These days, there’s no underestimating the importance of the quarterback position.

It’s long been considered the most pivotal spot on the field — and with good reason. While you may have been able to find a way to win football games 20 years ago in other ways, in today’s landscape, everything revolves around the man calling the signals — and nothing but above-average QB production will cut it.

Ask the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who were 8-2 with Darian Durant and his healthy elbow, compared to 2-6 without him.

You could also ask the Montreal Alouettes, who went from absolutely dismal quarterback play with Troy Smith at the helm to average production from Jonathan Crompton and turned their 2014 season around. The Als went from 1-7 to 9-9 in the blink of an eye.

If you need a big-picture example, take a look at the Calgary Stampeders’ recent success.

After Kevin Glenn and Drew Tate failed to get the Stamps over the hump in 2012 and 2013 — one had problems performing in big games and the other had problems staying on the field due to injuries — Bo Levi Mitchell stepped in and took the offence up another notch, eventually playing one of the best games of his season when the team needed him the most in last November’s Grey Cup win.

There are countless examples of teams’ seasons circling the drain based on one position and one position alone.

Here’s a look at the nine QB situations around the CFL heading into Week 1 of the 2015 season.

CALGARY STAMPEDERS

The starter : Bo Levi Mitchell

Best asset : Decision-making

Measurables : 6-foot-2, 196 lbs.

Age : 25

2014 stats : 264-of-417 (63.3%), 3,389 yards, 22 passing TDs, 8 INTs, 4 rushing TDs

School : Eastern Washington

What the future holds : He’s signed through 2018 and could be looking for an NFL shot then. Or he could be trying to cement his legacy even further with more Grey Cups. The sky is the limit.

The backups : Drew Tate, Bryant Moniz

Summary : You’d be hard-pressed to find a better quarterback situation in three-down football. Scratch that — there simply isn’t one. Mitchell is the player everyone is now expecting to be the face of the CFL in a couple of years, if he isn’t already after winning the Grey Cup MVP. But Stamps GM/head coach John Hufnagel and offensive coordinator Dave Dickenson know just how important the position is, which is the reason why they locked up backup Drew Tate with an extension through 2016. Don’t think Hufnagel & Co. didn’t take notice of how recent injuries to Darian Durant, Travis Lulay, Ricky Ray and Mike Reilly affected their respective teams. There’s an argument to be made that the Stampeders have two of the top five or six quarterbacks in the league in Mitchell and Tate.

SASKATCHEWAN ROUGHRIDERS

The starter : Darian Durant

Best asset : Dual-threat capabilities

Measurables : 5-foot-11, 214 lbs.

Age : 32

2014 stats : 138-of-228 (60.5%), 1,792 yards, 8 passing TDs, 5 INTs, 1 rushing TD

School : North Carolina

What the future holds : He’s the highest-paid player in the league this season, reportedly cashing in more than $500,000 this season. He’s in his QB prime right now, but he’s also coming off a torn elbow tendon.

The backups : Kevin Glenn, Brett Smith

Summary : With Durant in the lineup last season, the Riders were sitting at 8-2 and looked like they would have a good opportunity to defend the Grey Cup they won in front of the home fans in 2013. But that all changed when he took a crushing blow from Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive tackle Bryant Turner and his right arm folded in all sorts of directions. Durant never made it back to the field in 2014, and what ensued was hard on the eyes, as recently released Tino Sunseri and Seth Doege both took turns throwing it to the other team. Eventually, desperation mode set in and 41-year-old Kerry Joseph was called in off the couch — with predictably bad results. But lessons were learned and the Riders addressed the quarterback spot this off-season, bringing in Kevin Glenn to caddy for Durant and give them a serviceable option should No. 4 go down again.

HAMILTON TIGER-CATS

The starter : Zach Collaros

Best asset : Mobility

Measurables : 6-foot, 217 lbs.

Age : 26

2014 stats : 279-of-424 (65.8%), 3,261 yards, 15 passing TDs, 9 INTs, 2 rushing TDs

School : Cincinnati

What the future holds : After stepping in for Ricky Ray in Toronto, Collaros earned himself a three-year deal with the Tabbies that pays him low-end starter money. He’ll be in line for a big raise soon if he takes another step.

