Blue Bombers -- 2025/26 Offseason -- Discussion Thread

[johnzo]

Per 3downnation, these are our free agents ... basically everyone but Zach, Vaval, Peterson, Clercius, Randolph, Wallace, Pokey Wilson, MCI, Allen, T. Jones, and Leroux the longsnapper.  

Quarterback

Chris Streveler (A)

Running back

Brady Oliveira (N)

Receiver

Kody Case (A)
Nic Demski (N)
Dillon Mitchell (A)
Dalton Schoen (A)
Jerreth Sterns (A)
Keric Wheatfall (A)

OL

Stanley Bryant (A)
Tui Eli (N)
Chris Kolankowski (N)
Eric Lofton (A)
Patrick Neufeld (N)

Defensive line

Willie Jefferson (A)
Cameron Lawson (N)
Tanner Schmekel (N)
Jake Thomas (N)
James Vaughters (A)
Jamal Woods (A)

Linebacker

Tanner Cadwallader (N)
Shayne Gauthier (N)
Kyrie Wilson (A)

Defensive back

Terrell Bonds (A)
Michael Griffin II (A)
Nick Hallett (N)
Evan Holm (A)
Demerio Houston (A)
Redha Kramdi (N)
Enock Makonzo (N)
Deatrick Nichols (A)
Jamal Parker (A)

Specialist

Sergio Castillo (A)
Jamieson Sheahan (G)

Edited 17 hours ago by johnzo

[Brandon]

5 hours ago, johnzo said:

Per 3downnation, these are our free agents ... basically everyone but Zach, Vaval, Peterson, Clercius, Randolph, Wallace, Pokey Wilson, MCI, Allen, T. Jones, and Leroux the longsnapper.  

Quarterback

Chris Streveler (A)

Running back

Brady Oliveira (N)

Receiver

Kody Case (A)
Nic Demski (N)
Dillon Mitchell (A)
Dalton Schoen (A)
Jerreth Sterns (A)
Keric Wheatfall (A)

OL

Stanley Bryant (A)
Tui Eli (N)
Chris Kolankowski (N)
Eric Lofton (A)
Patrick Neufeld (N)

Defensive line

Willie Jefferson (A)
Cameron Lawson (N)
Tanner Schmekel (N)
Jake Thomas (N)
James Vaughters (A)
Jamal Woods (A)

Linebacker

Tanner Cadwallader (N)
Shayne Gauthier (N)
Kyrie Wilson (A)

Defensive back

Terrell Bonds (A)
Michael Griffin II (A)
Nick Hallett (N)
Evan Holm (A)
Demerio Houston (A)
Redha Kramdi (N)
Enock Makonzo (N)
Deatrick Nichols (A)
Jamal Parker (A)

Specialist

Sergio Castillo (A)
Jamieson Sheahan (G)

I bolded the guys that I would like to see come back.   A good year for a big turnover of players (preferably younger guys). 

Brady,  Holm,  Demski,  Nichols are all guys that they really need not cheap out on.  

Cutting old guards like Bryant, Jefferson, and Neufeld should give them some good play money to spend come free agency.  

[SpeedFlex27]

12 hours ago, Brandon said:

I bolded the guys that I would like to see come back.   A good year for a big turnover of players (preferably younger guys). 

Brady,  Holm,  Demski,  Nichols are all guys that they really need not cheap out on.  

Cutting old guards like Bryant, Jefferson, and Neufeld should give them some good play money to spend come free agency.  

Lofton wasn't the problem on our OL & really neither was Bryant. Who says Neufeld can't play Center as Booch suggested so get rid of Kolo. have Eli & Neufeld compete for the starting Center position with the loser being the 6th OL. I think Bryant should retire. Vanterpool played well at Guard. I'd switch him over to Neufeld's spot. We should go after the best LT we can in free agency. That being said, we need to replenish so signing one impact free agent on the line would do us well. 

Our receiving corps needs to vastly improve. other than Wilson & Demski we should revamp. Wheatfall is very inconsistent. He disappears for games on end. If he can continually play at a high level he may become a great receiver. he's worth bringing back. Schoen shouldn't be brought back. Let him go. if he has a great year somewhere else then good for him but as far as our team goes, it's just too risky. 

