With Rookie Camp getting underway Wednesday morning, it's officially time to talk about the 2026 Winnipeg Blue Bombers!

I think our roster composition and player deployment is going to get stupid and cost us a win or two (as it always does) but overall, the talent at the top is there. The scary part is it’s old.

Brady, Demski, White, Pokey is definitely enough to compete on O, the D is going to be flying around, ST should be solid. I’m not worried that we’re going to lose 12 games, I’m worried we’re going to lose the last one because we’re old, beat up and not putting our best roster on the field.

Does anyone believe that if the decision needs to be made in the playoffs, Kyrie Wilson with a torn hammy isn’t coming off the field? That’s still my concern.

13 minutes ago, Mike said:

I think our roster composition and player deployment is going to get stupid and cost us a win or two (as it always does) but overall, the talent at the top is there. The scary part is it’s old.

Brady, Demski, White, Pokey is definitely enough to compete on O, the D is going to be flying around, ST should be solid. I’m not worried that we’re going to lose 12 games, I’m worried we’re going to lose the last one because we’re old, beat up and not putting our best roster on the field.

Does anyone believe that if the decision needs to be made in the playoffs, Kyrie Wilson with a torn hammy isn’t coming off the field? That’s still my concern.

I will wait and see. I think that the riot act was read from above and we will see some different deployment this year.

9 hours ago, BBlink said:

Team looks much better on paper across the board from last year. I think there's a lot of roster nitpicking going on, which is completely fair, but preemptive. The sky is not falling.

Agreed. We haven't even played a game yet and have no idea what our roster even looks like yet. I get that we have nerves around here about what our roster/deployment might look like, but let's wait to see it before we go all doom and gloom. We have a lot more talent than we did last year.

11 hours ago, Mark H. said:

Most teams are in a similar situation at QB. Davis, Harris, Adams, Rourke - injuries to any of them could sink that team's season. And some them are known for getting hurt

Nah. Oh wait Pittsburgh just signed a 42 year old to be their QB again. It’s not just a CFL problem.

I stopped by the stadium yesterday for about half an hour and decided to watch a bit of practice. Zach really puts his whole body into the long throws, Elgersma barely puts an effort at all. From my extremely limited viewing if I didn’t know who was starting, 13 looks better than 8 by far. I’d say if Zach got hurt we probably wouldn’t miss a beat and might actually be better. Limited viewing but just the motion difference in the long throws is night and day. All body Zach vs all arm Elgersma. I spoke to a dude who said he’s been a few times and he seems to think Elgersma has been the “best QB”. Just seems to be able to make all the throws with very little effort it seems. I’m cutting Terry right now as he truly can’t throw a ball 10 yards.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by Goalie

50 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Thats a good point too. The OL is gonna be really really good. Wallace looks to have taken a big stepforward so far too. It is really deep too.

100%. Unless someone hits on QBs in this league soon, the league is going to be raiding old folkes homes for QBs.

Knew going into the off season no one was gonna fix QBing problems from with in the league. Next years FA qb crop probably wont be better either.

Can confirm, sky not falling. Also, the ground is not trying to escape through by way of the air any more. All clear on the western front.

We have a lot of solid upgrades from last year, and an addition by subtraction. Last years 10 wins was a bit of smoke n mirrors, but on the field I expect us to be one of the most improved teams in the league. We will be dumspter diving for Wrs, and probably for DL both ni and imp this year, which is frustrating. But its still overall an A- off season.

We appear to be a very well rounded roster thus far. I am not willing to write off our receivers yet as it is pretty early, but we are likely looking for NAT DL. All in all though I would say that our biggest two problems from last year have been pretty solidly improved. Our OL, and our OC, should be a lot better and that is 2-3 wins right there. I think our receivers are also better overall as well, but I will have to see them in game action to know for sure. I really think putting Zac in a system he knows, understands, and loves is going to be huge for us at QB.

lol. Tanner Schmekel goes down and DL depth is now a problem. lol honestly. If it’s a problem we prob shouldn’t be starting Canadians on the DL then. Cuz we don’t really need 2.

10 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Nah. Oh wait Pittsburgh just signed a 42 year old to be their QB again. It’s not just a CFL problem.

I stopped by the stadium yesterday for about half an hour and decided to watch a bit of practice. Zach really puts his whole body into the long throws, Elgersma barely puts an effort at all. From my extremely limited viewing if I didn’t know who was starting, 13 looks better than 8 by far. I’d say if Zach got hurt we probably wouldn’t miss a beat and might actually be better. Limited viewing but just the motion difference in the long throws is night and day. All body Zach vs all arm Elgersma. I spoke to a dude who said he’s been a few times and he seems to think Elgersma has been the “best QB”. Just seems to be able to make all the throws with very little effort it seems. I’m cutting Terry right now as he truly can’t throw a ball 10 yards.