The backups : Jeff Mathews, Jeremiah Masoli, Jacory Harris

Summary : His Grey Cup performance — 25-of-33 for 342 yards and a touchdown — was sensational last November, and if it wasn’t for Bo Levi Mitchell, we could be talking about Collaros a lot more right now. Collaros goes about his business in an outside-the-box sort of way, freelancing to make plays, keeping teams honest with his feet, and then picking teams apart in the short- and mid-range passing game. Many were surprised when the Ticats went out and beat the free-agent market to Collaros and got him signed, but the move is looking like a coup for Tabbies GM/head coach Kent Austin, who dumped aging Henry Burris for a long-term option and then went straight back to the Grey Cup. Collaros did miss time last season with a concussion, and should he go down again, the options behind the 26-year-old are not exactly awe-inspiring. He needs to stay upright in 2015.

EDMONTON ESKIMOS

The starter : Mike Reilly

Best asset : Toughness

Measurables : 6-foot-3, 230 lbs.

Age : 30

2014 stats : 288-of-446 (64.6%), 3,327 yards, 16 passing TDs, 11 INTs, 8 rushing TDs

School : Central Washington

What the future holds : While Reilly is heading into just his third year as a starter, he’s already 30 years old. There’s a chance Reilly and Mitchell go toe-to-toe for the next half-decade, but Reilly needs some more weapons than just Adarius Bowman.

The backups : Matt Nichols, Jordan Lynch, James Franklin

Summary : Somewhere inside Reilly there’s a big, bruising linebacker that just loves contact. While that has made him an easy player for teammates and fans to love and respect, it’s also made for a whole lot of Reilly playing at less than 100%. During the two most important parts of the 2014 schedule — the Labour Day series with the West-leading Stampeders, and then the West final — Reilly either wasn’t on the field (thumb injury in September) or was severely limited (foot injury in November). He more often than not guts it out and still suits up, but you have to wonder how much punishment he can take. When Reilly is healthy, however, he wins with his ability to get out of the pocket, run over a DB with his 230-pound frame, or simply stand in the pocket and use his accurate arm to make a play. Nichols saw a whole lot of action last year, throwing the football 151 times, but he’ll have to do much better than a 4:5 TD-to-interception ratio.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS

The starter : Trevor Harris

Best asset : Poise in pocket

Measurables : 6-foot-3, 212 lbs.

Age : 29

2014 stats : 42-of-60 (70%), 449 yards, 2 passing TDs, 1 INT, 0 rushing TDs

School : Edinboro

What the future holds : Harris is in the same position Zach Collaros was in during the 2013 season, stepping in for an injured Ricky Ray. The only difference is Harris is already 29 and has just 94 pass attempts. A good start to the season would be nice for Harris’ resume.

The backups : Adrian McPherson, Mitchell Gale, Logan Kilgore

The injured : Ricky Ray (six-game injured list to start season)

Summary : Here’s where things start to get interesting, mostly due to injuries. Surgery. Torn labrum. Throwing shoulder. Those are three things no one who throws something for a living wants to hear. But that’s what Ray endured over the off-season, and the 35-year-old will sit out at least a third of the year. If there was any level of certainty that Ray — who is a franchise quarterback when he’s 100% — would return fully healthy in mid-August, the Boatmen would be much higher on this list. But that simply isn’t the case, with Travis Lulay providing a cautionary tale. With a healed Ray, the Argos will be in the hunt late, but it’s Harris’ job to make sure they stay afloat early on. He seems to fit the dink-and-dunk system the Double-blue employ, but the sample size is limited so far. It says a lot that the Argos went out during training camp and inked Adrian McPherson, who last played in the CFL in 2012. If it comes to that, the Argos are in trouble.

WINNIPEG BLUE BOMBERS

The starter : Drew Willy

Best asset : Decision-making

Measurables : 6-foot-4, 221 lbs.

Age : 28

2014 stats : 305-of-478 (63.8%), 3,769 passing yards, 14 passing TDs, 16 INTs, 2 rushing TDs

School : Buffalo

What the future holds : Instead of seeing what was in store for Willy in his second full season as a starter, the Bombers decided a contract extension through 2017 was in order. Behind an improved offensive line, it’s a big season for the New Jersey native.

