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

[M.O.A.B.]

Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-sign American DB Michael Griffin for 2026 CFL season - 3DownNation

 

[Booch]

13 minutes ago, M.O.A.B. said:

Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-sign American DB Michael Griffin for 2026 CFL season - 3DownNation

 

Nice..this is a key signing...one of the have to have back ones in my opinion as he just coming into his own...he physical..one our better tacklers...can play any of the db spots and guys dont realize hes 220+ pounds..and can cover...hed make a solid WIL too if given the opportunity...and was our best SAM last yr

[wbbfan]

3 hours ago, bustamente said:

The guy on the line who needs to take big strides in his game is Gabe Wallace, maybe a new centre helps with his progression.

wallace played the best of our guards outside of vanterpool. It was his first full season and first time being a semi regular starter. The fire is pretty far from his feet. 

 Eli, is the one who needs to step up most. After that, it’s bryant. We have a good few imps to push him, and we are going to see some very good imp tackles hit free agency. 

Wallace is more than fine if he continues his progress at the same rate. 

2 hours ago, Blue In BC said:

The catch about upfront money is if an injury occurs ( like Schoen ). He did miss 5 games in 2025 and 10 over the last 3 seasons.    You don't have to provide a significant signing bonus or have an off season bonus. It's all risk analysis. 

In theory he won't be a target in either Hamilton or BC so his options are becoming limited. We should speak with his agent and find out.

imo, upfront money is the way to get him and at a good over all price. 

 

https://3downnation.com/2026/01/18/b-c-lions-gm-ryan-rigmaiden-sounds-alarm-about-nils-effect-on-future-of-cfl-qbs/

The only thing i’d add to rigmaidens comments is, it’s not coming. it’s already been here. And it’s nil+ nfls expansion of pr and pr compensation. 

We already don’t see the guys who have any real success at good schools. We’ve lost first and second pick over of the former pipeline schools like bigsky, basically once a qb is 4/5star in hs, we’ve lost out on an opportunity with them unless they fully crash out of the nfl or blow all that money. Even then, the usfl is more attractive to those guys despite the less money. 

 

the days of 80-90k qbs with some upside is over. I think a second salary increase should partly be used to split the cap with qbs. The floor needs to be 150-200k for us to attract the talent the league desperately needs. 
 Teams should have a floor 1million on ar qbs. It’s an investment in the league and game it self. 500k for the starter, 250-300k for qb3 and 200-250k for qb3. If your top tier qbs are earning 750k-1million each, instead of 500-700k you have a much better ability to attract young qb with upside talent and success. 

2 hours ago, Booch said:

Nice..this is a key signing...one of the have to have back ones in my opinion as he just coming into his own...he physical..one our better tacklers...can play any of the db spots and guys dont realize hes 220+ pounds..and can cover...hed make a solid WIL too if given the opportunity...and was our best SAM last yr

Yeah. Allen to corner, kramdi to s and griffin to sam would be awesome. 

pretty much just sergio to re up now 

[Stickem]

The Griffin signing is an excellent move....Paddy also re-upped for a year won't hurt.....IF we can make a couple of solid adds in fa, things are coming together nicely.....

[rebusrankin]

1 minute ago, Stickem said:

The Griffin signing is an excellent move....Paddy also re-upped for a year won't hurt.....IF we can make a couple of solid adds in fa, things are coming together nicely.....

[Booch]

31 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

wallace played the best of our guards outside of vanterpool. It was his first full season and first time being a semi regular starter. The fire is pretty far from his feet. 

 Eli, is the one who needs to step up most. After that, it’s bryant. We have a good few imps to push him, and we are going to see some very good imp tackles hit free agency. 

Wallace is more than fine if he continues his progress at the same rate. 

imo, upfront money is the way to get him and at a good over all price. 

 

https://3downnation.com/2026/01/18/b-c-lions-gm-ryan-rigmaiden-sounds-alarm-about-nils-effect-on-future-of-cfl-qbs/

The only thing i’d add to rigmaidens comments is, it’s not coming. it’s already been here. And it’s nil+ nfls expansion of pr and pr compensation. 