Oliveira, no question bring back. 

QB? Zach should be back. I'd bring Wilson back but Streveler not a chance. Everything hinges on Elgersma signing. 

Fire Hogan. 

Castillo is a no brainer.

Our problem on the DL wasn't the Ends but the T ckles. We need to cut Thomas. We also need to upgrade with size, skill & physicality on our Interior DL. Another 300 lb plus DT who can control A & B gap ion a 3 or 4 man front. Linebackers. I've seen worse but really could always improve. Our secondary is our strength. Houston to me fit right in there. I'd keep him until someone better comes along. 

Edited 6 hours ago by SpeedFlex27

[Bigblue204]

7 hours ago, Brandon said:

I bolded the guys that I would like to see come back.   A good year for a big turnover of players (preferably younger guys). 

Brady,  Holm,  Demski,  Nichols are all guys that they really need not cheap out on.  

Cutting old guards like Bryant, Jefferson, and Neufeld should give them some good play money to spend come free agency.  

Sterns should be a priority imo. Along with Woods/Vaughters and Jefferson, those guys can still get after it. They just need the right rotation and scheme. Not sure what you see in Bonds. I'd take Houston before him along with Makonzo and Kramdi. Parker can hit the road imo. He's been talked up big on this board but was often a liability out there outside of not being able to stay healthy. They can 100% find a punter better than Sheahan. Especially with the new rules coming, they need to prioritize a guy who kick the ball sky high (on side punts will hopefully be big). 

I'd also bring back every Olineman. No team will be succesful with that amount of turnover on the Oline. It's 100% a recipe for disaster. Bring them back, let them fight it out in camp and ideally you find a body or two there to replace the old timers.

 

[blue85gold]

Not a long list of must sign guys in my opinion:

Running back

Brady Oliveira (N)

Receiver

Nic Demski (N)
 

OL

Stanley Bryant (A) - maybe if he's feeling good and doesn't want tons of $
Tui Eli (N) - not for starter money
 

Defensive line

Cameron Lawson (N) - not  huge money because he can't seem to stay that healthy
 

Defensive back

Michael Griffin II (A)
Evan Holm (A)
Deatrick Nichols (A)
 

Specialist

Sergio Castillo (A) - unless we can get a Cdn or global to stop using a DI spot
 

[wbbfan]

3 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Lofton wasn't the problem on our OL & really neither was Bryant. Who says Neufeld can't play Center as Booch suggested so get rid of Kolo. have Eli & Neufeld compete for the starting Center position with the loser being the 6th OL. I think Bryant should retire. Vanterpool played well at Guard. I'd switch him over to Neufeld's spot. We should go after the best LT we can in free agency. That being said, we need to replenish so signing one impact free agent on the line would do us well. 

Our receiving corps needs to vastly improve. other than Wilson & Demski we should revamp. Wheatfall is very inconsistent. He disappears for games on end. If he can continually play at a high level he may become a great receiver. he's worth bringing back. Schoen shouldn't be brought back. Let him go. if he has a great year somewhere else then good for him but as far as our team goes, it's just too risky. 

Oliveira, no question bring back. 

QB? Zach should be back. I'd bring Wilson back but Streveler not a chance. Everything hinges on Elgersma signing. 

Fire Hogan. 

Castillo is a no brainer.

Our problem on the DL wasn't the Ends but the T ckles. We need to cut Thomas. We also need to upgrade with size, skill & physicality on our Interior DL. Another 300 lb plus DT who can control A & B gap ion a 3 or 4 man front. Linebackers. I've seen worse but really could always improve. Our secondary is our strength. Houston to me fit right in there. I'd keep him until someone better comes along. 

Just a note, lofton hasn’t figured in this last year. Randolph was the rt starter. Between rando and vanterpool I’m pretty happy with our imp ol talent. Gotta dig up new guys every year, and I think we need to be starting 3 imps minimum 

[SpeedFlex27]

7 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Just a note, lofton hasn’t figured in this last year. Randolph was the rt starter. Between rando and vanterpool I’m pretty happy with our imp ol talent. Gotta dig up new guys every year, and I think we need to be starting 3 imps minimum 

Randolph, yes. Thanks for pointing that out. 

