Drew Tate gets contract extension from Stampeders

Drew Tate prepares to pass during the first half CFL football action against the B.C. Lions. (Jonathan Hayward/CP)

CALGARY — Quarterback Drew Tate has signed a contract extension with the Calgary Stampeders.

The 31-year-old from Baytown, Texas, returns for an eighth season with the CFL club.

Tate was the heir apparent to Calgary’s starting job when the club dealt veteran Henry Burris to Hamilton in 2012, but multiple injuries limited Tate to just 153 completions over the next two seasons.

He was Bo Levi Mitchell’s backup in both 2014 and 2015. Tate started the last regular-season game in 2015, completing 18-of-22 passes for 231 yards and two touchdowns in a 28-7 win over the B.C. Lions.

Tate has often been used in short-yardage situations and scored a league-high 10 rushing TDs in 2014.

The six-foot-one, 191-pound Tate has a career 66.7 completion percentage for 4,415 yards and 32 touchdowns. He’s also rushed for 609 yards and 24 TDs.

"Quality and depth at the quarterback position is very important in the CFL and Drew is a big part of that for us," Stampeder GM John Hunfagel said in a statement.

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