We already don’t see the guys who have any real success at good schools. We’ve lost first and second pick over of the former pipeline schools like bigsky, basically once a qb is 4/5star in hs, we’ve lost out on an opportunity with them unless they fully crash out of the nfl or blow all that money. Even then, the usfl is more attractive to those guys despite the less money. 

 

the days of 80-90k qbs with some upside is over. I think a second salary increase should partly be used to split the cap with qbs. The floor needs to be 150-200k for us to attract the talent the league desperately needs. 
 Teams should have a floor 1million on ar qbs. It’s an investment in the league and game it self. 500k for the starter, 250-300k for qb3 and 200-250k for qb3. If your top tier qbs are earning 750k-1million each, instead of 500-700k you have a much better ability to attract young qb with upside talent and success. 

Yeah. Allen to corner, kramdi to s and griffin to sam would be awesome. 

pretty much just sergio to re up now 

Allen on a corner..Griffin at SAM..Woodbey at Will..Kramdi patrolling the middle...Nichols and Holm in their spots..that's a pretty versatile starting core and would allow a lot of different looks Younger could install

Now if we get a couple disruptor DT's to go with Lawson...2 ends with motors who can allow WJ to play a limited rotational just get after the QB role with Bailey's unique skill set sprinkled in we could see circa 2019-2021 style defence again

[wbbfan]

10 minutes ago, Booch said:

Allen on a corner..Griffin at SAM..Woodbey at Will..Kramdi patrolling the middle...Nichols and Holm in their spots..that's a pretty versatile starting core and would allow a lot of different looks Younger could install

Now if we get a couple disruptor DT's to go with Lawson...2 ends with motors who can allow WJ to play a limited rotational just get after the QB role with Bailey's unique skill set sprinkled in we could see circa 2019-2021 style defence again

Yep. Plus, lots of athletic Canadians to rotate all over. 

[Pete]

17 minutes ago, Booch said:

Allen on a corner..Griffin at SAM..Woodbey at Will..Kramdi patrolling the middle...Nichols and Holm in their spots..that's a pretty versatile starting core and would allow a lot of different looks Younger could install

Now if we get a couple disruptor DT's to go with Lawson...2 ends with motors who can allow WJ to play a limited rotational just get after the QB role with Bailey's unique skill set sprinkled in we could see circa 2019-2021 style defence again

Do we know if Allen can play corner? I don't remember him taking any reps last year at anything other than safety

[Booch]

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

Yep. Plus, lots of athletic Canadians to rotate all over. 

Yeah shay and Smith need to be integrated and hopefully makonzo is signed and stays healthy

54 minutes ago, Pete said:

Do we know if Allen can play corner? I don't remember him taking any reps last year at anything other than safety

He can play corner..pretty much any db brought up here can easily play corner or safety as its pretty much a easy transition for most part coming from the u.s...halfback not so much...

[wbbfan]

1 hour ago, Pete said:

Do we know if Allen can play corner? I don't remember him taking any reps last year at anything other than safety

He did. In camp he played about as much corner as S, maybe a bit more. Then he played both in pre season, and was forced into action at corner for one game before he started at S as well. 

[bb1]

3 hours ago, wbbfan said:

wallace played the best of our guards outside of vanterpool. It was his first full season and first time being a semi regular starter. The fire is pretty far from his feet. 

 Eli, is the one who needs to step up most. After that, it’s bryant. We have a good few imps to push him, and we are going to see some very good imp tackles hit free agency. 

Wallace is more than fine if he continues his progress at the same rate. 

imo, upfront money is the way to get him and at a good over all price. 

 

https://3downnation.com/2026/01/18/b-c-lions-gm-ryan-rigmaiden-sounds-alarm-about-nils-effect-on-future-of-cfl-qbs/

The only thing i’d add to rigmaidens comments is, it’s not coming. it’s already been here. And it’s nil+ nfls expansion of pr and pr compensation. 

We already don’t see the guys who have any real success at good schools. We’ve lost first and second pick over of the former pipeline schools like bigsky, basically once a qb is 4/5star in hs, we’ve lost out on an opportunity with them unless they fully crash out of the nfl or blow all that money. Even then, the usfl is more attractive to those guys despite the less money. 

