Veteran CFL QB Matthew Schiltz has joined the Calgary Stampeders

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Matthew Schiltz has reportedly agreed to terms to join the Calgary Stampeders in the opening days of the CFL free agency window.

The 31-year-old defender is throwing his hat and hand into the ring here, hoping his exciting three-game spell last season will last until 2024, albeit with a new team.

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In three starts with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats last year, Schiltz went 108-for-161 with a 67.1 passing percentage, 1,556 yards and seven touchdowns.

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It was the most action the St. Charles, Ill., native has seen in his seven-year CFL career. Schiltz spent his first five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes before two stellar campaigns with the Ticats in 2022 and '23.

In Calgary, current QB Jake Meyer is projected to take over the starting role at pivot again. But Schiltz gives the Stampeders a veteran option.

“Jake has great durability,” Stampeders GM/head coach Dave Dickenson said last month. “I'm glad we got some contact with Jake this offseason, we're going to figure out some things as a staff and offensive unit that we need to get better at and try to talk it over with Jake. sure that he is in the best condition.

“As always, I'm confident with Jake and I feel like he's going to make us better and better.”

Only the BC Lions' Vernon Adams (4,769) and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Zach Collaros (4,263) — two of the league's best punters — have thrown for more yards than Meyer's 2023 total of 4,237 yards. He threw against the ball 19 times. . His 62.8 completion percentage was a league low among each team's top starter.

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In a 41-30 West semifinal loss to the Lions, Meyer went 23-of-34 for 304 yards and two TDs against two interceptions.

“We've got three more guys,” Dickenson said when asked if the team is looking to add another quarterback to its regular route in free agency. “I'm not saying we're not looking (in free agency). I don't know who will be there and at what price.

“It's hard to have two well-paid players on the roster. It's always a challenge.”

The Stamps entered the offseason with QBs Maier and rookie Logan Bonner under contract.

In late November, they re-signed freshman Chris Reynolds, who was the team's No. 3 quarterback through the first nine games of the 2023 regular season and saw action in one contest, catching one of two passes for five yards in Week 10. The host Lions are on the Stamps' practice roster before ending the season.

Then a week later, the Red and White re-raised Tommy Stevens, who served as the Stamps' shortstop specialist at QB the last two seasons and had a team-leading 15 rushing touchdowns in that span. Last year, Stevens had 44 carries for 151 yards and a team-leading six rushing touchdowns while completing 4-of-9 passes for 17 yards.

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But now comes news of Schiltz's arrival as free agency begins Tuesday.

No deal can be finalized before that date, but teams have until Sunday to negotiate with free agents like Shiltz.

Universal DB Kobe Williams sticks with stamps

The Stampeders re-signed All-American quarterback Kobe Williams on Wednesday.

The versatile Williams became eligible to become a free agent on Tuesday.

5-foot-10, 180 pounds. Williams started all 18 regular-season games for Calgary last year (12 at halfback, five at halfcourt and one at cornerback). He had 45 tackles (four for loss), four special teams stops, one sack, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

Williams joined the Stampeders in 2021 after spending time in the NFL with the Jacksonville Jaguars. After starting one game with Calgary in 2021, he played in 11 games the following season.

In 30 career CFL games, Williams has 76 tackles (five for loss), four special teams tackles, one sack, two forced fumbles and two interceptions.

— With Canadian Press files

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