The Calgary Stampeders acquired quarterback Vernon Adams Jr., a 2025 fourth-round pick (32nd), and a 2026 third-round pick from the B.C. Lions on Tuesday. The Lions will get Calgary’s 2025 second-round pick (9th), 2025 fourth-round pick (29th), and a 2026 second-round pick.
“We’re excited to bring Vernon to Calgary,” said Stampeders general manager and head coach Dave Dickenson. “We know he is a dynamic player and great leader and we look forward to him bringing his big talents to the Red and White.”
Vernon Adams Jr. is five foot eleven and weighs 200 pounds. The 31-year-old from Pasadena, California, completed 197 of 302 passes (65.2%) for 2,929 yards, 16 touchdowns, 9 interceptions, 40 carries for 213 yards, and three touchdowns in 10 games going 6-3 as a starter in 2024.
“I am super excited to be a Stampeder,” said Adams. “I’ve always wanted to play for Dave and an organization like Calgary – so much rich history and culture. I’m pumped I get to link back up with Beau Baldwin as well. I’m ready to get to work.”
Adams attended the Seattle Seahawks rookie mini-camp as an undrafted free agent in 2016. Later, he tried out for the Washington Redskins but was not signed. Originally, Adams Jr. was on the Lions’ negotiation list and British Columbia traded his rights to the Montreal Alouettes in 2016 for a 2017 first-round pick.
Adams Jr. played two seasons in his first stint in Montreal. He completed 42 of 75 passes (56%) for 575 yards, four touchdowns, one interception, 37 carries for 121 yards, and two touchdowns in 22 games. In 2017, Adams was traded to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He completed one of three passes (33.3%) for eight yards, 12 carries for 33 yards, and two touchdowns in 11 games.
The B.C. Lions acquired Adams Jr. from the Montreal Alouettes on August 21, 2022, for a 2023 first-round pick. Adams played four seasons in his second stint with Montreal. He completed 462 of 742 passes (62.3%) for 6,405 yards, 39 touchdowns, 25 interceptions, 154 carries for 824 yards, and 15 touchdowns in 34 games.
In 2022, Adams Jr. completed 118 of 180 passes (65.6%) for 1,504 yards, six touchdowns, one interception, and 14 carries for 129 yards in eight games. In 2023, Adams Jr. completed 333 of 488 passes (68.2%) for 4,769 yards, 31 touchdowns, 18 interceptions, 48 carries for 324 yards, and one touchdown in 18 games for the B.C. Lions in 2023.
Collegiately, Adams played three seasons at Eastern Washington (2012-14) completing 701 of 1,081 passes (64.8%) for 10,438 yards, 110 touchdowns, 31 interceptions, 297 carries for 1,205 yards, and 11 touchdowns in 34 games. He was a two-time Big Sky Offensive Player of the Year and a two-time First-Team All-Big Sky.
Then, Adams transferred to Oregon in 2015 completing 168 of 259 passes (64.9%) for 2,643 yards, 26 touchdowns, six interceptions, 83 carries for 147 yards, and two touchdowns in ten games.
