Should CFL Teams Lean Into the 2025 UFL Talent Well for Quarterback Depth?

The CFL seemingly has a depth problem when it comes to quality starting caliber quarterbacks, should they lean into players willing to split time between the UFL and CFL? The answer is not black and white as it takes a special player to find success in both styles while adapting on the fly.

However even with that fact, there are players who bring the experience and upside to make it worth the gamble. Bryce Perkins, Jordan Ta’amu, maybe even J’Mar Smith make sense to bring in and see what they can do while learning the game on the fly. With the CFL being able to offer long-term stability, higher peak pay, and perhaps more importantly to some, fans in the stands, some players could see the CFL as a better option than the UFL heading into the 2026 season and beyond if the NFL does not come calling.

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1 Players the CFL Could Consider

Players the CFL Could Consider

Bryce Perkins, Michigan Panthers

Perkins has been named as one of the 10 players on the negotiation list by the Edmonton Elks in multiple seasons. Assuming he still remains on their negotiation list, he would be a great fit for their team if anything happened to Tre Ford. Perkins is a plus athlete but also has the accuracy and arm strength to be a high upside passer as well. Another course of action could be trading his rights to another team such as Hamilton, or Winnipeg.

If something happened to Bo Levi Mitchell, the Tiger Cats will be left with just Taylor Powell, and Harrison Frost in their quarterback room. Bringing in a guy like Perkins would be a low risk, high reward type scenario. At worst he is likely not far off from the replacement level play you would’ve received from Taylor Powell, and best case scenario he plays better than expected and warrants some sort of consideration as a long-term piece of the puzzle.

Perkins is coming off winning an MVP award in 2025 while playing for the Michigan Panthers. Having come off the bench in a 2 quarterback system early on, and suffering a late injury, Perkins suited up in just 7 regular season games. Despite this he managed to complete 69% of his passes, throw for 1,342 yards, 9 touchdowns and 2 interceptions, adding 47 carries for 301 yards and 5 touchdowns.

His play during the Panthers’ two playoff games went from good to great. Having averaged 191.7 yards per game during the regular season no one expected he would manage 576 passing yards in 2 games or 288 yards per game adding 5 more passing touchdowns.

Jordan Ta’amu, DC Defenders

Ta’amu was named on the negotiation list for the Saskatchewan Roughriders as recently as 2023. Saskatchewan is a unique situation where they have an aging veteran starter still playing at a high level, a veteran backup with a lot of starts under his belt, and one of the most accomplished short-yardage quarterbacks in the league. They also have former XFL quarterback Jack Coan on the 1-game injured list.

In this scenario Saskatchewan should certainly be talking with Ta’amu about joining the team sooner rather than later. On the surface the quarterback room for Saskatchewan is solid, however there are questions about who will be the long term answer for the team. Jake Maier was brought in to be the veteran backup, but the Roughriders already know the end to that story.

Jack Coan has been with the ‘Riders since early in 2024, but only threw 21 passes last season completing just 10. He is still a fairly raw player despite being in year 4 of his professional career, he has just 31 total starts between five seasons in college and just over 3 years in the pros. Ta’amu however, he already has 34 starts just in spring football, adding 17 starts at Ole Miss, and 9 starts for New Mexico Military Institute. He also played in 3 NFL preseason games.

Ta’amu brings plenty of experience, a long career ahead of him and a high ceiling, currently that is something no one player in the Roughriders quarterback room can offer. Even if this turns into a scenario where you have to agree to sign him to 1 year deals repeatedly allowing him to return to the UFL in the spring before bringing him back in the fall, it is not the worst course of action to bring in a quarterback of his abilities. An important fact to consider; Ta’amu has been on the neg list for multiple teams showing that there could be interest across the league for his services.

J’Mar Smith, Birmingham Stallions

Smith has seemingly been the odd man out in Birmingham for the better part of two seasons now. Playing for his collegiate coach in Skip Holtz, that certainly raises some eyebrows given that the pair have spent 8 seasons together now. Despite this apparent love/hate relationship, Smith not former NFL Draft picks Alex McGough or Matt Corral was starting at quarterback for the Stallions to close out the 2025 season.

Playing in 22 games over 4 seasons he has 11 starts, and holds a 9-2 record. Ironically it was in 2025 that Smith had arguably the best stretch of his career after returning from a brief retirement. During his professional playing career he has thrown for 2,813 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, 8 interceptions scoring another 4 touchdowns as a runner on 70 carries with 329 yards.

More importantly Smith has already spent time with a CFL team in 2021 with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He was with the team for about 3 months in total. During that time his offensive coordinator and QB coach was Tommy Condell. Condell is currently with the Redblacks as is the GM who brought Smith in, Shawn Burke. The Redblacks have already started 3 quarterbacks, and seen two land on the injured list. Bringing in another passer, even if its just until Brown is 100% would appear to be the right choice.

Smith is likely to jump on any opportunity he see’s to actually get on the field, and Ottawa may provide the most likely course to playing time. He could also be an option for Hamilton once again with Steinauer still there. He was the head coach during Smith’s time with the team. Another thing to consider is at 6’0 221 pounds, with some mobility to his game Smith could be an asset in short yardage situations, this role could be enough for him to consider joining a CFL team as a depth piece.

Ej Perry, Memphis Showboats

Ej Perry would make for an interesting CFL prospect. The 6 foot 2, 210 pound quarterback is no stranger to running the ball. Over his career, Perry has compiled 23 touchdowns, and 1,498 yards on the ground. This skillset means the floor for Perry in the CFL is fairly high, given his potential to serve as a short-yardage option. At worst he will still see the field, at best he is a guy who could get a team through an injury situation.

Perry was last seen on the Montreal Alouettes negotiation list in December of 2023. Some may think I am crazy for suggesting it, but bringing in Perry to finish out the 2025 season would be a win-win situation for both parties. The Alouettes currently have carry 4 quarterbacks, and you may ask why they need another one.

With Davis Alexander hurt, the Alouettes have McLeod Bethel-Thompson as their starter, Caleb Evans as the QB2 and short yardage option, and James Morgan as the QB3. Morgan has just 2 regular season starts in any professional league under his belt. Despite being a former 4th round pick in the NFL Draft he is still very much a question mark, even if he looked great in preseason.

Bringing Perry in is a low-risk, potentially high-reward situation. The uncertainty surrounding the Memphis Showboats may be enough for Perry to see the benefit to jumping to the CFL while he is still fairly young. At 27 years old he may just be a camp arm at best in the NFL, but he could build a long term career in the CFL.

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