[rebusrankin]

Call me crazy but I would not bring Jefferson back. I don't think he's worth 200k.

[GCn20]

24 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Just a note, lofton hasn’t figured in this last year. Randolph was the rt starter. Between rando and vanterpool I’m pretty happy with our imp ol talent. Gotta dig up new guys every year, and I think we need to be starting 3 imps minimum 

ATM. I'm not seeing how we can compete otherwise. Unless we go big in FA at NAT OL, we don't have the horses in house to be a good OL without 3 IMPs. I would target a good NAT OL if I were Walters replacement.

1 minute ago, rebusrankin said:

Call me crazy but I would not bring Jefferson back. I don't think he's worth 200k.

I'm with you on that. If he takes a shave fine, but not at 200k. Those days are behind him.

1 hour ago, Bigblue204 said:

Sterns should be a priority imo. Along with Woods/Vaughters and Jefferson, those guys can still get after it. They just need the right rotation and scheme. Not sure what you see in Bonds. I'd take Houston before him along with Makonzo and Kramdi. Parker can hit the road imo. He's been talked up big on this board but was often a liability out there outside of not being able to stay healthy. They can 100% find a punter better than Sheahan. Especially with the new rules coming, they need to prioritize a guy who kick the ball sky high (on side punts will hopefully be big). 

I'd also bring back every Olineman. No team will be succesful with that amount of turnover on the Oline. It's 100% a recipe for disaster. Bring them back, let them fight it out in camp and ideally you find a body or two there to replace the old timers.

 

I would not bring back every OL, but you are right a couple newcomers could make all the difference.

Edited 3 hours ago by GCn20

[johnzo]

Not sure why people are eager to move on from Neuf.  Wouldn't be easy to replace at the same skill level, passport, experience, and durability -- he started all 18 games last year.  Of course, he's at the age where he might decide for us, or where he might suddenly break down.  It astonishes me that guards can play into their late thirties.  Is guard the most physically punishing position on the field?

Jefferson is too expensive for the one or two games he wrecks every season.  Or maybe he could still be consistently dominant if got spelled off once in awhile?  I dunno.

Saw Cadwallader make good plays on teams all year, so would like to see him stay.

We seem to be able to dig up great DBs every year so I don't know how critical it is to retain / give raises to any of our DBs.

Edited 59 minutes ago by johnzo

[bearpants]

just for fun... bolded my hopeful returnees... some have some caveats attached... others are obvious

Quarterback

Chris Streveler (A)

Running back

Brady Oliveira (N)

Receiver

Kody Case (A)
Nic Demski (N)
Dillon Mitchell (A)
Dalton Schoen (A)
Jerreth Sterns (A)
Keric Wheatfall (A) - can't get rid of everyone but he should be fighting for a job

OL

Stanley Bryant (A) - at the right price and if he's still up for it
Tui Eli (N)
Chris Kolankowski (N)
Eric Lofton (A)
Patrick Neufeld (N) - shouldn't be handed a job, would make a nice 6th man

Defensive line

Willie Jefferson (A) - should have more DEs on the roster leading to reduced snaps (and reduced money)
Cameron Lawson (N)
Tanner Schmekel (N)
Jake Thomas (N)
James Vaughters (A) - same as Jefferson
Jamal Woods (A)

Linebacker

Tanner Cadwallader (N) - still need some ST specialists, he's one of the good ones
Shayne Gauthier (N)
Kyrie Wilson (A)

Defensive back

Terrell Bonds (A) - was his 2024 season an anomaly... or was he just hurt in 2025?
Michael Griffin II (A)
Nick Hallett (N)
Evan Holm (A)
Demerio Houston (A)
Redha Kramdi (N) - maybe not at a superstar contract... but versatile, talented Canadians are always valuable. 
Enock Makonzo (N) - sat on IR all year... assuming he can play like some have said
Deatrick Nichols (A)
Jamal Parker (A)

Specialist

Sergio Castillo (A)
Jamieson Sheahan (G) - I'm fine with him but I would bring in another Cdn or Glb punter for a real competition 

[SpeedFlex27]

17 minutes ago, johnzo said:

Not sure why people are eager to move on from Neuf.  Wouldn't be easy to replace at the same skill level, passport, experience, and durability -- he started all 18 games last year.  Of course, he's at the age where he might decide for us, or where he might suddenly break down.  It astonishes me that guards can play into their late thirties.  Is guard the most physically punishing position on the field?

