The 111th Grey Cup game is in the review mirror with the Toronto Argonauts celebrating the franchise’s 19th championship. The 112th Grey Cup pursuit begins with teams assessing football operations and rosters, hoping to hoist the trophy on November 16, 2025, in Winnipeg.

That process is well underway for the Saskatchewan Roughriders. The team has to make a pivotal decision at quarterback with Trevor Harris and Shea Patterson scheduled to become free agents in February.

Patterson signed with the Green and White leading into the 2023 season and dressed for 13 games as a first-year Roughrider, serving primarily as the short-yardage QB. He carried the ball 15 times for 39 yards and two touchdowns.

In 2024, the 27-year-old won the backup job to Harris coming out of training camp. However, Patterson was thrust into the starting role after Harris injured his knee in a Week 3 victory over Hamilton. Two weeks later, Patterson made his first Canadian Football League start, completing 15-of-23 passes for 192 yards while running four times for 18 yards in a 30-23 win over the visiting Toronto Argonauts.

Not only did Patterson guide the Riders to a victory over the eventual Grey Cup champion Argos, but he also threw his first CFL touchdown pass, a 34-yarder to Samuel Emilus, opportunities he did not take for granted entering the season.

“To get a chance to play, I’m very appreciative, especially to do it here with this group of guys, this coaching staff, and this organization.”

Patterson started five more games with the team, cementing his bond with his teammates and coaches — relationships he hopes to build on should he be fortunate enough to re-sign with the team.

“I hope I am a part of it moving forward. I love it here. It doesn’t get much better than this, especially with a guy like [Jeremy O’Day] in charge and coach [Corey] Mace running things,” the 27-year-old said.

“Let the chips fall where they may. I hope it’s here for me, but you control what you can control. Put the work in and be ready for whatever may happen.”

He completed 60 percent of his passes for 1,655 yards with six touchdowns and five interceptions while rushing 38 times for 134 yards and seven majors. As a starter, the University of Michigan product compiled a 2-3-1 record.

Patterson, who has also spent time in B.C. and Montreal, feels the future is bright for the Riders moving forward after a feeling of unfinished business after a loss to Winnipeg in the West Final.

“Our ultimate goal, ever since coach Mace came here and brought that energy and that atmosphere here, is to win a Grey Cup. We feel disappointed if we don’t win,” Patterson said.

“We’re really together and I think that’s what made the difference, as opposed to the last two years. In my mind, it’s a Grey Cup or nothing.”

Part of the allure of Patterson, a Toledo, Ohio native, returning to Riderville would be the opportunity to continue building on the foundation laid in 2025.

“I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else. It’s building one brick after another,” the six-foot-two, 202-pound QB said. “This is the first brick and I’m excited to see where the next brick is laid. We want to win it all.”