ROB VANSTONE: Class was in session as Trevor Harris met media

Trevor Harris, renowned as a quarterback for attributes such as his lightning-quick reaction time, didn’t wait for a question.

“Before we get going, I just want to thank all of you,” he said to begin Sunday’s often-emotional season-ending session with reporters who cover the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“I tell you a lot that I don’t take for granted that I get to be the quarterback here. It’s the honour of a lifetime.

“A lot of people care around here. I can tell you that I share it and that I care about this organization. I love this organization and team. I love being a Roughrider.

“I just want to let you know that I appreciate all you guys for your opinions and what you put into this. I know you put a lot into this as well.

“There’s nobody more disappointed in the way this ended.”

The Roughriders’ 2026 season ended on Saturday when the B.C. Lions posted a 33-26 first-round CFL playoff victory over the defending Grey Cup champions.

After the Roughriders flew back from Vancouver on Saturday, there was a restless night before the players conducted year-end meetings with coaches and management. It was also time to clean out the lockers and meet with reporters.

One of the primary questions pertains to Harris and his future in football. At 40, he is on an expiring contract — one he signed within three weeks of being named the 2025 Grey Cup MVP.

Harris followed up in fine style in 2026, leading the league in passing yardage (5,370) and completions (431). The latter total is the second-best in franchise history. Ditto for his 32 touchdown passes.

Can he play? The answer is obvious.

Will he play? He will take some time to ponder the question, in consultation with his family and the Roughriders’ brass.

“I’ll take a step back, as I do every year,” Harris said in response to an inquiry from CKRM’s Dave Thomas. “There’s never going to be a desire to not play.

“I put a lot into this — a lot more hours than people may know. I know that might sound like I’m patting myself on the back, but the truth of the matter is I put a lot of myself into this physically, emotionally, socially and spiritually. I give everything I have to this game.

“During the season, out of the season, and right when I get home, it’s, ‘How can I get better?’ I self-assess everything. To (return), I want to make sure I have that energy.

“I’m not going to let my teammates down. I’m not going to let God down for gifting me with this. I’m not going to put any ounce of less effort into this. I want to make sure I’m not letting my family down, the coaches, the province of Saskatchewan, so I’m always going to reflect on that.

“It usually doesn’t take long, but I guess we’ll see what happens. You take a step back and assess and go from there.”

Harris sat in the very same spot in Mosaic Stadium’s media room on Feb. 14, 2023. He said at the time that Saskatchewan was a place he had always wanted to play. Those sentiments have been reinforced countless times over the past four seasons.

“I’ve never had more fun playing football,” Harris said, fielding an inquiry from CBC’s Adam Bent. “I’ve grown a lot as a player in terms of the things I’ve done. You meet so many people in the province that share the love of the game that I do. They share the love of this team.

“When I first signed with the Roughriders, I was excited to be the quarterback here, but as you go you understand why this is the province’s team and why it means so much and why you want to represent it on the field, from the coaches all the way down to the last fans you meet.

“They have opinions. I understand that some people might not have great opinions of me, because there’s young guys who are athletic and can run. I get it. But I’m still an elite quarterback in this league. I know that.

“There’s just so much admiration to wear the green and white for me because of the history of this province and this organization. Not only that, you think about who Marc Mueller’s grandfather is (Ron Lancaster) and (Mueller) is getting to call plays for this organization.

“It trickles down from him to all the great ones, like Doubles (Darian Durant). You get to step in the shoes of what they’ve been able to do. You want to make them proud and it drives you a lot.”

So, yes, there will be a lot to think about during the drive back home to Ohio.

“At 40, if my teammates would choose me and if this organization would choose me, that’s what it comes down to for me,” Harris said after Global Regina’s Rylee Cohen posed a question. “The people in this locker room mean a great deal to me.

“Like I said last year, I won’t come back unless I know I can be a tier 1 quarterback. That will be part of the decision-making process. If I can’t be an elite, tier 1 quarterback, I won’t come back and play next year.”

With no further questions, an elite, tier 1 person thanked the assembled reporters once more and, for good measure, shook hands with everyone before leaving the media room.