After much speculation, the Stampeders’ Grey Cup MVP quarterback will be returning to Calgary.
Global News digital journalist Lisa MacGregor confirmed that Bo Levi Mitchell re-signed with the Stampeders after hearing offers from other teams around the CFL.
“Really happy now,” Mitchell told MacGregor. “I got offered more by multiple teams, but at the end of the day Calgary got in the ballpark.”
WATCH: Calgary Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell explains why he tried out free agency before re-signing with the team.
Mitchell’s four-year deal, worth about $3 million, expires after the 2022 season.
“It’s great to have Bo back for four more years,” Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel said in a statement. “He had lots of options out there and I’m pleased he’s made this commitment to the Stampeders and that he’s chosen to continue building on his already-impressive legacy in Calgary.”
LISTEN: Bo Levi Mitchell joins Dave Rowe on Calgary Today to discuss testing the free agent market and then re-signing with the Calgary Stampeders
Mitchell joins veteran receiver Eric Rogers, Canadian defensive lineman Junior Turner and Canadian receiver Juwan Brescacin in staying with the Calgary Stampeders.
WATCH: Bo Levi Mitchell discusses how it was negotiating with Calgary Stampeders GM John Hufnagel.
Rogers signed a two-year contract with the Grey Cup champions, while Turner also re-signed rather than hit the free-agent market Tuesday at 12 p.m. EST. Rogers is in his second stint with the Stamps and has helped the team win two CFL championships during his tenure, while Turner will enter his ninth year with Calgary.
LISTEN: Stamps GM John Hufnagel joins Dave Rowe on Calgary Today to discuss signing Bo Levi Mitchell
Marquee quarterbacks Mike Reilly and Trevor Harris both found new homes. Harris replaced Reilly after it was announced Reilly had signed with the B.C. Lions.
WATCH: Stampeders quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell talks about offers he received before re-signing with Calgary.
Last season, Rogers started eight of nine games he appeared in, registering 36 catches for 499 yards and five TDs. He had six catches for 61 yards and a club playoff-record three TDs in the West Division final before adding six receptions — including three second-down conversions — in Calgary’s 27-16 Grey Cup victory over Ottawa.
“When Eric is on the field, he’s a game-changing receiver,” Calgary president/GM John Hufnagel said in a statement. “He battled through knee problems to make very important contributions for us last season.
“We expect that the knee will not be a significant issue for Eric in 2019 and that he will maintain his high level of play.”
WATCH: Bo Levi Mitchell credits the opportunity to play for Stamps head coach Dave Dickenson as a major reason for him returning to the red and white.
Rogers has appeared in 28 career regular-season games over three seasons with Calgary. He’s accumulated 132 catches for 2,096 yards and 17 TDs.
After being limited to a total of 13 games in the previous two seasons due to injuries, Turner played all 18 regular-season contests for the Stampeders in 2018, including four starts at defensive tackle. He recorded 21 tackles including one tackle for a loss and established a new career high with four sacks. The Toronto native also had one fumble recovery.
“Junior has long been a mainstay of our defence and 2018 was an excellent bounce-back season for him after some bad luck with injuries,” Hufnagel said. “He’s an important part of our Canadian depth on the defensive line and I’m pleased to have him back.”
A half hour before free agency hit, the Stamps also re-signed Canadian receiver Juwan Brescacin.
The Mississauga, Ont., product set career highs with 35 catches, 567 receiving yards and three touchdowns last year.
Brescacin will enter his fourth year with Stamps in 2019.
As of noon Eastern on Tuesday, the following Stamps players hit the free agent market:
- DB Tunde Adeleke (signed with Hamilton)
- Receiver DaVaris Daniels (signed with Edmonton)
- DB Emanuel Davis
- DE Ja’Gared Davis
- Receiver Lemar Durant (signed with B.C.)
- DB Ciante Evans
- Receiver Bakari Grant
- LB Maleki Harris
- DL Micah Johnson (signed with Saskatchewan)
- DL Cordarro Law
- DB Patrick Levels
- QB Bo Levi Mitchell (re-signed with Calgary)
- OL Randy Richards
- OL Quinn Smith
- DB Troy Stoudermire
- DB Adam Thibault
- OL Spencer Wilson (signed with Montreal)
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