewan Roughriders closed the book on the 2022 season on Sunday as the team cleaned out their lockers, said their final good-byes, and are now left wondering what could’ve been, as the ensuing months are sure to bring plenty of changes to the Roughriders in a year where there was expectations for the green and white to be playing for the Grey Cup in front of their fans at Mosaic Stadium, the team ended up with a 6-12 record, and out of the playoffs.
Quarterback Cody Fajardo said the mood was somber on Sunday as the offseason began.
It’s pretty depressing to see guys clean out their lockers and knowing that it’s probably the last time this group is going to be together.”
With Fajardo softened his stance on his future, noting he was very emotional when the Roughriders decided to replace him as starting quarterback of the team and saying a chapter had closed.
“I gave everything I had, I felt like the way that the season played out was a little sickening for me, a little frustrating after giving everything I had for three years and I just felt like the organization just kind of moved on from me and for me that was a little emotional, but I was there for Mason (Fine) and I did everything I can being the backup.”
Fajardo added that he wouldn’t completely rule out a return to Saskatchewan in 2023.
“I would love to play another game in green and white, but that’s not up to me.”
With his contract set to expire in February, the Nevada product is looking forward to exploring his options.
“I know that I can win football games in this league, and I have done it and I know I can play at a high level, I’m just excited for the opportunities ahead, I don’t exactly know what they are, this kind of my first time feeling out the free agency as a starting quarterback going into it, usually I’m a day two, day three, day four guy as a backup.”
Fajardo also pointed out that he received over a thousand messages, emails, and other forms of contact from Rider nation wanting him to return next season.
If the 30 year old departs as a free agent, his final two games as a member of the Roughriders saw him relegated as the backup quarterback, that’s something that really disappointing to Fajardo.
“I wish I would’ve went down with the ship, and went down these last two games and whatever happens after that , happens after that, but the fact that I didn’t play those last two games really hurt me.”
Dickenson said the focus of the final two weeks was to win both games against the Stamps.
“The idea of going down with the ship is noble and honourable, but it’s are job not to go down, so we’re doing everything we can, trying to keep the ship afloat, and if it means making a change, we’re going to make a change.”
Even though the game on Saturday had no playoff implications, the Riders head coach says the reason the team decided to go with Fajardo as the team’s second quarterback instead of Jake Dolegala, was because ending the season with a win was the main priority.
“We talked about it as an organization, we felt like Cody, and Mason we’re our two best quarterbacks to give us a chance to win, the fact that Cody didn’t get in is unfortunate.”
Where did it go wrong?
It could take some time before the coaching staff and players pinpoint exactly where did the season go wrong.
Fajardo believes the team’s bout with COVID-19 in July, when the Riders faced the Argonauts at home, was a critical setback.
“We had a huge game against Toronto and we got decimated by COVID and I think if we get a chance to play a full roster and we win that game, it might have been a little bit different, at least at the end of the year.”
Receiver Shaq Evans agreed with Fajardo, as he felt the loss to the Argonauts at home sent the team in the wrong direction.
“I felt that if we won that game, it would’ve gave us momentum, cause football is a game of momentum, when you lose big games like that, it’s hard to bounce back, especially when it’s out of your control.”
Linebacker Darnell Sankey felt the Riders fell down a hole and couldn’t get themselves out.
“It’s like you’re under water, and then you get a breath of fresh air, and then you’re back underwater, and that’s what it kind of felt like.”
With an offseason that is beginning three weeks earlier than what everyone in Rider nation was hoping for, the path to the 2023 season is now set to begin.
