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 November 12, 2025Nov 12 by johnzo

I asked Gemini what % of Canadian QB's became starters in the last 20 years in the CFL... 1.98%.

Edited yesterday at 02:35 PM1 day by TBURGESS

19 minutes ago, JuranBoldenRules said:

If he tries to play he might end up being the top QB in Equatorial Guinea.

I hope all his vaccinations are up to date!

23 hours ago, BomberBall. said:

You really like to argue. Sure, some situations are better for the backup QB, but most situations require QB1 getting hurt for QB2 to get any significant reps. If you don’t agree, that’s fine.

Was Tre Ford injured when Cody Faj took over last year? It's not arguing it's just a fact that there are many times when a QB2 takes over after ineffective QB1 play. It happens a lot.

IF Elgersma is trying to get a work permit to stick around down south, he could be hooped....One of our other draft pics of recent years ...I believe it was Dobson who was going through that process, and it didn't pan out...Shortly after he was denied the permit he was in camp...Could the same thing play out for Elgersma.....we shall see...I'd like to see the kid in tc frankly....just to get to see for myself what he's got...So far all I'm getting about his talent is inuendo and promise...

Edited yesterday at 04:34 PM1 day by Stickem

31 minutes ago, Stickem said:

IF Elgersma is trying to get a work permit to stick around down south, he could be hooped....One of our other draft pics of recent years ...I believe it was Dobson who was going through that process, and it didn't pan out...Shortly after he was denied the permit he was in camp...Could the same thing play out for Elgersma.....we shall see...I'd like to see the kid in tc frankly....just to get to see for myself what he's got...So far all I'm getting about his talent is inuendo and promise...

Yep, it was Dobson. The USFL didn't generate enough revenue for their players to qualify for work visas.

Bombers sign 2021 third overall pick Liam Dobson after failed attempt to join USFL - 3DownNation

1 hour ago, GCn20 said:

Was Tre Ford injured when Cody Faj took over last year? It's not arguing it's just a fact that there are many times when a QB2 takes over after ineffective QB1 play. It happens a lot.

Holy smokes…. You’re hilarious. I didn’t say it never happens. Wow.

18 hours ago, bigg jay said:

Apparently Elgersma is still trying to get a work visa so that might be why they brought somebody else in. If he's not able to get one before the season starts, they need a 3rd QB.

So, as my Ukrainian uncle used to say, "Tell me true..." You mean to say the guy is trying out for all these NFL teams & now wants to play in the UFL. He doesn't have a work visa??" Like WTF??

2 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

So, as my Ukrainian uncle used to say, "Tell me true..." You mean to say the guy is trying out for all these NFL teams & now wants to play in the UFL. He doesn't have a work visa??" Like WTF??

And how is he supposed to get a work visa, just go ask for one or pick one of the visa tree? Elgersma has to provide documentation, including contracts, in order to qualify and he hasn't had that until now. Even with a contract (as seen by the Dobson situation), it's not a guarantee he'll get one.

14 hours ago, bigg jay said:

And how is he supposed to get a work visa, just go ask for one or pick one of the visa tree? Elgersma has to provide documentation, including contracts, in order to qualify and he hasn't had that until now. Even with a contract (as seen by the Dobson situation), it's not a guarantee he'll get one.

His agent should take care of that. That all takes time. You think once he makes a team that the paperwork starts? Good luck with that.

Edited 12 hours ago12 hr by SpeedFlex27

4 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

His agent should take care of that. That all takes time. You think once he makes a team that the paperwork starts? Good luck with that.

yeah....gotta say it seems all around he getting some bad guidance with some people in his camp who are not too competent....a lot of the groundwork should have already been done...why do you think pretty much every Canadian in the NCAA who gets on either a NFL roster or on a PR hasnt had to come to Canada with tail between their legs due to not being able to legally earn a paycheque down there

4 hours ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

His agent should take care of that. That all takes time. You think once he makes a team that the paperwork starts? Good luck with that.

