Saskatchewan Roughriders legend Scott Schultz is not feeling sorry for Cody Fajardo after the Montreal Alouettes chose young Davis Alexander over the veteran quarterback.
"I mean, his feelings are hurt," Schultz told SportsCage host Barney Shynkaruk. "Someone didn't tell him it was a business."
Schultz was selected first overall by the Riders in the 2001 CFL Draft and played for the team until 2009 when he retired. He was with the Green and White when the team won the Grey Cup in 2007 over the Blue Bombers 23-19.
Prior to the 2023 season, Fajardo signed with the Als as a free agent and led the team to an 11-7 record. Montreal defeated the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 27-12 in the East Semi-Final. Following that victory, the Alouettes beat the Toronto Argonauts in the East Final 38-17. The Als lifted the big silver trophy after upsetting the Winnipeg Blue Bombers 28-24 in the 110th Grey Cup.
3DownNation insider Justin Dunk reported Alexander signed a three-year contract extension. While Fajardo has a $200,000 roster bonus due on January 15. That date serves as a deadline to rework his $482,000 hard money compensation for 2025 otherwise he could be traded or released. Alouettes' general manager Danny Maciocia would like to help Fajardo if he wants to leave the team.
"If there is an opportunity for him to start elsewhere, we are going to help him. I have a tremendous respect for him," Maciocia said. "Unfortunately, there are only nine teams. If there were a 10th, he would probably be starting somewhere."
During the 2024 season, Alexander started four games for the Als, producing a 4-0 record while Fajardo was out with a hamstring injury. Alexander dressed for 18 games, throwing for 1,347 yards, six touchdowns and two interceptions. Meanwhile, Fajardo played 14 games throwing for 3,105 yards with 16 touchdowns and seven interceptions.
Schultz believes this could be an opportunity for Fajardo to prove the Alouettes wrong for choosing Alexander over him. He feels Fajardo should accept a backup role and seize the opportunity if the starter gets injured, wherever he plays in 2025.
"You take that humility pill, you find your best landing spot, you go there and try to rip the a** out of whoever's there," Schultz said. "All of a sudden, something happens. Now you're ready to go because that's what a veteran can do. If he can get his Christian mind around those concepts, I think he can really do something."
The CFL's free agent communication window opens on February 2, 2025 at 11 a.m. and concludes on February 9, 2025 at the same time. Players can officially sign with new teams on February 11, 2025 at 11 a.m.