Throwing a nice ball is only about 25% of what makes a good QB. If throwing a nice ball in practice was the end all be all then Dominique Davis would be a hall of famer. I am hopeful that TE can reach the other 75% of what makes for successful QBing but we honestly have no idea what we have at this point, and it is completely unrealistic to think that Elgersma would outperform Zac at this point. Don't get hung up on arm strength, it really is a red herring with the caveat that it is difficult to overcome a weak arm. Would I like Zac to be able to zip a ball like Elgersma? Sure....but that isn't his strength as a QB.

If Elgersma can learn to read a defence, make clutch throws under pressure, extend plays and not get happy feet, inspire and motivate his O unit, then he will be someone that has a real good chance at attaining the level of career that Zac is having. Let's not put the cart before the horse tho. The difference between wearing a yellow shirt in practice playing glorified catch, and doing it with bullets flying around you cannot be understated. Game action is not the same as practice.

Edited 1 hour ago1 hr by GCn20

12 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

As of today, in my known expert opinion, the oline is better with the addition of Broxton and Kolo's departure. The defence should be really good. Brady is excellent. Wilson+White+Demski is a nice trio and I like Nield. The questions are how does Zach play? Can we stay healthy? How do we manage the ratio? Do we keep loading the roster with STers who can't/don't get reps on offense or defense?

Best case, we win the Cup. Worst case we miss the playoffs. Likely case, we're somewhere around 10 wins and don't win the Cup.

We just lost JSK for the season. This is only the second week of TC. No team stays healthy after 2 pre season, 18 regular games, playoffs & GC. It's all about attrition. Injuries seems to have a lot to do with luck, it seems. Some teams just go on a run of bad luck. If a team gets lucky & stays relatively healthy then they have a shot to win a championship.

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

100%. Unless someone hits on QBs in this league soon, the league is going to be raiding old folkes homes for QBs.

Harris, collaros and BLM are starting qbs, we sure it's not already a thing?

12 hours ago, Noeller said:

It was honestly a sincere question from me... Trying to figure out if we're already cooked for the year and shouldn't bother watching the games.

Maybe the defense can win them all?

But it sounds like, at best, we're a 7-8 win team struggling to not be the one team who doesn't make playoffs.

That's less than heartening...

That doesnt start until next year. They can still be one of the 3 teams that dont make the playoffs

Not that I think they will be near that. I am really optimistic about the defense particularly.

12 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

As of today, in my known expert opinion, the oline is better with the addition of Broxton and Kolo's departure. The defence should be really good. Brady is excellent. Wilson+White+Demski is a nice trio and I like Nield. The questions are how does Zach play? Can we stay healthy? How do we manage the ratio? Do we keep loading the roster with STers who can't/don't get reps on offense or defense?

Best case, we win the Cup. Worst case we miss the playoffs. Likely case, we're somewhere around 10 wins and don't win the Cup.

Our Oline is gonna be one the leagues best, so we improved there...Our defence as well is gonna be way better with the additions, plus the likely use of several big upside Canadians making our rotations much more effective. Or offence and scheme is gonna be night and day better with a real OC...The aforementioned oline upgrade....and a solid top 4 receiver crew this yr.

But I think we dropped the ball at the draft, and we are razor thin in depth on offence with skilled position players...one or 2 serious injuries to key guys...we gonna be scuffling

10 hours ago, M.O.A.B. said:

As if we have an option for a backup QB in the recent free-agency 🤣

McLeod Bethel-Thompson
Caleb Evans
Shea Patterson
Tyrie Adams
Dustin Crums (MTL)
Matt Shiltz (Retired)
Jake Dolegala
Harrison Frost
Chris Streveller (Retired)
Jack Coan (SSK)
Jake Maier (OTT)
Logan Bonner
Chase Brice
Jeremiah Masoli

yeah, but the lack of forward thinking starting 2 yrs ago already has us in this spot....didnt say there was a plethora of talent there for the taking....but we really have done nothing to have any real succession plan

1 hour ago, wbbfan said:

Thats a good point too. The OL is gonna be really really good. Wallace looks to have taken a big stepforward so far too. It is really deep too.

100%. Unless someone hits on QBs in this league soon, the league is going to be raiding old folkes homes for QBs.

