Stamps’ Eric Rogers signs with NFL’s San Francisco 49ers

By Sonny Sachdeva, January 26 2016 —

While the Calgary Stampeders’ 2015 season didn’t end as they hoped — losing in the Western Final to eventual Grey Cup champions, the Edmonton Eskimos — there was one bright spot for our local CFL club. Rookie receiver Eric Rogers put forth an exceptional season, finishing the 2015 campaign with 1,448 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns, leading all CFL catchers in both categories.

It seemed as though the Stampeders had found a foundational star upon which to build their future, just as they did with quarterback Bo-Levi Mitchell. But, as has been the case with many CFL stars, Rogers parlayed his standout season into a ticket to the bright lights of the NFL.

The San Francisco 49ers signed Rogers to a two-year deal after the Stampeders agreed to release the 24-year-old from his CFL contract.

It’s certainly a disappointing turn of events for both the CFL and the Stampeders, but it’s not an entirely surprising one. The league has dealt with situations like this one for years, as top performers continue to jump at the opportunity to leave the CFL and head south to earn more money.

The same goes for Rogers. Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the former Stampeder is set to take home a $100,000 guaranteed base salary alongside a $125,000 signing bonus and $75,000 in other bonuses. It’s the most lucrative deal given to any CFL player since former B.C. Lion Cameron Wake signed a four-year $2.6-million deal with the Miami Dolphins in 2009.

A dangerous combination of size and speed, Rogers has the potential to join Wake as one of the most successful NFL transfers in CFL history.