 

the days of 80-90k qbs with some upside is over. I think a second salary increase should partly be used to split the cap with qbs. The floor needs to be 150-200k for us to attract the talent the league desperately needs. 
 Teams should have a floor 1million on ar qbs. It’s an investment in the league and game it self. 500k for the starter, 250-300k for qb3 and 200-250k for qb3. If your top tier qbs are earning 750k-1million each, instead of 500-700k you have a much better ability to attract young qb with upside talent and success. 

Yeah. Allen to corner, kramdi to s and griffin to sam would be awesome. 

pretty much just sergio to re up now 

Maybe just maybe we should be looking at developing Canadian Qbs as well..say a designated 2 to 3 year spot for a Canadian Qb to be groomed( that actually benefits a team ratio wise), the talent has gotten so much better, they just lack the coaching that US players get.

[SpeedFlex27]

2 hours ago, bb1 said:

Maybe just maybe we should be looking at developing Canadian Qbs as well..say a designated 2 to 3 year spot for a Canadian Qb to be groomed( that actually benefits a team ratio wise), the talent has gotten so much better, they just lack the coaching that US players get.

We're trying to sign a Canadian qb but he doesn't want to play here. 

[bb1]

30 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

We're trying to sign a Canadian qb but he doesn't want to play here. 

Yeah,but he is a bit of a different story..I'm talking about the more raw Qbs from Cdn University's. 😊

[SpeedFlex27]

7 hours ago, bb1 said:

Yeah,but he is a bit of a different story..I'm talking about the more raw Qbs from Cdn University's. 😊

If they aren't ready to play at the next level (CFL) then why do we want to spend the time developing them? No guarantee they would ever develop. No one wants to see some guy who would be better in a flag or senior men's league after U Sports waste a roster spot given to him for 3 years for nothing. Qbs in the US are better trained & have had better coaching & compettition all the way up. Some just can't adapt to the rule changes between 4 down & 3 down football. Thata's their downfall. The ones that have shown they can play like Rourke & Elgersma teams try to develop. Hopefully, they want to be here. I'd be against mandatig Canadian qbs have be drafted & take up a development roster spots on all teams.

Edited 5 hours ago by SpeedFlex27

[Atomic]

A rough look at the depth chart with 3 weeks to go until free agency, apologies for any errors or omissions:

[bearpants]

Is Pokey really the only American vet receiver we have on the roster right now?...

I was thinking about Schoen recently... I wonder if the team would try to bring him back on a cheap deal... he sits on the 6-game for likely 2/3 of the season... worst case scenario, rehab doesn't go too well, he doesn't play, doesn't cost the team much.... best case scenario, his recovery goes well, he's ready to play around Labour day, and we've added a weapon for the stretch drive... seems like a win-win to me...

[Booch]

15 minutes ago, bearpants said:

Is Pokey really the only American vet receiver we have on the roster right now?...

I was thinking about Schoen recently... I wonder if the team would try to bring him back on a cheap deal... he sits on the 6-game for likely 2/3 of the season... worst case scenario, rehab doesn't go too well, he doesn't play, doesn't cost the team much.... best case scenario, his recovery goes well, he's ready to play around Labour day, and we've added a weapon for the stretch drive... seems like a win-win to me...

I think we will likely sign him at some point on a barf=gain deal for late season possibly being ready....no harm in that really, but in no way count on him in any regard

We have a couple of nice prospects we signed, but hope we add Hardy to Pokey, Demski and Clercius and whatever rookie pops off the page as the 5th guy and that would be a nice group

Maybe we are gonna target a Canadian WR in FA and go 3 Canadians and 2 Imports...and allow us to maximize some legit Import beef on the dline

[Bigblue204]

15 minutes ago, bearpants said:

Is Pokey really the only American vet receiver we have on the roster right now?...

I was thinking about Schoen recently... I wonder if the team would try to bring him back on a cheap deal... he sits on the 6-game for likely 2/3 of the season... worst case scenario, rehab doesn't go too well, he doesn't play, doesn't cost the team much.... best case scenario, his recovery goes well, he's ready to play around Labour day, and we've added a weapon for the stretch drive... seems like a win-win to me...