Knew going into the off season no one was gonna fix QBing problems from with in the league. Next years FA qb crop probably wont be better either.

Can confirm, sky not falling. Also, the ground is not trying to escape through by way of the air any more. All clear on the western front.

We have a lot of solid upgrades from last year, and an addition by subtraction. Last years 10 wins was a bit of smoke n mirrors, but on the field I expect us to be one of the most improved teams in the league. We will be dumspter diving for Wrs, and probably for DL both ni and imp this year, which is frustrating. But its still overall an A- off season.

yeah watching Wallace...he looks like a total different player from last year...and thats not just his frame

And across the board with top 30 guys yeah we better than last yr and more than solid....but we are thin in depth again in a few areas and our draft was another slug grab event with 75% guys who have no upside.

Our lines this yr I think are gonna get us back to possibly 2019-2021 land and be our key to grabbing first again. I love what we have cooking on defence and the versatilty and athleticism of our guys..especially the lb's and backend

8 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

That doesnt start until next year. They can still be one of the 3 teams that dont make the playoffs

Not that I think they will be near that. I am really optimistic about the defense particularly.

we gonna be a double digit win team this yr...no doubt in my mind...I am worried tho about our depth on offence outside the oline and rb.

Excited about the defence...and how it's gonna evolve

And if we have significant injuries to Demski and Neild....or have a National olineman...or 2 go down where we need to play 3 or more Imports (we have nice depth top do so so not worried there) then we are gonna have to go 3 national receivers, and we dont have the ponies for that...and Lord help ZC then as teams will basically take away White/Wilson and make him start pressing and forcing throws into bad spots...and we know he will as history shows....or lean on a middling group of Canadian receivers who will basically offer nothing much

59 minutes ago, Goalie said:

Nah. Oh wait Pittsburgh just signed a 42 year old to be their QB again. It’s not just a CFL problem.

I stopped by the stadium yesterday for about half an hour and decided to watch a bit of practice. Zach really puts his whole body into the long throws, Elgersma barely puts an effort at all. From my extremely limited viewing if I didn’t know who was starting, 13 looks better than 8 by far. I’d say if Zach got hurt we probably wouldn’t miss a beat and might actually be better. Limited viewing but just the motion difference in the long throws is night and day. All body Zach vs all arm Elgersma. I spoke to a dude who said he’s been a few times and he seems to think Elgersma has been the “best QB”. Just seems to be able to make all the throws with very little effort it seems. I’m cutting Terry right now as he truly can’t throw a ball 10 yards.

Qbing is a football wide issue. Its worse here, because of the reality of canadian football, but it is an issue every where for sure.

1 hour ago, Mike said:

I think our roster composition and player deployment is going to get stupid and cost us a win or two (as it always does) but overall, the talent at the top is there. The scary part is it’s old.

Brady, Demski, White, Pokey is definitely enough to compete on O, the D is going to be flying around, ST should be solid. I’m not worried that we’re going to lose 12 games, I’m worried we’re going to lose the last one because we’re old, beat up and not putting our best roster on the field.

Does anyone believe that if the decision needs to be made in the playoffs, Kyrie Wilson with a torn hammy isn’t coming off the field? That’s still my concern.

Nailed it.

We've said and done many right things this offseason, but until I see sustained change Im not betting on it.

53 minutes ago, Goalie said:

lol. Tanner Schmekel goes down and DL depth is now a problem. lol honestly. If it’s a problem we prob shouldn’t be starting Canadians on the DL then. Cuz we don’t really need 2.

Canadians are the back bone of every DL. You just can't carry 7 imp dl and have them take all the reps.

Its sad, but schmekel was our depth. If we flipped wil, then we could rotate lawson with an imp db at wil.

27 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Harris, collaros and BLM are starting qbs, we sure it's not already a thing?

Not wrong lol, but we could see those guys play till some even crazier ages at this rate.

26 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

That doesnt start until next year. They can still be one of the 3 teams that dont make the playoffs

Not that I think they will be near that. I am really optimistic about the defense particularly.

I refuse to even think about next years cfl while there is football going on.

Is Schmekel a new injury or a continuation of last years? I'm not sure they ever publicly disclosed what his injury was last year.

With going on the six game I think technically he only needs to miss the first game, and that opens up a roster spot in the meantime right? Or are roster restrictions more loose during camp?

Winnipegger Tachinski gets shot as receiver with Bombers

Paul Friesen

Jackson Tachinski walked onto the field at Blue Bomber training camp on Tuesday and recalled his greatest moment as the quarterback of the University of Manitoba Bisons.

