Juwan Simpson is set for another season with the Red and White. 

With a sour taste lingering in his mouth from last season’s Westers Final, Simpson only has one thing on his mind.

“I want to get past the idea that we will always be a competitive team ­— I want to be a championship team,” said Simpson, who has passed up a chance at free agency next month by signing a new deal with the Stamps.

Simpson, who was part of the last Stampeders team to claim the Grey Cup and is a three-time CFL West Division all-star, knows his goal of adding another championship is not far away,

“With coach Huff and what we have going, we will always be an above-average team,” said Simpson, “But I just want to take it to that next level and win another Grey Cup.”

Heading into his seventh CFL season, the product of Decatur, Ala., knows winning a championship in this league takes more than just a good coaching. Simpson wants to offer his teammates any guidance necessary.

“Anybody who knows me knows I’m a talkative guy,” he said. “Young guys or old guys, my door’s always open.”

Last season, Simpson played primarily alongside first-year starter Deron Mayo.  The pair had instant chemistry, combining for 113 tackles and 11 sacks. Simpson feels Mayo will be vital to the Stampeders success moving forward.

“He’s a young and upcoming super star, he’s speedy and very aggressive,” said Simpson. “As a unit, a defence and a team, we need to continue getting better. Deron is going to be a big part of that.”

Simpson, who admits he’s beginning to feel like the old guard on a Stamps defence, wants to bring patience and experience to the unit.

“More film, more meeting, more mental,” he said. “I’m 29 and you have these young guys coming out of college with a full head of steam.

“Once you get six or seven years in, you realize it’s not always about athletic ability — you have to bring something different to the game.”

Rather than testing the free-agent market, Simpson feels Calgary is the best opportunity to chase his next championship.

“We have been a successful team since I’ve been here,” he said. “We’ve had this feeling for the past few years. We’ve always been a couple plays away.

“I’m motivated, and that was part of me coming back. We still have the tools. You don’t go 14-4 by accident. I really feel we have in that locker room what we need to be champions.”