FAJARDO ON HIS FUTURE

By: Braedyn Wozniak, RP Show Intern

Free Agent CFL Quarterback Cody Fajardo has given some insight into what his future might hold. 

Fajardo is expected to land elsewhere this off-season after he led the Riders to a porous 6-12 record in 2022 and got benched in the most important game of the season for Mason Fine. 

“There’s a lot of uncertainty right now,” said Fajardo on the Rod Pedersen Show Monday. “All I can do is try and be the best person, best version of myself. That’s been my goal.” 

The 30-year-old was the CFL West Division’s Most Outstanding Player in 2019 after leading the league in passing yards. 

Three years later, he’s looking for a new home. As of now, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have not reached out to Fajardo. 

“I would just like a sense of direction,” said Fajardo. “Whether they want me back or don’t want me back, just so my family and I can plan.” 

“But there’s a few teams I have my eye on. I made my wish list so-to-speak with some teams on it … hopefully my agent can reach out to some of those teams and let them know I’m interested.” 

Fajardo hopes those teams will answer the phone and give him a chance. His competitive nature was a trait Rider fans endeared, and he still believes he can help a pro football team win games. 

“I’ve got a lot of good football left in me,” he said emphatically. “I just hope there’s somebody out there that wants me, not just likes me.” 

“That’s going to be my goal going into this off-season, this free agency. I want to hear (from) a team that really wants me.” 

Fajardo revealed that he wasn’t playing at 100 per cent this season, gutting it out with a grade two MCL tear, which was the reason for the brace he was using this season. 

“Putting a clunky knee brace on a mobile quarterback is not ideal and wasn’t ideal for me, but I wanted to be out there with my guys,” he said. “I knew I’ve been able to play through that injury before.” 

“It’s unfortunate. I didn’t have my best year and there’s no excuses for that. I watched every game at the end of the year. I watched just about every throw, every drop back. There’s a lot of things I could have done better.” 

It’s true that Fajardo’s play was subpar, but the glaring issue was the offensive line. In fact, the Riders were a mess in almost every aspect of the game. 

Fajardo placed no blame on his team, and is actually upset about how his time with the Riders will likely end. 

“It was a tough year, for everybody in that locker room, not just me. We had such high hopes and aspirations … it’s unfortunate because there’s a lot of guys I’ve built incredible relationships with,” said Fajardo. 

But missing the playoffs was a blessing in disguise for Fajardo, who had an extra month to get in the gym, work off his ailments and spend time with his family. 

“It’s been truly incredible, focusing on me and my family and the little one, and trying to be the best dad I can be, the best husband I can be,” he said proudly. 

“One silver lining of not being in the playoffs is that I got a jump-start on my off-season workouts. I’m starting a month earlier … so that’s a positive.” 

Fajardo looks to use the off-season to get healthy and get back with a CFL team. Which team that will be is yet to be decided. 

(The Rod Pedersen Show airs daily on Game+ TV, YouTube Live and WQEE Radio)