“I broke my passing record and we beat Calgary in a shootout. I think it was like 35-31, or something like that,” the 24-year-old Winnipegger recalled. “That's definitely one of my favourite games here. That'd be my last game as a Bison, and having that kind of epic comeback and epic ending, that definitely stands out to me.”

What stands out watching Tachinski these days: he's a receiver.

The transition began at last year's CFL combine, when somebody suggested he try it.

“Obviously not every quarterback wants to hear that,” he said. “But I try to put my ego aside. These coaches want the best for you. They're really smart. So I just believed in them and I took a shot.”

As out of place as Tachinski first felt, there was something very much in place, too.

At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he definitely had the size. But there was more: a knack for making plays.

“I hadn't done it before,” he said. “And I made a few plays. So they just said that I could probably flourish at that spot in my pro career.”

With that, he officially traded his arm for a set of hands at Edmonton's training camp last year.

Returning to quarterback the Bisons in one final U Sports season, he left that position behind for good, it seems, for another shot with the Elks this spring.

When they cut him loose, the Bombers pounced.

“He's a hell of an athlete,” head coach Mike O'Shea said. “We get the benefit of knowing him personally and having him been here before. He's a great add. He obviously can still sling the ball, too. He gives you a couple different things you can look at. He's a great kid. A hardworking guy.”

And a guy thrilled to get a shot on a field and in a city that feels like home.

“It's awesome,” Tachinski said. “It's really cool to be here. Hometown team, hometown stadium... just a blessing. Obviously it sucks to get cut. But at the end of the day you've got to have a positive outlook on it. And I just saw it as a door closing but another one's going to open. So I'm happy this one opened.”

Entering the Bombers locker-room on Tuesday, he felt even more at home, running into former Bisons teammates Collin Kornelson and Kaleb Mackie-McLeod, the latter also just signed by Winnipeg.

There was also Bisons quarterback Cole Anseewu, taking part in the same internship program that Tachinski participated in a couple years back.

“It's cool just being with them again,” Tachinski said. “Because you play that last game with them and in the back of your head you're thinking I'm never going to play football with these guys again. And you walk in the locker-room and you see them and you're like, 'Oh, maybe I was wrong.'”

Where this will lead, who knows?

As a receiver, Tachinski is already miles ahead of that first day at the combine. Back then he actually had to think about his steps while running a route.

“I was literally thinking about my footwork in the route, like right-left-right, or left-right-left,” he said. “That's probably the biggest difference, is I'm not really thinking about my technique but I'm more thinking about the stuff around me.”

Stuff like what the defence is doing, and where he is in the quarterback's progressions: the first, second, third or fourth read.

Being the guy at the other end of those those throws for so long gives Tachinski a perspective other receivers don't have.

His brother was a university receiver, too, so he's helped.

The only thing he felt out of place about on Tuesday was the play book. But he was going to dive into that at night, come back on Wednesday and start showing he can not just handle the physical stuff, but initiate it.

While he marvels at some of the Canadian quarterbacks in the CFL today, including Winnipeg rookie Taylor Elgersma, who's trying to become the next one, Tachinski is set on his new path, undeterred by the switch he had to make to continue playing the game he loves.

“I'll literally do whatever the coaches want,” he said. “Because I love being part of this atmosphere, being part of a football locker-room and working with those coaches. I can't really describe it. It's a different feeling that people wouldn't know about. And I just want to be part of that. I love the camaraderie. I love just being with those people, and just working out every day.

“That's something that really draws me to it.”

2 minutes ago, Tracker said:

Winnipegger Tachinski gets shot as receiver with Bombers

Paul Friesen

Jackson Tachinski walked onto the field at Blue Bomber training camp on Tuesday and recalled his greatest moment as the quarterback of the University of Manitoba Bisons.

“I broke my passing record and we beat Calgary in a shootout. I think it was like 35-31, or something like that,” the 24-year-old Winnipegger recalled. “That's definitely one of my favourite games here. That'd be my last game as a Bison, and having that kind of epic comeback and epic ending, that definitely stands out to me.”

What stands out watching Tachinski these days: he's a receiver.

The transition began at last year's CFL combine, when somebody suggested he try it.

“Obviously not every quarterback wants to hear that,” he said. “But I try to put my ego aside. These coaches want the best for you. They're really smart. So I just believed in them and I took a shot.”

As out of place as Tachinski first felt, there was something very much in place, too.

At 6-foot-3, 215 pounds, he definitely had the size. But there was more: a knack for making plays.