Who says the agent hasn't been doing that? On one hand you say why isn't this done already but on the other hand you acknowledge it takes time. His situation has been changing so that can affect the process. If he was still with the Packers, it would be a different story but we're talking about the UFL, not the NFL and there's a world of difference. The UFL needs to have $10 million in combined revenue and I don't know if they qualify - the USFL certainly didn't when Dobson tried.

20 minutes ago, Booch said:

yeah....gotta say it seems all around he getting some bad guidance with some people in his camp who are not too competent....a lot of the groundwork should have already been done...why do you think pretty much every Canadian in the NCAA who gets on either a NFL roster or on a PR hasnt had to come to Canada with tail between their legs due to not being able to legally earn a paycheque down there

He's not trying to get a visa to play in the NFL though. I don't think this is an issue if he was still with the Packers or another NFL team picked him up but it's the UFL we're talking about.

Just now, bigg jay said:

Who says the agent hasn't been doing that? On one hand you say why isn't this done already but on the other hand you acknowledge it takes time. His situation has been changing so that can affect the process. If he was still with the Packers, it would be a different story but we're talking about the UFL, not the NFL and there's a world of difference. The UFL needs to have $10 million in combined revenue and I don't know if they qualify - the USFL certainly didn't when Dobson tried.

Did you read what Booch said? No league is going to have a player they want tied up in issues crossing the border to play in the US when they need him. Birmingham signed him weeks ago so the paperwork should have been done by then. If you're a US immigration lawyer & actually can vouch for what you say then I'll believe you. If you're just a fan then why even argue this point, if you don't know (& probably don't)? To me, it just looks lik another **** up by his advisors. Or... this is what happened when the CFL expanded to the States in 1994. No canadians were allowed to play because the US teams would have had to prove any canadian players were better than Americans as they were taking jobs away from American players. So, not one Canadian was allowed to play on American CFL teams. we know for sure that there are better qbs than Elgersma that are Americans out there.

Edited 7 hours ago7 hr by SpeedFlex27

1 minute ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Did you read what Booch said? No league is going to have a player they want tied up in issues crossing the border to play in the US when they need him. Birmingham signed him weeks ago so the paperwork should have been done by then. If you're a US immigration lawyer & actually can vouch for what you say then I'll believe you. If you're just a fan just farting smoke out your ass then why even argue this point, if you don't know (& probably don't)? To me, it just looks lik another **** up by his advisors.

You can read the requirements yourself. It spells out very clearly what's needed from both the player and the league. I had to look into a P-1A visa last summer, for my own work an official in another sport, so while not a lawyer, I do have some recent experience in this area. Standard processing time is 2-4 months but you can pay extra to have a premium processing, in which case it's about 3 weeks.

He would have had a work visa when he was with the Packers (since he got paid for his brief time there) but that would have been tied to his contract with them. There is a window where he would have been able to get on with another team and the visa would be valid but it's only for 60-90 days so he'd need a new one for the UFL. The issue is getting a new one and whether or not the UFL qualifies.

P-1A Athlete | USCIS

For Internationally Recognized Individuals or Teams

You must submit a copy of a tendered contract with a major U.S. sports league or team, or in an individual sport commensurate with international recognition in the sport, if such contracts are normally utilized in the sport, and documentation of at least two of the following:

• Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season with a major United States sports league;

• Evidence of having participated in international competition with a national team;

• Evidence of having participated to a significant extent in a prior season for a U.S. college or university in intercollegiate competition;

• A written statement from an official of the governing body of the sport which details how you or your team is internationally recognized;

• A written statement from a member of the sports media or a recognized expert in the sport which details how you or your team is internationally recognized;

• Evidence that you or your team is ranked, if the sport has international rankings; or

• Evidence that you or your team has received a significant honor or award in the sport.

