Cody Fajardo speaks to media ahead of his first Grey Cup as a starting quarterback. (Jamie Nye/980 CJME)

By CJME News

SECOND CHANCE

Fajardo, Maas compete for Grey Cup after being let go by Riders

Nov 16, 2023 | 11:04 AM

Cody Fajardo and Jason Maas both found themselves out of the Saskatchewan Roughriders’ plans after the 2022 season.

Now, both the quarterback and head coach are days away from playing for a Grey Cup as members of the Montreal Alouettes.

“I don’t hold grudges and it was unfortunate how things worked out. When you pour your heart and soul out for an organization, it is always going to be difficult when you’re told you’re not good enough or you’re not going to be the guy,” Fajardo said ahead of the championship showdown against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The CFL’s championship game is set for Sunday at Tim Hortons Field with kickoff at 5 p.m.

“Everything happens for a reason and, all glory to God, I am sitting here today and going to play in my first Grey Cup as a starting quarterback,” Fajardo added.

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Fajardo took over the reins as the Riders’ starter back in 2019 after an injury to Zach Collaros – who is now the Bombers’ starting pivot and appearing in his fourth straight Grey Cup.

Fajardo appeared in back-to-back CFL West Finals in 2019 and 2021 (the 2020 season was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic) and was the starter for most of the 2022 season before the team benched him for Mason Fine in the final two weeks of the season.

“When I would have those meetings with Coach Dickie, I would need somewhere to vent and I would walk into coach Maas’ office and I would ask him straight up, ‘Is this your decision? How do you feel about it?’” Fajardo said.

Just over a year ago, Jason Maas was fired by the Riders. Now he is head coach of the Montreal Alouettes and competing for the Grey Cup. (Thomas Skrlj/CFL)