Rider Nation received an early Christmas present on Wednesday as the Saskatchewan Roughriders inked quarterback Brandon Bridge to a one-year contract extension.

“It feels good to know where I’m going to be at in the year of 2018,” said Bridge.

Bridge was scheduled to become a free agent in February and could have been a hot commodity after a strong 2017 campaign, but he decided that staying in Saskatchewan for, at least, one more year was the best fit for him.

“I spoke with my agent and he felt like the one year would be good, especially with the CBA uncertainty and with the ratio possibly changing,” said Bridge. “We actually want to be here, but we felt that one year was the best and Saskatchewan felt it was too.”

Bridge broke out during the 2017 season with the Riders as he shared time at quarterback with Kevin Glenn, dressing in all 18 games and making one start.

The 25-year-old threw for 1,236 yards and 10 touchdowns over the course of the season. In his lone start, he passed for 231 yards and three touchdowns to lead the Riders to a road win in Hamilton.

The Riders feel Bridge has a good shot at starting for the team heading into the 2018 season.

“He’s taken a step forward this year where he’s gotten an opportunity to play more, now it’s just about getting more of an opportunity and trying to do it on a consistent basis,” said Jeremy O’Day, Vice-President of Football Operations with the Riders.

After making strides forward in 2017, Bridge said he needs to be more of a leader to take his game to another level in 2018.

“My big play ability can get us into some great opportunities, but it can also put us in second-and-forever, so obviously it’s the maturity thing, sometimes it’s good to check the ball down and live another day… and that’s what (Chris Jones) was talking about,” said Bridge.

The Riders now have the same quarterback group — Bridge, Glenn and Vernon Adams Jr. — under contract for the 2018 season.

Having a familiarity with Saskatchewan, the quarterback room, playbook and coaching staff, albeit with QB coach Jarious Jackson leaving, was a big draw for Bridge in returning to the Riders.

“Saskatchewan really showed their love and their dedication to trying to get me back early throughout the year, Chris Jones and I spoke on numerous occasions on how much he wanted me here and how he wanted to move forward,” said Bridge. “I wanted to be in an environment where I was comfortable.”

Bridge is a rare commodity in the CFL as a national quarterback. With the possibility of a rule changing coming into effect over the new couple seasons that would allow quarterbacks to count in the ratio, Bridge’s value could increase over the next few years.

Bridge met with CFL Commissioner Randy Ambrosie about the change earlier this week.

“It went well,” Bridge said. “(Ambrosie) said he’s really looking forward to attacking this situation. I really want to lay down that first brick for a younger generation so that they don’t have to jump the same barriers that I had to, so hopefully at some point in time the rule changes and gives these kids a fair opportunity.”

It’s been a busy offseason already for Bridge as he also worked out for the New York Giants, which he added went well, but he’s ready to prove himself again with Saskatchewan.