112th Gray Cup MVP Trevor Harris doesn't think it will take long to decide whether to play in 2026. The 39-year-old thinks quite quickly and trusts his intuition, although there is a process he wants to go through.
“I’m grateful to wake up every day and realize that I’m here and I’m an advocate. I will never, ever, ever take this lightly,” Harris said.
“That's why it will take me some time to make sure What [general manager Jeremy O’Day](head coach) Corey [Mace] and the guys want me here. AND that I can put just as much, if not more, effort into what I do. If you miss one ounce in this game, you will be eaten for lunch. and I'm not going to do that.”
Mays has made it clear how much he wants to reclaim the No. 7 position with the Saskatchewan Roughriders. When asked on a scale of 1 to 10 how much he wants Harris to bring it back– the 39-year-old head of the bench answered decisively.
“Me personally? 10. I love Trevor, man. I've been very open about it and I'm not going to mince words now. I love him enough to respect any time he might need to make this decision for himself and his family,” Mays said.
“I feel like they need a statue. Give him a 25 year contract not a single point, nothing like that. He’s a real man,” Harris said of Mays.I think you have the makings of a dynasty when you have leadership.and the major players we have here.”
It seems Harris wants to keep the Riders together while remaining a leader—or a maestro, if you will. The six-foot-three, 210-pound passer didn't look like a professional athlete who was seriously considering retirement when he met with the media during a locker room clean-out day.
“I feel like I should feel differently because I get asked all these questions: 'So, is this it?' And I was like, “Is this how it’s supposed to be?” Do I look old? Am I playing bad? Do I look like an old man? Do I have gray hair? Harris said.
“I feel like I should feel differently. I said on stage: I feel like I'm somewhere between finishing my career and feeling like I'm just reaching my prime. I know I said it last year, that physical deterioration will not be the reason for my retirement. Aand I still maintain that.”
Harris went through a similar process when deciding to return to Saskatchewan last offseason. The Roughriders lost in the Western Final on Saturday, November 9, 2024. He signed a contract extension as first reported 3DownNationin less than a month, which was officially announced on Friday, December 6th.
“I said last year that I felt my best football was ahead of me. AAnd if I still had football in front of me, I would still stick to it. I know last year you guys thought I was crazy don't start believing me now because you might jinx it bbut I do. I feel like I have better football ahead of me if that’s what God has in store for me,” Harris said.
“The one thing I try to maintain is that if I come back, there will be the same drive, the same motivation, the same work ethic, if not more. I'm not the kind of person who's going to come back and say, “Hey, I'm going to run around the bases, like a guy.” I don't work like that, because…I wasn't raised that way. IIf I'm back, it means my drive is higher and that we want to do it again.”
After the Roughriders won the CFL championship in Winnipeg, Harris thought about what was next. When was the next meeting? When is he next going to see a movie? When was his next training session? He called it a “disease,” but these words from his mouth prove more than anything else that he is passionate about the game of football.
“The reason why the defense attorney is the highest paid person is because a lot of the process and the things you do – you touch the ball every game, yeahyou make a lot of decisions, yeahYou’re a leader whether you like it or not,” Harris said.
“I think everyone understands the sacrifice of going on that journey as a football player. Being the quarterback of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and everything that comes with that is probably another step up,” Mays said.
No. 7 called the Riders 2025 the “closest” team he's ever been on and shared that his teammates don't want to be apart from each other. Harris especially respects offensive coordinator Mark Mueller, calling him a “one-on-one” and making it clear he never wants to take another snap for anyone else.
“I feel like we'll continue to grow together if that happens, if I come back here and they want me back and I can come back,” he said.
Harris did not give a percentage chance as to whether he would be able to resign, but noted: “I would be shocked if I would turn around and say, “This is the end.” He doesn't want to put any undue pressure on his decision. In the meantime, Mays wants to give his franchise QB time to make a fully prepared answer.
“He has a wonderful family, an amazing supporting cast in his home. I know what they feel is very important to Trevor, and it is very important to us,” Mays said. “If he says I want to play, I’d like us to try and do everything to make sure it’s all green and white.”
If Harris decides to continue playing, he has a chance to become the first QB in Roughriders history to win two Gray Cups and also do so in back-to-back seasons. This would enhance his legacy among Rider Nation, which is already cemented as legend thanks to his 112th Gray Cup victory.
“I played for five teams, so the question is, 'How will he be remembered?' I really hope that I will be remembered in green and white. It’s because I feel like this city is right for me,” Harris said.
“I feel like the people here are just like me, the way I was raised. I'm a small town kid, I grew up in a town of 400 people – Waldo, Ohio. I feel like I'm a Regina guy. I hope I retire as a Roughrider and I hope that's how I'm remembered.”
Saskatchewan finished first in the West Division for the first time since 2019 with a 12-6 record in 2025. The Riders defeated the Montreal Alouettes in the 112th Gray Cup at Princess Auto Stadium.which was the team's first title in 12 years. Harris was 11-5 as a starter, throwing for 4,549 yards, 24 touchdowns and 11 interceptions in 16 regular-season starts.
