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

[Booch]

set the tone...get in he ear of guys now....No reason we cant be big spenders....and target guys who dont fit last yrs ratio plan....that in itself has screwed us in FA as we had no desore of foresight to see that going in a different directing in some spots would make us better

I'd give Hutching's Agent a deal that makes him top 3rd in salary for a DT in league, and also add some bonuses to it too....I know Kyle says he doesn't like to do that...well maybe learn to like it!

I'd also grease the palm of the top WR available....If that means maybe losing BO for a guy like Mills...Butler....so be it....or just do your damn work and bring in a new back that posses' the right skill-set...they are plentiful down south.

 

[Bigblue204]

Hutchings getting a few looks in the NFL right now, but agreed he should be a main target if he gets to FA.

[Booch]

3 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

Hutchings getting a few looks in the NFL right now, but agreed he should be a main target if he gets to FA.

My opinion...where he's at currently...what he posses' skill-set wise and his ceiling still to be realized...he's the marquee guy in FA and a top guy to target

[GCn20]

41 minutes ago, Booch said:

My opinion...where he's at currently...what he posses' skill-set wise and his ceiling still to be realized...he's the marquee guy in FA and a top guy to target

I have my doubts he makes it to FA BUT IF HE DOES Kyle Walters needs to be on it and not acting like Sleepy Joe Mack.

[Mike]

1 hour ago, Booch said:

set the tone...get in he ear of guys now....No reason we cant be big spenders....and target guys who dont fit last yrs ratio plan....that in itself has screwed us in FA as we had no desore of foresight to see that going in a different directing in some spots would make us better

I'd give Hutching's Agent a deal that makes him top 3rd in salary for a DT in league, and also add some bonuses to it too....I know Kyle says he doesn't like to do that...well maybe learn to like it!

I'd also grease the palm of the top WR available....If that means maybe losing BO for a guy like Mills...Butler....so be it....or just do your damn work and bring in a new back that posses' the right skill-set...they are plentiful down south.

 

If you’re offering Hutchings a deal that makes him a top 3 paid DT, he’ll be taking a different offer. 
 

Maybe an offer that makes him a top 3 paid defensive player. That’s the kind of deal he’s going to sign if he doesn’t go to the NFL.

[GCn20]

4 minutes ago, Mike said:

If you’re offering Hutchings a deal that makes him a top 3 paid DT, he’ll be taking a different offer. 
 

Maybe an offer that makes him a top 3 paid defensive player. That’s the kind of deal he’s going to sign if he doesn’t go to the NFL.

It's going to take a boat load of cash. I'd rather spend that boat load on a generational NAT DL than BO though. Hutchings could be the Doug Brown of our DL for many years to come.

Edited 1 hour ago by GCn20

[rebusrankin]

Hutchings is an American.

[Pete]

Hutchings would be this years Orimilade, but were busy signing guys like this  https://3downnation.com/2025/12/08/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-well-traveled-offensive-lineman-tairiq-stewart/

[bigg jay]

5 minutes ago, Pete said:

Hutchings would be this years Orimilade, but were busy signing guys like this  https://3downnation.com/2025/12/08/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-well-traveled-offensive-lineman-tairiq-stewart/

Not sure what one has to do with the other?  We can't go after Hutchings yet (if ever) so why shouldn't they look at other players, especially at other positions that we need help at?

[Booch]

29 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I have my doubts he makes it to FA BUT IF HE DOES Kyle Walters needs to be on it and not acting like Sleepy Joe Mack.

yeah...I afraid he may not...thats why we need to be greasy and let it be known...we will pay up lol....

[wbbfan]

4 minutes ago, Mike said:

If you’re offering Hutchings a deal that makes him a top 3 paid DT, he’ll be taking a different offer. 
 

Maybe an offer that makes him a top 3 paid defensive player. That’s the kind of deal he’s going to sign if he doesn’t go to the NFL.

Smith is making 276, and Betts is making 266. Then Ceresna was at 246. The next highest paid defensive player in the league is Ford at 236k. 

If you pay him as a top 3 DL, I think you are in the range. Which is equivalent to a top 3 defender. 

I actually think the chances of him taking a fat deal up here are pretty good. He's 6'0, he had major knee surgery after he completed his college career, and he's 300lbs. He is very fringy in terms of size. We saw Stove go through the same thing, though Stove was a solid inch shorter and a handful of pounds lighter. Stove couldn't catch much interest down south after 19/21, but he did miss the start of the 21 season. His dominance down the stretch of 21 was 100% NFL-worthy play. 