You must be coming to the United States to be employed as an athlete by:

• A team that is a member of an association of six or more professional sports teams whose total combined revenues exceed $10 million per year. The association must govern the conduct of its members and regulate the contests and exhibitions in which its member teams regularly engage

52 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Who says the agent hasn't been doing that? On one hand you say why isn't this done already but on the other hand you acknowledge it takes time. His situation has been changing so that can affect the process. If he was still with the Packers, it would be a different story but we're talking about the UFL, not the NFL and there's a world of difference. The UFL needs to have $10 million in combined revenue and I don't know if they qualify - the USFL certainly didn't when Dobson tried.

He's not trying to get a visa to play in the NFL though. I don't think this is an issue if he was still with the Packers or another NFL team picked him up but it's the UFL we're talking about.

People can get work visa's for everyday jobs as well tho...l know first hand and have it dine with company I do work with....I agree it takes time, and takes different levels of time based on situation...none the less...they should have taken care of a lot of this last yr already

2 minutes ago, Booch said:

People can get work visa's for everyday jobs as well tho...l know first hand and have it dine with company I do work with....I agree it takes time, and takes different levels of time based on situation...none the less...they should have taken care of a lot of this last yr already

Agreed and this is why I think it might be more of an issue with the company than the employee, in which case there's not much Elgersma or his agent can do. The are other alternatives (like an O-1A visa) they can pursue but those have different requirements and can be harder to get.

3 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Agreed and this is why I think it might be more of an issue with the company than the employee, in which case there's not much Elgersma or his agent can do. The are other alternatives (like an O-1A visa) they can pursue but those have different requirements and can be harder to get.

yeah...true true...Still tho believe he is just wasting time and spinning wheels and his best chance to even get another remote at best sniff from the NFL is to come up to Canada...get some experience...try and establish....anything really as currently he has nothing established, just a big arm that did well in the CIS...pretty much to be blunt a big ol whooptydo

Yeah he should be trying to follow the Rourke route (imo). He didn't get the NFL looks he wanted out of college so he detoured up here for a couple seasons, did well and got his shot. Didn't work out in the end but he still proved himself and now he's making big (CFL) money.

The UFL season starts today so without his permit, even those chances are dwindling. It's not a long season so if that doesn't come together quickly, we may see him up here and this whole thing will be like an extended training camp for him.

1 hour ago, bigg jay said:

Who says the agent hasn't been doing that? On one hand you say why isn't this done already but on the other hand you acknowledge it takes time. His situation has been changing so that can affect the process. If he was still with the Packers, it would be a different story but we're talking about the UFL, not the NFL and there's a world of difference. The UFL needs to have $10 million in combined revenue and I don't know if they qualify - the USFL certainly didn't when Dobson tried.

He's not trying to get a visa to play in the NFL though. I don't think this is an issue if he was still with the Packers or another NFL team picked him up but it's the UFL we're talking about.

You don't know what the revenues are for the UFL & what revenues they're getting thru ticket sales, tv, local & national advertising, marketing agreements, radio deals & the like. Maybe it's $10M. Maybe it's less or more. Thing is, if it's because he's a Canadian that he can't play then it's over for him in the UFL. He should get his ass up here & start proving he's good enough to be our future starter.

31 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Yeah he should be trying to follow the Rourke route (imo). He didn't get the NFL looks he wanted out of college so he detoured up here for a couple seasons, did well and got his shot. Didn't work out in the end but he still proved himself and now he's making big (CFL) money.

The UFL season starts today so without his permit, even those chances are dwindling. It's not a long season so if that doesn't come together quickly, we may see him up here and this whole thing will be like an extended training camp for him.

I believe it's been mentioned before. But one of the biggest hurdles Elgersma is facing, is that he doesn't have experience in 4 down ball. Rourke did, having gone to College there. Elgersma coming to the CFL before he gets any experience likely ruins any (small as it may be) chance of getting another NFL look.

