Optimism has fallen significantly in Rider Nation.

On Monday, Mike Reilly, Bo Levi Mitchell and even Trevor Harris were thought to be the answer for a Rider team that has had three different starting quarterbacks in three years and didn’t get to a Grey Cup game.

For the first time since 2016, it appears as if the Riders will go in to the 2019 season with the same quarterback that it had the year before.

That is of little comfort to the team’s loyal followers. The frustration is warranted.

While Zach Collaros did win 10 games in 2018, he threw more interceptions than touchdowns and may have suffered two concussions along the way.

As the season gets closer, faith can be restored.

It will take a big signing or off-season trade to make that happen before May, but if it doesn’t, then there is always training camp which starts three months from now.

It’s a time when all nine teams in the league believe they have what it takes and where hope springs eternal.

These dark times will be forgotten.