Average DTs in the NFL are around 6'3, and they target 310-ish for weight. Some guys play under that, but it's rare to be short and light. If a team running a 30 thinks he can play the 4i, or a team running an aggressive 30 thinks he can translate at 3t, I think he gets a camp invite.  But I don't think anyone is going to give him guaranteed money going into camp, especially off 1 year's success. 

 

I would offer the guy a 3-year deal, with a 100k signing bonus, and a 100k roster bonus out of camp the following 2 years. Then I'd give a base salary of 160k a year, and incentives of 40k each year. Something like 10k for 9+ sacks, 10k for divisional all-star. 10k (555$ for each game where he starts) and 10k again, split in 555$ per game where he takes the most snaps at DT, or more than half the snaps. 

That way, if he hits the NFL window, you don't burn off-season bonus money. He earns 260-300k a year, and everyone is happy. If he gets hurt, you recoup even more bonus money than just the base from 6 game stints. 

[Booch]

21 minutes ago, Mike said:

If you’re offering Hutchings a deal that makes him a top 3 paid DT, he’ll be taking a different offer. 
 

Maybe an offer that makes him a top 3 paid defensive player. That’s the kind of deal he’s going to sign if he doesn’t go to the NFL.

yeah...should have said defensive as thats what I meant...and some juicy bonus targets on top....we wanna be on top again...we need to spend a lil in key difference making areas. Easy to recycle areas where we been wayyyy overpaying....get back to scouting and entry level guys....

 

6 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Not sure what one has to do with the other?  We can't go after Hutchings yet (if ever) so why shouldn't they look at other players, especially at other positions that we need help at?

"technically" we cant....I know other teams get in the ears of our guys pretty much as soon as last sNap of year was done...Not sure how our sleepy trio work as they rest on laurels and just assiume guys are gonna magically sign here...at some on discount...but they need to play ball like the other teams..

22 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

It's going to take a boat load of cash. I'd rather spend that boat load on a generational NAT DL than BO though. Hutchings could be the Doug Brown of our DL for many years to come.

I would too if one was available...But an import one works for me too...as it makes pretty much anyone else playing beside him that much better....and yup...If it means cutting ties with another established Canadian...warm fuzzy story player...local...what have you...You do it...Nice stories and hometown hero at a crazy price....doesnt get you the big prize gauranteed

[bigg jay]

Just now, Booch said:

"technically" we cant....I know other teams get in the ears of our guys pretty much as soon as last sNap of year was done...Not sure how our sleepy trio work as they rest on laurels and just assiume guys are gonna magically sign here...at some on discount...but they need to play ball like the other teams..

Yeah officially we can't - and even if they get a jump on things like the other teams do, we wouldn't be able to announce anything until February anyway.

[Booch]

1 minute ago, bigg jay said:

Yeah officially we can't - and even if they get a jump on things like the other teams do, we wouldn't be able to announce anything until February anyway.

of course....but early bird gets the worm....and if if anything it drives his price right through the roof to an unrealistic amount...it makes someone else eat it ...His buddy Hicks be a nice consulation price as a hybrid gy to play all over the line

[wbbfan]

8 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Not sure what one has to do with the other?  We can't go after Hutchings yet (if ever) so why shouldn't they look at other players, especially at other positions that we need help at?

I actually like the pick up of Stewart. He projects as a strong run-blocking RT. He hasn't played in the CFL in the regular season yet, but hes a big, mobile, nasty, strong pedigree in the run game, and is still young. 

I see a lot of Yoshi in Stewart, which I'm sure the other teams who've brought him in and had him around saw too. Love bringing this guy into camp to work with Marty. Maybe you look at sliding Rando to LT if big stan retires or moves inside. Probably means Lofton is done here. Sure makes it look like the OL will be more of a battle than it's been in a long time for camp. 

 

https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2023/12/22/tairiq-stewart-scouting-report-nfl-draft-2024

https://ncataggies.com/sports/football/roster/tairiq-stewart/3801

 

[bigg jay]

2 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I actually like the pick up of Stewart. He projects as a strong run-blocking RT. He hasn't played in the CFL in the regular season yet, but hes a big, mobile, nasty, strong pedigree in the run game, and is still young. 

I see a lot of Yoshi in Stewart, which I'm sure the other teams who've brought him in and had him around saw too. Love bringing this guy into camp to work with Marty. Maybe you look at sliding Rando to LT if big stan retires or moves inside. Probably means Lofton is done here. Sure makes it look like the OL will be more of a battle than it's been in a long time for camp. 

