CALGARY - The road back to the CFL playoffs goes through Vernon Adams Jr. in Calgary.

The Stampeders acquired the quarterback from the B.C. Lions a month after their worst season in two decades concluded in 2024. Calgary finished last in the CFL with a 5-12-1 record.

The Lions choosing Nathan Rourke their No. 1 pivot, and Calgary looking for an upgrade after two and a half seasons of Jake Maier brought the 32-year-old Adams to a team looking for a turnaround in 2025 after missing the post-season for the first time in 19 years.

"He's Vernon Adams, he's Big-Play VA, so he's going to bring Calgary back to where it used to be," predicted receiver Dominique Rhymes.

"He's used to being a winner, so he is going to be bringing that winning culture, and I think it's going happen immediately."

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