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

26 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

It's the CFL, smart decisions can fix this.

To the level of winning Grey Cups? Not immediately.

Start at QB. Half our wins this season are a 38 year old QB dragging this team into games. After the Ottawa start, Dru Brown has mostly been awful. So are we gambling that a new OC can spark him to be a top CFL starter calibre player?

D has no inkling to make plays on the ball. You need a complete mentality change there and probably about 2/3rds of the personnel.

OL we have no Canadians under 35 who are starting calibre players. Demski is cooked. You basically need to find 4-5 starting level Canadians on O unless you're going to flip to starting 3-4 on D. Who do we have on D? A few role players, maybe Smith is ready to take a step.

This is like a 2-3 year turn around if things go well just based on the lack of Canadian depth. Can buttress that a bit with free agents but it's mostly going to be guys like Nield.

So do you bring back Dru Brown knowing it costs you another 1st rounder or move on?

On D, you have Smith, Kramdi, Lawson who can start but where's the depth?

How do you fix the Oline ?

I'd give Brown and Ellegersma another chance, with a full TC under their belts

There are older players, but there is some good relatively young talent to build around.

Broxton, Eli, Singer, O. Wilson, Brady O, Peterson, Nield

Vaval, Lawson, T. Jones, Kramdi

21 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

How do you fix the Oline ?

Start with Eli and Broxton, Randolph at one guard spot

14 minutes ago, Mark H. said:

I'd give Brown and Ellegersma another chance, with a full TC under their belts

There are older players, but there is some good relatively young talent to build around.

Broxton, Eli, Singer, O. Wilson, Brady O, Peterson, Nield

Vaval, Lawson, T. Jones, Kramdi

Start with Eli and Broxton, Randolph at one guard spot

Randolph is with the Argos. I'm guessing you meant Vanterpool?

2 minutes ago, bigg jay said:

Randolph is with the Argos. I'm guessing you meant Vanterpool?

Yes

Given our Canadian talent are we ok with surrendering a second 1st rounder for Brown?

29 minutes ago, Mark H. said:

I'd give Brown and Ellegersma another chance, with a full TC under their belts

There are older players, but there is some good relatively young talent to build around.

Broxton, Eli, Singer, O. Wilson, Brady O, Peterson, Nield

Vaval, Lawson, T. Jones, Kramdi

Start with Eli and Broxton, Randolph at one guard spot

Unless something comes across our scouts desk and free agency that can’t be ignored I think the BB’s have to go into 2027 with Brown, Ellegersma and Perkins and have them battle it out for 1, 2 and 3 allocation.

31 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Given our Canadian talent are we ok with surrendering a second 1st rounder for Brown?

Yes because there are more Canadian players than quality QBs.

Look no one is saying make a top contender for next year, but getting to the playoffs? That's not unreasonable while also starting to build towards more.

I know it's been a frustrating season but it's not nearly as doom and gloom as some are saying...

16 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

Yes because there are more Canadian players than quality QBs.

Look no one is saying make a top contender for next year, but getting to the playoffs? That's not unreasonable while also starting to build towards more.

I know it's been a frustrating season but it's not nearly as doom and gloom as some are saying...

Is making the playoffs and being 8th out of 9 and losing in the first round that great because that's likely what happens next year.

19 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

Is making the playoffs and being 8th out of 9 and losing in the first round that great because that's likely what happens next year.

I don't see why they can't be more than that. They were damned close to being more than that this year with all sorts of pants on head ******** moves.

It sounds crazy but i think we go after Chad Kelly in the offseason,actually i think every team but Montreal and BC will go after him....should be an interesting off season.

26 minutes ago, 17to85 said:

I don't see why they can't be more than that. They were damned close to being more than that this year with all sorts of pants on head ******** moves.

1. Collaros is sadly our best option at QB and he's declining and about to be 39.

2. Brown has looked awful this year.

3. Assuming Bryant retires and Broxton moves to LT, we still don't have an in house RT option.

4. Neither Eli or Ellsbury has looked great at C. Does the club keep both, one or move on? Potentially another spot on the oline to fill.

5. Neufeld may retire.

6. Wallace is a pending free agent.

7. 5+6 means potentially we need two new guards.

8. Demski is aging and we don't have much else at WR in terms of nationals.

9. Jefferson and Ceresna are both aging, declining and overpaid. Does the club have the guts to move on from one or both?

10. Our Canadian talent isn't great and our best pieces there with the exception of Smith are older.

I'd say its a bigger fix then you think.

1 hour ago, bb1 said:

It sounds crazy but i think we go after Chad Kelly in the offseason,actually i think every team but Montreal and BC will go after him....should be an interesting off season.

