As the Calgary Stampeders gear up for their next CFL showdown against the Montreal Alouettes this Saturday, all eyes are on the quarterback position. Expect Jake Maier to reclaim his role as the team’s starting QB for this crucial game at McMahon Stadium. Despite the drama surrounding his recent benching, Maier’s return under center could be just what the Stampeders need to turn their season around.

Calgary’s head coach and general manager, Dave Dickenson, has hinted strongly that Maier will be back in the starting role. While Dickenson didn’t make a definitive announcement, his comments after last Saturday’s loss to the Edmonton Elks suggest that Maier is likely to resume his duties. “I went back with Jake to take all the ‘1’ reps Tuesday in practice and let all the guys have reps,” Dickenson explained. “But I do feel like even when Jake didn’t play last game, I felt like it could be best for Jake to take a look from a different viewpoint and take a deep breath. And he had a good practice Tuesday.”

The recent shift in the Stampeders’ quarterback lineup saw second-year QB Logan Bonner stepping in for Maier during the Labour Day Replay. Unfortunately for Bonner, the game ended in a 37-16 defeat against the Edmonton Elks, marking a tough outing for him. This was Maier’s first benching under Dickenson since he took over the starting role from the legendary Bo Levi Mitchell in 2022.

Maier has reflected on his time away from the starting role, noting the unexpected nature of being benched. “It allowed me to take a step back, get myself back to ground zero a little bit and really lean into my family and lean into some of my close friends and lean into my teammates,” Maier said. “It was a little bit strange at first, just because you put so much work into it and you care so much about your guys. But at the end of the day, the decision was made, and my opinion about it just doesn’t matter. It really doesn’t. What matters is that I was ready for whatever came last week. I did everything I could to try to help the guys that were playing, and going forward, that mentality is not going to be any different.”

As Maier prepares to rejoin the lineup, the Stampeders face a significant challenge. Their upcoming opponent, the Montreal Alouettes, are the top team in the CFL with a record of 10-2. This marks a formidable test for Calgary, which has struggled recently with a 4-8 record and a four-game losing streak. The Stampeders’ recent performance has been disappointing, with only one win in their last six games, placing them at the bottom of the West Division standings.

Dickenson is also keeping an eye on veteran QB Matt Shiltz, who has been battling an ankle injury throughout the 2024 season. “Matt practised Tuesday, too, which was nice,” said Dickenson. “He’s getting some starter reps as well. I feel like that room’s got to be at its best in order for us to win.” With Shiltz showing signs of recovery, the quarterback situation in Calgary is in flux, but the focus seems to be on Maier returning to form.

Maier acknowledges the weight of the moment and the importance of stepping up his game. “I think that Dave wants to see the best version of me,” he said. “And if I’m the best version of me, that’ll trickle down through the rest of our offence and — hopefully — through the rest of our team. Quarterback is one of the hardest positions in the world in sports, and when you are not at your best, it’s very, very difficult as a football team to be at your best. So I think Dave is searching for somebody to be the best version of themself and give our team an opportunity to win. And I think as a head coach, that’s more than appropriate, and I can respect that.”

Despite some struggles, Maier remains among the top quarterbacks in the league in terms of passing yards. He currently ranks fourth with 2,921 yards, trailing only Bo Levi Mitchell, the Elks’ McLeod Bethel-Thompson, and two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player Zach Collaros. However, his performance has been marred by 11 interceptions, which have significantly impacted the Stampeders’ success. The team’s offensive woes are underscored by a lack of scoring, with no touchdowns in their last two games.

Maier is aware of the criticism and understands the urgency to address the team’s offensive struggles. “I think you go back to the process of it,” he said when discussing the need for improvement. “I think you have to keep it as fundamental as you can. I think there’s been a lot of situations where offensively, we have forced some things when we haven’t had to. And I think that when you play some of these top teams … they don’t let you get away with that. So we have to be able to understand that before we go into these games and plan accordingly, execute accordingly and make decisions that allow us the opportunity to stay in the game, because the last weeks, we haven’t done that.”

Looking ahead to Saturday’s game, Maier is focused on rallying his team. “I think at the end of the day, it’s just how well can we play as a team, because it has been a while — it’s been a few games,” he added. “And I understand the frustration from the media. I understand the frustration from our fans. I understand all that. I understand that what we’re doing is not good enough. So the more we can focus on the process of how to be better, that’s going to be the most important thing going forward. Everything else is pretty irrelevant, in my opinion.”

In addition to the quarterback situation, the Stampeders are dealing with a few injuries and roster moves. Defensive lineman Josiah Coatney (knee), defensive lineman Elliot Graham (ankle), and defensive back Malcolm Thompson (hamstring) did not participate in Tuesday’s practice. Wide receiver Ishmael Hyman (hamstring) was limited in practice. The team also signed Canadian linebacker Dan Basambombo to the practice roster. Basambombo, a Laval Rouge et Or alum, brings experience and depth to the linebacking corps.

As the Stampeders prepare for their pivotal matchup against the Alouettes, the return of Jake Maier to the starting role could be the catalyst they need to turn their season around. The challenge of facing the league’s top team will test the resolve and capabilities of both Maier and the Stampeders as they look to regain their footing and push towards the playoffs.