Solving the 2014 quarterback conundrum

There may be three weeks left in the CFL's regular season and plenty of notable storylines in the race for playoff positioning, but one of the most intriguing league-wide stories is actually much more about next year. That's the discussion of what quarterbacks will go in the Dec. 16 expansion draft, where the new Ottawa franchise will get to raid the existing clubs for quarterbacks, non-import players and import players. The draft's rules are much more favourable to the new team than previous expansion drafts have been, particularly with the provision that teams can only protect one quarterback. With that and the wave of excellent showings we've seen from backup quarterbacks this year in mind, there's plenty of league-wide discussion going on about what pivots will be where next year. Interestingly enough, though, while the expansion draft will affect the whole league, the quarterback situation is likely to be determined by a smaller number of clubs. Four of the nine teams that will compete in the CFL in 2014 will have particularly important decisions to make about their quarterbacks in the coming weeks. Here's a breakdown of what each of those teams has to decide and what they're likely to do.

Calgary Stampeders:
Current quarterbacks: Kevin Glenn, Drew Tate, Bo Levi Mitchell

The Stampeders face a tough decision here, as they have three impressive quarterbacks who all could potentially be a team's starter (and they've started all three at times this season, with remarkable success). However, they'll only be able to protect one. If they're smart, they'll make this decision about the future as well as the present. Yes, Glenn has been anointed as the starter recently, with head coach/general manager John Hufnagel seemingly preferring a low-risk, low-upside veteran performance to the greater highs and lows offered by Tate and Mitchell, but he should not be the quarterback Calgary protects. Glenn is 34, and while his CFL career isn't quite dead yet, he's not a great future investment for a franchise.

Tate (29) and Mitchell (23) are far less proven, and Tate's injury issues are a concern, but either would seem a better bet to build around, especially as they've put up better numbers than Glenn when healthy. Mitchell in particular is probably the best quarterback for the Stampeders to protect given his age and his success so far, but a case can be made for Tate as well. Regardless of which way Calgary goes there, though, that leaves them with two capable quarterbacks they can't protect. As we'll see below, that leads to interesting options.

Toronto Argonauts:
Current quarterbacks: Ricky Ray, Zach Collaros, Trevor Harris, Josh Portis

The Argonauts' decision is likely much simpler. Despite the impressive showing Collaros has turned in in relief this season, he's nowhere near Ray. When healthy, Ray has been otherworldly this year. Yes, he's 33, but unlike Glenn, he's playing at a level unmatched by anyone else in the CFL, blowing Glenn (and everyone else) away in completion percentage (78.1 per cent to 67.3 per cent), TD/INT ratio (17:1 to 16:6) and passer rating (130.4 to 102.0). Collaros has been good too, but his 66.3 per cent completion rate and 13:6 TD/INT ratio make him more of an intriguing target than a must-protect quarterback. He's only 25 and in just his second CFL season, though, so he could be a very interesting target for teams looking for a QB.

It's possible Toronto protects Collaros and opts to build for the future, making Ray available, but it seems unlikely they give up one of the league's best players to roll the dice at quarterback. After all, that didn't work for Edmonton. Meanwhile, Harris and Portis haven't seen enough playing time to really be worth protecting or targeting. A key question may be if the Argos opt to keep Collaros until the draft or deal him before then, though.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers:
Current quarterbacks: Max Hall, Jason Boltus, Justin Goltz

This is where things get really interesting, as the Bombers could be a wild card thrown in before we even get to the expansion draft. None of their current quarterbacks have really looked to be worth protecting, and although Hall's shown flashes of talent here and there, it's tough to argue he's even playing at a level close to most backups around the league. Thus, it might well behoove the Bombers to go after a quarterback before the expansion draft, and general manager Kyle Walters has acknowledged interest in that idea.

Talking to either Calgary or Toronto (or both) might work out well for Winnipeg; they can offer those teams some compensation for a quarterback they'd otherwise lose in the expansion draft. What goes down here depends on who the Stamps and Argos plan to protect, though. If that's Mitchell and Ray, the Bombers might be well-served to make an offer for Tate and/or Collaros. Either could give them a quarterback to build around, and making a deal might let Toronto or Calgary get something for someone they'd lose for nothing otherwise.

Ottawa Redblacks:
Current quarterbacks: None.

Ottawa's decisions in the expansion draft will depend on who other teams protect and if any trades take place before that. At worst, though, they should likely be able to get one of Collaros and/or Tate; if Winnipeg doesn't swoop in, they could perhaps grab both. Some have suggested the Redblacks should go after Glenn, but from this corner, that may not be the best idea; while he's played well this year and could perhaps help the new Ottawa team get off to a decent start, it should be much more important for them to build for the future, and Glenn shouldn't be anyone's quarterback of the future. Either Tate or Collaros could well be.

There are other options potentially in play too, including Saskatchewan backup Drew Willy, Hamilton backup Dan LeFevour (if the Tiger-Cats protect Henry Burris), Montreal's Josh Neiswander, Tanner Marsh or Troy Smith (depending on who the Alouettes protect; it's unlikely they'll protect Anthony Calvillo even if he opts to return for next year, as the Redblacks shouldn't be drafting a 41-year old and he'd probably opt to retire instead of going to Ottawa even if chosen), Edmonton's Matt Nichols and B.C.'s Thomas DeMarco, and the Redblacks will be taking two quarterbacks. Still, either Collaros or Tate seems the most likely to be Ottawa's quarterback next season, with the other one likely starting under centre in Winnipeg. We'll see how it plays out.