The Rouge takes a look at each team and poses their biggest question heading into the off-season. Today, the Edmonton Eskimos.
The Edmonton Eskimos had struggles at the quarterback position for most of last season. Then there was a glimmer of hope with the third-year Matt Nichols towards the end of the year.
In limited late-season action, the Eastern Washington product showed that he could play in the league. Nichols led the Eskimos to a near comeback against the Montreal Alouettes in Week 18; enough to earn the start in the final game of the regular season where he looked strong again before leaving with a nasty ankle injury.
The Eskimos franchise has a lot to figure out this off-season. In terms of the QB position, the one thing that seems likely is that of last year's three starters, Nichols is the only one with a legitimate future on the team.
Whoever ends up with the job, this will be the new GMs biggest decision of his first off-season. Maybe not a decision that will define his tenure as architect of the Eskies, but certainly one that will set the tone.
Complicating matters could be Nichols' devastating injury suffered in the team's regular season finale. Expectations at this point are that the 25-year-old will be ready to go for 2013 training camp but if Edmonton decides to play it safe, the option of pursuing a veteran QB becomes more enticing.
A large part of Edmonton's 2012 struggles could be pinned on play at the QB position. A large part of their off-season could likely be spent trying to solve the problem for 2013.
The Rouge asks: Should Matt Nichols get the nod as starting quarterback next season for the Eskimos?
