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Cody Fajardo appears to have started his last game as a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders as he wondered aloud about his future after being benched by the team in favor of Mason Fine.
“I hope there’s someone out there who might still want me. I don’t think that’s the end of Cody Fajardo’s football book, I think that might be the end of the chapter. It’s hard to say, you never know, but it’s hard to come out like this – your last game at home and not being able to start and you have no idea what’s going to happen in the offseason Fajardo told media in Regina on Wednesday.
“I love everyone in this building and this organization gave me the opportunity to play, the first organization that really gave me a lot of confidence and pride and was proud of me and so it’s sweet -bitter. It’s going to be a hard and difficult off season and I have to reflect and take time with my wife. I have a baby now, so I have to consider a lot of things, but I don’t think my days of game are over and I hope to be able to stay in the CFL for many more years to come.
The veteran quarterback did not participate in practice Tuesday, with head coach Craig Dickenson telling the media he was taking a “vet day” and remaining the team’s starter. Fajardo denied that on Wednesday, saying he was told five days ago that he would be relegated to reserve duty.
“It’s a bit of a shame that everyone thought I was taking a day off at the vet after a week off. I’ve been through a lot worse and some people were nagging me for taking the day off, but I’m going there go and I’m going to give everything I’ve got like I’ve done for the past four years and give everything I’ve got to this organization,” Fajardo said.
The Riders are 2-9 in their last 11 games, 10 of which have featured Fajardo as the starting quarterback. He threw for 10 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in those games, missing a game in July after testing positive for COVID-19.
The 30-year-old said Dickenson told him the decision was not based on Fajardo’s performance but rather as a way to generate a spark for the offense. Saskatchewan has managed to score just 22.3 points per game this season, which ranks seventh in the league.
“It’s hard to be the starting quarterback for a team that didn’t live up to our expectations. I feel like you kind of take that negativity and if you want to make a splash or a big change to get a spark, you put in the quarterback. I’m a victim of that and it’s going to be tough to sit on the sidelines for the first time in a long time,” Fajardo said.
“The only thing is when you’re the captain of a ship and it’s sinking, you want to go down with it and that’s the only thing that’s unfortunate is that I won’t be able to be there- down with my guys to end the year. It’s tough but I’m going to be there to support Mason. He has a great opportunity to seize the moment.
Saskatchewan is hosting the Gray Cup this year, further raising the expectations of Riderville fans. The province hosted the CFL’s last championship game in 2013 when they won it at home, beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 45-23.
Although the club’s playoff hopes are quickly fading, Fajardo remains determined to do whatever he can to help the team win.
“Obviously it’s difficult for me but I’m here to support the team. There are two weeks left and we are going to try and do everything we can to win football games and everything they are going to ask me to do and if I even have a little playing time in the game I will be ready, I’ll be ready. I prepare as if I was the starter,” Fajardo said.
“I know this role, I’ve been in this position before and I’ll be the best replacement this team needs for the last two weeks and I’ll see what happens after that.”
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