‘You’re always auditioning’: Final three games important for 2022 Riders

After starting the 2022 CFL season with high expectations, and even with the playoffs still in reach, the pressure is on for the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

That includes pressure on general manager Jeremy O’Day.

“We’re all responsible for having success on the football field and I don’t need anyone to tell me that 6-and-9 is not acceptable for the Saskatchewan Roughriders,” O’Day told media as Tuesday’s practice began at Mosaic Stadium.

“We’ve been fortunate enough to have good teams the last number of years and put ourselves in a position where we can win a championship and we’ve got to continue to do that. That’s what we’re being evaluated on.

“We want to be successful for every year and this, so far, hasn’t been a great year as far as where we’ve put ourselves moving into a playoff run. But the opportunity is still there for us.”

The Riders are to take on the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday in a game that will be pivotal for both teams’ playoff chances.

The Riders have two more wins than the Tiger-Cats (4-10), but the only way Saskatchewan can qualify for the playoffs is through the crossover into the East Division. In order to do that, the Riders must finish with more wins than the Tiger-Cats.

Kickoff for Friday’s game is set for 5:30 p.m. The Green Zone pre-game show begins at 3 p.m.

Much like the management of the team, O’Day said all the players are auditioning for their jobs, but that happens every time they step on the field.

“You’re always auditioning to get another contract and we’re always going to evaluate the players and try to make decisions that are best for the organization and for our team,” O’Day said.

“We’re paid to be here to win football games, myself included. I wear just as much of that and I’m responsible just as much as the players are.”

One major player who has been under the spotlight this season has been quarterback Cody Fajardo, who is in a contract year.

Fajardo has thrown for 3,101 yards, with 14 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. He has also rushed for 320 yards and eight touchdowns.

“He’s had a challenging year, much like our team … He has battled through injury this season with having a big knee brace on his knee,” O’Day said. “I think Cody has been playing at a pretty high level the last number of weeks and I think he’s given us a chance to win.

“We’re all in contract years. I know that quarterbacks are different, but the reality is sometimes you go through your contract and you talk about it at an appropriate time. We will talk about (a contract) as we get into the off-season and have those discussions about where Cody fits with us.”

While there is pressure on the Roughriders to perform in these final three games, O’Day said the team is still focused on the 2022 Grey Cup at Mosaic Stadium.

“We don’t talk about next year until the season is over. It’s my job to keep my eye on the present and the future so there are some things you need to prepare for leading into the playoffs,” O’Day said.

“The reality is we’re 100 per cent just focused on this year. The goal is still in front of us. We’ve made it more difficult than we want to, but we still have the opportunity to get where we want to.”