You're assuming because his recovery goes well that he'll be a viable option. I remember someone posting about how long it takes for WR to get back to to their regular production after 1 ACL tear, that was around 3 yrs. He's blown his knee up in 2 consecutive seasons. It would likely take a small miracle for him to have the same speed/agility/acceleration that he had even last season. And even then like you said he wouldn't be ready until at minimum half way through the year and then another couple of weeks to get back to game condition assuming he doesn't tweak anything like he did last year. 

I love Schoen...but at some point you have to move on. Bringing Schoen back would be imo pretty pointless.

[Booch]

2 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

You're assuming because his recovery goes well that he'll be a viable option. I remember someone posting about how long it takes for WR to get back to to their regular production after 1 ACL tear, that was around 3 yrs. He's blown his knee up in 2 consecutive seasons. It would likely take a small miracle for him to have the same speed/agility/acceleration that he had even last season. And even then like you said he wouldn't be ready until at minimum half way through the year and then another couple of weeks to get back to game condition assuming he doesn't tweak anything like he did last year. 

I love Schoen...but at some point you have to move on. Bringing Schoen back would be imo pretty pointless.

for this yr yup....could stash him all yr on the IR to be part of the team and get involved in the new offensive system and then come 2027 he hits ground running, and then see what he has...if he doesnt have the magic back in 2027 camp....he gets released

[wbbfan]

14 hours ago, bb1 said:

Maybe just maybe we should be looking at developing Canadian Qbs as well..say a designated 2 to 3 year spot for a Canadian Qb to be groomed( that actually benefits a team ratio wise), the talent has gotten so much better, they just lack the coaching that US players get.

I would love to see the TC 1 cis/ni qb allotment carried into the regular season. Free PR spot for 1 ni qb, maybe have it optional and eventually required. Then give an incentive for having one on the AR, maybe their salary doesn't count against the cap as a back up. Then if they start, you gain the di or maybe you can use a nat american even if they don't have the tenure. Could also bake Canadian QBs into the draft pick compensation for starting Canadians.  

[SpeedFlex27]

19 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

I would love to see the TC 1 cis/ni qb allotment carried into the regular season. Free PR spot for 1 ni qb, maybe have it optional and eventually required. Then give an incentive for having one on the AR, maybe their salary doesn't count against the cap as a back up. Then if they start, you gain the di or maybe you can use a nat american even if they don't have the tenure. Could also bake Canadian QBs into the draft pick compensation for starting Canadians.  

You can't just designate a spot on a CFL team out of sympathy ion the hopes Litlle Johnny can be developed. Especially if teams don't know if these players will or not. . We shouldn't just be handing out roster spots at qb on CFL teams just based on nationality. Maybe the CFL should do something about the level of coaching across Canada first. Put money into football at the bantam & high school level. Better coaching & mentoring programs. 

have longer seasons. In Calgary, kids plays 4-6 games a year in HS. How can kids learn anything with such a limiting schedule like 6 weeks? The idea of giving Canadian college qbs a free roster spot is bass ackwards. Have the CFL put money into grassroots football. Lengthen the high school & U Sport season from 8 to 10 games plus playoffs. Get rid of some of these older lazy ass teachers in high school who say they want to coach but don't want to put in the work until they were back in school. I saw a few of these guys at different high schools  in Calgary..Most of these guys just bitched all day complaining about something all the time. These guys ran high school football in YYC when I was there & some still do.

In order for football to improve & give the CFL better players, big changes have to be made at the grassroot levels first. Legislating Canadian qbs onto CFL rosters will never work. 

Edited 1 hour ago by SpeedFlex27

[JuranBoldenRules]

17 hours ago, Pete said:

Do we know if Allen can play corner? I don't remember him taking any reps last year at anything other than safety

He played corner exclusively in training camp and pre-season.

[Bigblue204]

Castillo and Sheanan are back

[bigg jay]

9 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

Castillo and Sheanan are back

2 year deal for Castillo & 1 for Sheahan.  

[rebusrankin]

I like Castillo being back, meh to Jamison's return.