2 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

You don't know what the revenues are for the UFL & what revenues they're getting thru ticket sales, tv, local & national advertising, marketing agreements, radio deals & the like. Maybe it's $10M. Maybe it's less or more. Thing is, if it's because he's a Canadian that he can't play then it's over for him in the UFL. He should get his ass up here & start proving he's good enough to be our future starter.

You're right and that's why it's just a guess based on what we know happened with it's predecessor. There are a lot of things that could be holding up his paperwork - maybe it's him, maybe it's the league, maybe it's the current US government not being fans of foreigners. We don't know what the hold up is so it's not fair to lay blame on anyone. One thing for sure is the clock is ticking. It's a 10 game schedule in the UFL and he's already missing week 1.

I agree he needs to start proving he's good enough - I don't really care if it's here though. When he was drafted, a lot of people here felt the best case scenario would be as a back-up or PR player elsewhere (preferably the NFL for better coaching) so he could develop further and then come here better suited to being able to take over, without burning years off his rookie contract. I can't really disagree with that - I would hate to develop him for a few years and then see him leave just as he's ready to take over (which could happen anyway).

FWIW:

9 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

I believe it's been mentioned before. But one of the biggest hurdles Elgersma is facing, is that he doesn't have experience in 4 down ball. Rourke did, having gone to College there. Elgersma coming to the CFL before he gets any experience likely ruins any (small as it may be) chance of getting another NFL look.

Yep, very low odds no matter what he does and they are getting lower by the day. Even with his 4 down college experience and 1 year and a bit of good CFL play, Rourke still didn't make it so Elgersma would really have to blow people away to another shot. Sitting on the sidelines, in any league, is not helping him get there.

I'm really wondering why Elgersma doesn't dump his current agent...Some of what is happening with the kid via his representative smells of incompetency...Is this guy really concerned about Elgersma's career or is he more concerned about his own....Common sense should spell out that his best option for continuing his football career is with us...I think he's currently being sold a 'bill of goods' that are not at all to his benefit ....I have a sneaking hunch that the kid will finally see the light shortly and make the decision to don the bluengold...

1 hour ago, bigg jay said:

FWIW:

Are we talking spring football or just the UFL, which is in it's third year?

Liam Dobson couldn't get work permit in 2021 and came north. Sage Doxtater played 5 games in the XFL in 2023. He was signed in 2024 when his team moved over to the UFL but didn't end up playing due to an injury so that one is... inconclusive.

Are Canadians not playing in the UFL because they can't get a work permit, or because it's a dead end?

1 hour ago, ShyGuy said:

Are we talking spring football or just the UFL, which is in it's third year?

Liam Dobson couldn't get work permit in 2021 and came north. Sage Doxtater played 5 games in the XFL in 2023. He was signed in 2024 when his team moved over to the UFL but didn't end up playing due to an injury so that one is... inconclusive.

Are Canadians not playing in the UFL because they can't get a work permit, or because it's a dead end?

Before the current UFL, they did play some. Currently, the pay has not met the requirements to get the passport.

Is the UFL a dead end? No. Is it a (better) pipeline to being more than TCF in the NFL? Also no.

Most positions would be better off coming up here imo. Though some exceptions do exist. Specifically, QBs, TEs, special teamers, interior OL, and some defensive tweeners who'd be out of a position up here.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by wbbfan

3 hours ago, ShyGuy said:

Are we talking spring football or just the UFL, which is in it's third year?

Liam Dobson couldn't get work permit in 2021 and came north. Sage Doxtater played 5 games in the XFL in 2023. He was signed in 2024 when his team moved over to the UFL but didn't end up playing due to an injury so that one is... inconclusive.

Are Canadians not playing in the UFL because they can't get a work permit, or because it's a dead end?

I'm assuming UFL specifically. Daniel Joseph is another Canadian who signed with a UFL team (Birmingham) but didn't play a game so there seems to be a pattern (albeit based on a small sample size).