Calgary Stampeders Extend Vernon Adams Jr Through 2028 as Franchise Commits to Stability at Quarterback

The Calgary Stampeders have made their biggest long term commitment of the offseason, signing veteran quarterback Vernon Adams Jr. to a two year contract extension that keeps him in Calgary through the 2028 CFL season.

The extension solidifies Adams as the centerpiece of Calgary’s offense moving forward and signals the organization’s confidence in the veteran passer after a successful first season with the franchise in 2025.

Adams originally arrived in Calgary following a trade from the BC Lions after the 2024 campaign. In his first year leading the Stampeders offense, the veteran quarterback quickly reestablished Calgary as a legitimate contender in the CFL West Division.

The 33 year old started 17 regular season games and guided the Stampeders to an impressive 11-6 record while producing one of the strongest statistical seasons of his CFL career.

Adams completed 280 of 429 pass attempts for 4247 yards and 21 touchdown passes while adding 332 rushing yards and two scores on the ground. His dual threat ability continued creating problems for opposing defenses and gave Calgary’s offense a level of versatility it had lacked in recent seasons.

Perhaps more importantly, Adams provided consistency at the game’s most important position.

The Stampeders organization has spent the last few years attempting to stabilize the quarterback position following the departure of longtime franchise star Bo Levi Mitchell. Adams helped change that conversation in 2025 by bringing leadership, mobility, and explosive playmaking back to Calgary’s offense.

General manager and head coach Dave Dickenson emphasized the importance of maintaining stability at quarterback when discussing the extension.

Calgary’s front office has focused heavily on retaining core players over the last several months, and locking up Adams removes one of the biggest future questions surrounding the roster.

The move also sends a strong message across the CFL.

Franchise quarterbacks remain one of the hardest assets to secure in Canadian football, especially proven veterans capable of winning playoff games. By extending Adams before his contract year, Calgary avoids potential uncertainty while continuing to build continuity around its offensive system.

Adams delivered one of his best performances of the year during the Western Semi Final, completing 23 of 33 passes for 334 yards and two touchdowns without throwing an interception. Although Calgary ultimately fell short of a Grey Cup appearance, the playoff performance reinforced Adams’ value entering 2026.

Now entering his tenth CFL season, Adams already ranks among the league’s most productive active quarterbacks.

Across 118 career regular season games, he owns a 49-28 record as a starter while throwing for more than 20000 passing yards and 117 touchdowns. His rushing production has also remained a major part of his game, with nearly 2000 career rushing yards and 26 rushing touchdowns.

Durability and leadership have become equally important parts of his value.

Adams has earned respect throughout the league for his ability to extend plays, adapt to multiple offensive systems, and maintain locker room chemistry. Those qualities became especially important for Calgary during its transition period following several inconsistent seasons.

The extension also creates long term clarity for the Stampeders offense heading into future free agency periods. Receivers, offensive linemen, and skill position players now know who will lead the offense for the foreseeable future, something that can influence roster decisions across the organization.

For Calgary, the next step becomes turning regular season progress into postseason success.

The Stampeders showed major improvement in 2025, but expectations inside the organization now shift toward competing for a Grey Cup rather than simply returning to playoff relevance.

With Adams secured through 2028, Calgary believes it has the veteran leadership and offensive stability needed to compete with the CFL’s top contenders over the next several seasons.

After years of transition at quarterback, the Stampeders appear ready to fully commit to Vernon Adams Jr as the face of the franchise moving forward.