Jefferson is too expensive for the one or two games he wrecks every season.  Or maybe he could still be consistently dominant if got spelled off once in awhile?  I dunno.

Saw Cadwallader make good plays on teams all year, so would like to see him stay.

We seem to be able to dig up great DBs every year so I don't know how critical it is to retain / give raises to any of our DBs.

I'd like to see Neufeld slide over to Center.

[WinnipegGordo]

Players that are signed for next year. Not alot of meat on the bone.

Zach Collaros -8    QB  A
Terry Wilson -3   QB  A 
Chase Artopoeus -12  QB  A
                   
Michael Chris-Ike -25  RB  N
Matthew Peterson -22 RB  N

Kevens Clercius -86  WR  N
Gavin Cobb -82  WR  N
Joey Corcoran -81  WR  N
Cam Echols -15  WR  A
Ontaria Wilson -80  WR  A

Gabe Wallace -61  OL  N
Kendall Randolph -69  OL  A
Micah Vanterpool -68  OL  A
Ethan Vibert -62  OL  N
   
Ian Leroux -42  LS  N 
Peyton Logan -4  KR/RB  A
Trey Vaval -23  KR/DB  A
                                     
K Munier-Bailey -45  DE  G
Matt Jaworski -56  DL  A
Kydran Jenkins -54  DL  A

Michael Ayers -49  LB  A 
Tony Jones -33  LB  A 
Lane Novak -48  LB  N 
Ethan Ball -29  LB/DB  N
Jaylen Smith -39  LB  N 
Connor Shay -34  LB  N
             
Jake Kelly -16  DB  N
Cam Allen -0  DB  A
Dexter Lawson, Jr. -27  DB  A
Jaiden Woodbey -26  DB/LB  A
Ridge Texada -37  DB  A 
Major Williams -41  DB  A

[wbbfan]

2 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

Call me crazy but I would not bring Jefferson back. I don't think he's worth 200k.

I wouldn't bring him back for half that to start. I'd only bring him back on a cheap deal with some incentives if he is the fake canadian on the roster and we rotate him heavily at end. 

3 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

I'd like to see Neufeld slide over to Center.

 

21 minutes ago, johnzo said:

Not sure why people are eager to move on from Neuf.  Wouldn't be easy to replace at the same skill level, passport, experience, and durability -- he started all 18 games last year.  Of course, he's at the age where he might decide for us, or where he might suddenly break down.  It astonishes me that guards can play into their late thirties.  Is guard the most physically punishing position on the field?

Jefferson is too expensive for the one or two games he wrecks every season.  Or maybe he could still be consistently dominant if got spelled off once in awhile?  I dunno.

Saw Cadwallader make good plays on teams all year, so would like to see him stay.

We seem to be able to dig up great DBs every year so I don't know how critical it is to retain / give raises to any of our DBs.

Neuf hasn't been the same for a couple of years now. But none of our guards, since Desjarlais, have lived up to much of anything.

If you get rid of Kola, I think you can bring back the rest of the ol, to compete with the young guys and bringing in 1 FA, then see how goodthe  guys are when they aren't playing next to the worst linemen the league has seen in at least 10 years. This includes DL being forced into action on the OL. 

I would love to see a Bryant get a shot at G, Neuf at C, maybe lofton at G, and Vanterpool at T. If vanterpool doesn't crack it at T, he should be penned in at G next year. 
Once you subtract kola, a lot of guys will likely look a lot better. 

 

 

1 minute ago, WinnipegGordo said:

Players that are signed for next year. Not alot of meat on the bone.