The backups : Brian Brohm, Robert Marve, Josh Portis

Summary : Willy and the Bombers couldn’t have asked for a better start to a marriage that came to be when he was dealt from the Roughriders prior to last season. He threw four touchdowns in a season-opening win over the Argos, and everyone in Bomberville was loving life. Willy threw just 10 touchdowns the rest of the way, as a leaky offensive line gave the 6-foot-4 signal-caller precious little time to find an open receiver, let alone get the football to him. Because of that, the jury is still out on Willy as a CFL starter. On a good day, he looks a little bit like Bo Levi Mitchell, using his intelligence, toughness and underrated ability to move the offence. On a bad day, he looks erratic and can make poor decisions, but that will happen when you’re being chased all over the field. Despite the contract, Willy’s leash may not be overly long, as Brian Brohm, 29, is liked by the coaching staff and Robert Marve, 26, has provided a spark and made some plays in limited action.

B.C. LIONS

The starter : Travis Lulay

Best asset : Decision making

Measurables : 6-foot-2, 216 lbs.

Age : 31

2014 stats : 22-of-35 (62.9%), 194 yards, 0 passing TDs, 0 INTs, 0 rushing TDs

School : Montana State

What the future holds : Is ‘Who knows’ a sufficient answer? Lulay is one of the biggest question marks in the league heading into the regular season. He played in just two games last year due to a wonky shoulder. If he’s all right, he’s still one of the best.

The backups : Jonathan Jennings, Greg McGhee, John Beck (on disabled list)

Summary : It was a nightmare year for Lulay, as he finally returned to the active roster from off-season throwing-shoulder surgery — the exact same position Ricky Ray is in this year — in late August and then made his first start during the first week of September. But late in that game in Ottawa, Lulay hit the turf writhing in pain and the worst was confirmed: Another injury to the same shoulder. Many immediately wondered if the redhead’s career was over, but instead of going under the knife again, the 2011 MOP decided to rehab the injury. Lulay sat out the exhibition opener before returning last week with an 8-of-13 performance that saw him rack up 121 yards through the air and a touchdown. New head coach Jeff Tedford and offensive coordinator George Cortez could bring the best out of Lulay, if health allows it. Otherwise, the Leos will be turning to untested Jonathan Jennings or potentially former Miami Dolphins second-round pick John Beck, who is currently sidelined by a virus.

MONTREAL ALOUETTES

The starter : Jonathan Crompton

Best asset : Arm strength

Measurables : 6-foot-4, 225 lbs.

Age : 27

2014 stats : 179-of-308 (58.1%), 2,482 yards, 11 passing TDs, 8 INTs, 0 rushing TDs

School : Tennessee

What the future holds : It’s a make-or-break year for Crompton. Wait, scratch that. It’s a make-or-break first month for Crompton, who took over from an inefficient Troy Smith last season and performed admirably. He’s likely destined to be a backup down the road.

The backups : Dan LeFevour, Brandon Bridge, Rakeem Cato

Summary : If you want to know why the East Division lags behind its western counterparts, simply look at the quarterback position. Last season was an interesting one for the Als, as they tried to find a solution at quarterback for the first time in what seemed like forever thanks to the extended greatness of Anthony Calvillo. In the big picture, Crompton was simply adequate, and while it was enough to get the Alouettes to .500 and into the playoffs, it won’t be enough to keep his job long, especially with Dan LeFevour now in the fold. Signed by the Als in February, the former Central Michigan dual-threat star was playing well for the Ticats last season, before tearing up his knee in August. If LeFevour is healthy, he’ll see the field lots and could eventually beat out Crompton for the QB1 job. Behind those two are a pair of intriguing, high-upside youngsters in Toronto native Brandon Bridge, a fourth-round pick out of South Alabama, and Rakeem Cato, a star last season at Marshall.

OTTAWA REDBLACKS

The starter : Henry Burris

Best asset : Arm strength

Measurables : 6-foot-1, 190 lbs.

Age : 40

2014 stats : 315-of-517 (60.9%), 3,728 yards, 11 passing TDs, 14 INTs, 2 rushing TDs

School : Temple

What the future holds : Burris is a 40-year-old signal-caller on a team heading into its second season of existence. It’s the definition of a stop-gap situation. Burris has another year on his contract after this one, but will he still be the starter in 2016?

The backups : Thomas DeMarco, Danny O’Brien, Brock Jensen