 

https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2023/12/22/tairiq-stewart-scouting-report-nfl-draft-2024

https://ncataggies.com/sports/football/roster/tairiq-stewart/3801

 

Yoshi was who came to mind when I read that article.  They kinda trash Stewart for moving around from team to team but that's how Yoshi started too.  He was with 4 different teams (2 CFL & 2 AFL) in 3 years before coming here in 2016.

[Booch]

6 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I actually like the pick up of Stewart. He projects as a strong run-blocking RT. He hasn't played in the CFL in the regular season yet, but hes a big, mobile, nasty, strong pedigree in the run game, and is still young. 

I see a lot of Yoshi in Stewart, which I'm sure the other teams who've brought him in and had him around saw too. Love bringing this guy into camp to work with Marty. Maybe you look at sliding Rando to LT if big stan retires or moves inside. Probably means Lofton is done here. Sure makes it look like the OL will be more of a battle than it's been in a long time for camp. 

 

https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2023/12/22/tairiq-stewart-scouting-report-nfl-draft-2024

https://ncataggies.com/sports/football/roster/tairiq-stewart/3801

 

he got good feet and moves real well....like his second level work...does seem a bit like Yosh...but more athletic....and yeah Cant see Lofton back with Vpool...Randolph...possibly Big Stan and this fella

2 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Yoshi was who came to mind when I read that article.  They kinda trash Stewart for moving around from team to team but that's how Yoshi started too.  He was with 4 different teams (2 CFL & 2 AFL) in 3 years before coming here in 2016.

and Yosh was a big load and in all honesty grossly overweight even for an Olineguy...This guy is not that....and sometimes chances and opportunity comes in right spot...maybe this is his spot

[GCn20]

29 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I actually like the pick up of Stewart. He projects as a strong run-blocking RT. He hasn't played in the CFL in the regular season yet, but hes a big, mobile, nasty, strong pedigree in the run game, and is still young. 

I see a lot of Yoshi in Stewart, which I'm sure the other teams who've brought him in and had him around saw too. Love bringing this guy into camp to work with Marty. Maybe you look at sliding Rando to LT if big stan retires or moves inside. Probably means Lofton is done here. Sure makes it look like the OL will be more of a battle than it's been in a long time for camp. 

 

https://www.thedraftnetwork.com/2023/12/22/tairiq-stewart-scouting-report-nfl-draft-2024

https://ncataggies.com/sports/football/roster/tairiq-stewart/3801

 

I would say no one playing in the trenches, or at IMP receiver should feel like they are pencilled in this year. What we saw from those groups was abysmal and if we don't pull out all stops to have our best camp competition in years at these positions we are not going to improve.

[Bigblue204]

52 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Not sure what one has to do with the other?  We can't go after Hutchings yet (if ever) so why shouldn't they look at other players, especially at other positions that we need help at?

We shouldn't be doing anything until we can sign the guys we can't sign. And if we can't sign the guys we can't sign yet, we should then sign the guys who we shouldn't be signing until we can sign the guys we can't yet sign. It's really not that complicated.

[Booch]

10 minutes ago, GCn20 said:

I would say no one playing in the trenches, or at IMP receiver should feel like they are pencilled in this year. What we saw from those groups was abysmal and if we don't pull out all stops to have our best camp competition in years at these positions we are not going to improve.

I'd go as far to say any position this coming yr....open competition across the board...I not saying go all rookies/new guys, but nobody should be a defacto starter like previous yrs regardless if they were here last  YR...2...3...4 YRS.....

[wbbfan]

43 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Yoshi was who came to mind when I read that article.  They kinda trash Stewart for moving around from team to team but that's how Yoshi started too.  He was with 4 different teams (2 CFL & 2 AFL) in 3 years before coming here in 2016.

Right? The highlights, too. His build, especially in college, before leaning out, but also the way he rides guys into the ground and never gives up. If he ends up being half the player Yoshi was, or half the teammate, that would be a huge steal for us. But wow, they are dead ringers for each other on the field. 

 We always muse on here about former great players becoming coaches, but Yoshi is the guy, more than the rest from the GC era, that I hope goes into it after he retires. That guy is such a fantastic person, leader, and field coach; he is exactly what the sport needs in the next generation of coaches. As much as I would love to have him end up here coaching linemen in the future as well, he could do so much good back down south coaching kids. The Tait article on Yoshi from years back is still my favorite of those articles. Such perseverance from him at so many points. 

 

[HardCoreBlue]

36 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

We shouldn't be doing anything until we can sign the guys we can't sign. And if we can't sign the guys we can't sign yet, we should then sign the guys who we shouldn't be signing until we can sign the guys we can't yet sign. It's really not that complicated.

So who are we signing?