Zach Collaros -8    QB  A
Terry Wilson -3   QB  A 
Chase Artopoeus -12  QB  A
                   
Michael Chris-Ike -25  RB  N
Matthew Peterson -22 RB  N

Kevens Clercius -86  WR  N
Gavin Cobb -82  WR  N
Joey Corcoran -81  WR  N
Cam Echols -15  WR  A
Ontaria Wilson -80  WR  A

Gabe Wallace -61  OL  N
Kendall Randolph -69  OL  A
Micah Vanterpool -68  OL  A
Ethan Vibert -62  OL  N
   
Ian Leroux -42  LS  N 
Peyton Logan -4  KR/RB  A
Trey Vaval -23  KR/DB  A
                                     
K Munier-Bailey -45  DE  G
Matt Jaworski -56  DL  A
Kydran Jenkins -54  DL  A

Michael Ayers -49  LB  A 
Tony Jones -33  LB  A 
Lane Novak -48  LB  N 
Ethan Ball -29  LB/DB  N
Jaylen Smith -39  LB  N 
Connor Shay -34  LB  N
             
Jake Kelly -16  DB  N
Cam Allen -0  DB  A
Dexter Lawson, Jr. -27  DB  A
Jaiden Woodbey -26  DB/LB  A
Ridge Texada -37  DB  A 
Major Williams -41  DB  A

Sadly that is the state of the league these days. 

The good news is that NI crop, plus a depth FA or two, and a good draft will be very nice. 

 

15 minutes ago, bearpants said:

just for fun... bolded my hopeful returnees... some have some caveats attached... others are obvious

Quarterback

Chris Streveler (A)

Running back

Brady Oliveira (N)

Receiver

Kody Case (A)
Nic Demski (N)
Dillon Mitchell (A)
Dalton Schoen (A)
Jerreth Sterns (A)
Keric Wheatfall (A) - can't get rid of everyone but he should be fighting for a job

OL

Stanley Bryant (A) - at the right price and if he's still up for it
Tui Eli (N)
Chris Kolankowski (N)
Eric Lofton (A)
Patrick Neufeld (N) - shouldn't be handed a job, would make a nice 6th man

Defensive line

Willie Jefferson (A) - should have more DEs on the roster leading to reduced snaps (and reduced money)
Cameron Lawson (N)
Tanner Schmekel (N)
Jake Thomas (N)
James Vaughters (A) - same as Jefferson
Jamal Woods (A)

Linebacker

Tanner Cadwallader (N) - still need some ST specialists, he's one of the good ones
Shayne Gauthier (N)
Kyrie Wilson (A)

Defensive back

Terrell Bonds (A) - was his 2024 season an anomaly... or was he just hurt in 2025?
Michael Griffin II (A)
Nick Hallett (N)
Evan Holm (A)
Demerio Houston (A)
Redha Kramdi (N) - maybe not at a superstar contract... but versatile, talented Canadians are always valuable. 
Enock Makonzo (N) - sat on IR all year... assuming he can play like some have said
Deatrick Nichols (A)
Jamal Parker (A)

Specialist

Sergio Castillo (A)
Jamieson Sheahan (G) - I'm fine with him but I would bring in another Cdn or Glb punter for a real competition 

I think you nailed it here. I would add Lofton back at vet min wouldn't be bad for camp. Shouldn't be at the expense of adding a high end ol this off season though.

Glad some one recognized how important Cadwallader is on teams here, not just kick cover either, he is a teams stud on each unit. Does soo much more than just run and tackle.

I like Gauthier, but Idk if he has another year in him at a high enough leve. It didn't seem like he had it this year either tbh. And we have a glut both at Lber and with NI lbers. 

[HardCoreBlue]

Controlling for MOS heading east or not, who we re-sign, cut outright, re-do contracts, invite to camp etc if management/coaching staff point to a 10-8 2025 record reference five straight Grey Cup appearances prior to that so business as usual approach with minor tweaks approach to 2026 we be in trouble. One doesn't have to be football expert to know that.

The first order of business to help send messages in how 2026 is going to be approached is let our OC go, offer a few players the option to retire/help them seek other employment and if offers are not taken release them outright.

I would love to be a fly on the wall for upcoming discussions between management/coaches/scouting department and how they plan to approach 2026.