“I hadn't done it before,” he said. “And I made a few plays. So they just said that I could probably flourish at that spot in my pro career.”

With that, he officially traded his arm for a set of hands at Edmonton's training camp last year.

Returning to quarterback the Bisons in one final U Sports season, he left that position behind for good, it seems, for another shot with the Elks this spring.

When they cut him loose, the Bombers pounced.

“He's a hell of an athlete,” head coach Mike O'Shea said. “We get the benefit of knowing him personally and having him been here before. He's a great add. He obviously can still sling the ball, too. He gives you a couple different things you can look at. He's a great kid. A hardworking guy.”

And a guy thrilled to get a shot on a field and in a city that feels like home.

“It's awesome,” Tachinski said. “It's really cool to be here. Hometown team, hometown stadium... just a blessing. Obviously it sucks to get cut. But at the end of the day you've got to have a positive outlook on it. And I just saw it as a door closing but another one's going to open. So I'm happy this one opened.”

Entering the Bombers locker-room on Tuesday, he felt even more at home, running into former Bisons teammates Collin Kornelson and Kaleb Mackie-McLeod, the latter also just signed by Winnipeg.

There was also Bisons quarterback Cole Anseewu, taking part in the same internship program that Tachinski participated in a couple years back.

“It's cool just being with them again,” Tachinski said. “Because you play that last game with them and in the back of your head you're thinking I'm never going to play football with these guys again. And you walk in the locker-room and you see them and you're like, 'Oh, maybe I was wrong.'”

Where this will lead, who knows?

As a receiver, Tachinski is already miles ahead of that first day at the combine. Back then he actually had to think about his steps while running a route.

“I was literally thinking about my footwork in the route, like right-left-right, or left-right-left,” he said. “That's probably the biggest difference, is I'm not really thinking about my technique but I'm more thinking about the stuff around me.”

Stuff like what the defence is doing, and where he is in the quarterback's progressions: the first, second, third or fourth read.

Being the guy at the other end of those those throws for so long gives Tachinski a perspective other receivers don't have.

His brother was a university receiver, too, so he's helped.

The only thing he felt out of place about on Tuesday was the play book. But he was going to dive into that at night, come back on Wednesday and start showing he can not just handle the physical stuff, but initiate it.

While he marvels at some of the Canadian quarterbacks in the CFL today, including Winnipeg rookie Taylor Elgersma, who's trying to become the next one, Tachinski is set on his new path, undeterred by the switch he had to make to continue playing the game he loves.

“I'll literally do whatever the coaches want,” he said. “Because I love being part of this atmosphere, being part of a football locker-room and working with those coaches. I can't really describe it. It's a different feeling that people wouldn't know about. And I just want to be part of that. I love the camaraderie. I love just being with those people, and just working out every day.

“That's something that really draws me to it.”

He'll have to learn to play on Specials to really help us. I doubt if he ever has as he was a qb. I wish we'd sign experienced young Canadian receivers in February insead of inexperienced kids in May who have already been cut once & are changing positions that can't even play on kick or punt return.

11 minutes ago, ShyGuy said:

Is Schmekel a new injury or a continuation of last years? I'm not sure they ever publicly disclosed what his injury was last year.

With going on the six game I think technically he only needs to miss the first game, and that opens up a roster spot in the meantime right? Or are roster restrictions more loose during camp?

New injury - he was participating in camp earlier and I believe I saw some reports that he was looking pretty good.

Bombers cut 2 American DL this morning, Arnold Young and Michael Fletcher.

14 hours ago, Booch said:

You don't have to be an "expert" to see we still razor thin at QB and a significant injury there likely kills our hope

"Expert " sentiment isnt required either to see that after our 5 best recievers.. we are razor thin..zero experience let alone depth and no real front runner with exceptional talent to make a difference..which also goes back to the hope ZC has a renesaince again..but he also is a guy who doesn't thrive with inexperienced and less than stellar talent around him at this juncture

The draft..was ok'ish but took a flier on a guy early who we didnt need to, and is a question mark for sure and is only gonna be a bit player as well while missing out on some guys who could likely contribute immediately...then went and took another flier on a guy already signed in NFL and back loaded the rest with a bunch of guys who really won't Crack.. or have no business cracking roster..just more low to no upside guys that we already had a slew of...that being said we nailed free agency so that's a good thing

Not to mention the fact this is a discussion board where Bomber fans of all ilk can share their opinions, perspectives, wild takes whatever.

That's what drives the show here and makes things interesting and engaged.

AND might I add Riders suck.