THE TORCH HAS BEEN PASSED

CALGARY – Jake Maier took his job. What was likely Bo Levi Mitchell’s parting message as a Calgary Stampeder quarterback was believe Maier deserves it.

“If you’re questioning anything, I can tell you don’t, because that guy is going to be very special,” Mitchell said as the Stampeders closed the book on their 2022 CFL season.

“Jake’s got a good head on his shoulders and a damn good arm as well.”

Maier, 25, went 6-3 in starts after replacing Mitchell in August.

Maier’s two-year contract extension in September plus the Stampeders’ all-time leading passer in the final year of his contract signalled the impending end of the Mitchell era in Calgary.

While it’s not surprising the Stampeders are executing a quarterback succession plan in light of Mitchell’s age, 32, and his shoulder injuries in recent years, Sunday’s 30-16 loss to the B.C. Lions in the CFL’s West Division semifinal raised questions whether the time is right for the handoff.

Maier completed just over half his pass attempts for 138 yards and no touchdown throws over three-plus quarters. Mitchell entered the game with 11 minutes left and moved the chains quicker than Maier with 147 yards on two drives and one ending in a field goal.

“Quarterback play is always going to be scrutinized, especially after losses,” Stampeder head coach Dave Dickenson said.

“(Jake’s) done a lot of good things, a good leader, puts the time in. More reps help, situations he’s never been in help. Sometimes when you make a changing of the guard, there can be a little bit of learning curve that you’ve got to expect.”

Calgary general manager John Hufnagel wants Maier’s backup in 2023 to have CFL experience, but convincing Mitchell to stay is unlikely.

There will be suitors for a man who led the Stampeders to a pair of Grey Cups (2014, 2018) and was twice named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player (2016, 2018).

Mitchell’s 32,541 passing yards is a franchise record and his career record as Calgary’s starter is 90-25-2.

“The writing is usually on the wall when you’re paying another guy, and I want to be a starter,” Mitchell said.

The future Hall of Famer could return to the Stampeders as a future coach.

“I’ve told Dave for the last couple of years no matter when that point does come, he’d be the first phone call,” Mitchell said. “I’d love to coach for him, with him because he’s a guy that I’m still learning from and always will.

“Even though I’ve been here for 10 years, I still haven’t soaked up all that information. His brain is much bigger than his head is.”

Said Dickenson: “At some point I’d love to work with him, either next year or down the road. I don’t think we should put him in the coaching world yet because I think Bo wants to play.”

Calgary (12-6) finished third in the West and reached the post-season for a 17th consecutive year, but also lost a third straight West semifinal.

(Canadian Press)