2 hours ago, Mark H. said:

I'd give Brown and Ellegersma another chance, with a full TC under their belts

There are older players, but there is some good relatively young talent to build around.

Broxton, Eli, Singer, O. Wilson, Brady O, Peterson, Nield

Vaval, Lawson, T. Jones, Kramdi

Start with Eli and Broxton, Randolph at one guard spot

That's a lot of role players, nice pieces, not game changers outside of Brady. If we use him for anything other than blocking.

And most of those guys are 30+ next season already.

7 hours ago, 17to85 said:

It's not to the point of a full on rebuild. Just needs some strategic changes. Like they're at worst and 8 win team with a few things going different could have won double digits.

There's no need for over reactions. Just make some smart moves in the offseason.

you seldom need full on rebuilds in the cfl. Even then you can and should turn around quickly if you put competent people in the right positions.

4 hours ago, rebusrankin said:

So do you bring back Dru Brown knowing it costs you another 1st rounder or move on?

On D, you have Smith, Kramdi, Lawson who can start but where's the depth?

How do you fix the Oline ?

The only way you don’t bring back brown is if you find a much better qb for less. Chances of that are pretty damn slim.

You kick big stan to the curb and bring in another high end tackle.

You need 2 legit guys for each hole on the ol. So bring in a top end tackle and bring back randolph if you can or a similar guy if not.

We got vanterpool for a back up inside, but we need to bring in atleast one good vet guy between g and c. Two if paddy retires.

Then you need to bring in another high end canadian and a decent development lower guy. maybe one or both will be cline/manu. But if they aren’t under contract by the draft you need to fill it with picks.

After that, you send them all to war for starting spots and play the best bar none.

1 hour ago, rebusrankin said:

1. Collaros is sadly our best option at QB and he's declining and about to be 39.

2. Brown has looked awful this year.

3. Assuming Bryant retires and Broxton moves to LT, we still don't have an in house RT option.

4. Neither Eli or Ellsbury has looked great at C. Does the club keep both, one or move on? Potentially another spot on the oline to fill.

5. Neufeld may retire.

6. Wallace is a pending free agent.

7. 5+6 means potentially we need two new guards.

8. Demski is aging and we don't have much else at WR in terms of nationals.

9. Jefferson and Ceresna are both aging, declining and overpaid. Does the club have the guts to move on from one or both?

10. Our Canadian talent isn't great and our best pieces there with the exception of Smith are older.

I'd say its a bigger fix then you think.

Zachs not even an option for a team in play off contention next year. He can’t play consistently enough in terms of quality and quantity.

Brown has had decent flashes, but our play call and rosters have been putrid too. Sadly we won’t get a look at brown with another oc before an extension happens. That would be a huge advantage to gauge how much is tc.

I really like poncius. And vanterpool could be an answer at rt. But i wouldn’t bet on either to the point of not bringing in high end guys.

Eli has been drastically better than Elsbury. I’m not against bringing back elsbury to see if the year two jump is huge, but he’d be on the bottom of the depth chart for me.

We need to bring in atleast one interior ol to push for a spot on top of possibly neuf though. again vanterpool could be that, but we need a deep competition in camp.

Eli isn’t a big concern to me, but the lack of progress from vibert is.

No to Collaros. Yes to Brown. I doubt there is a better QB other than Oh So Punchable Kelly.

No to Byrant and Neuf. Too old to become part of any rebuild.

Elsbury can take his passport and move on.

Neild can just leave too. Demski's on his last legs, not needed for a rebuild.

25 minutes ago, TBURGESS said:

No to Collaros. Yes to Brown. I doubt there is a better QB other than Oh So Punchable Kelly.

No to Byrant and Neuf. Too old to become part of any rebuild.

Elsbury can take his passport and move on.

Neild can just leave too. Demski's on his last legs, not needed for a rebuild.

We will have to be aggressive and proactive for a re tool to put us in a good position for next year. All of that would be a good start.

Guys like neuf, and demski can be brought back down the road if other guys don’t pan out or get hurt.

1 hour ago, TBURGESS said:

No to Collaros. Yes to Brown. I doubt there is a better QB other than Oh So Punchable Kelly.

No to Byrant and Neuf. Too old to become part of any rebuild.

Elsbury can take his passport and move on.

Neild can just leave too. Demski's on his last legs, not needed for a rebuild.

Lots of money saved by cutting the vets you mentioned. Can easily upgrade on several spots with that extra money.

On 2026-10-17 at 9:05 AM, Slimy Sculpin said:

That was another frustrating game to watch. Another good half until the SK kick return and subsequent TD. I had a (bad) gut feeling at that point especially since SK was to start the second half with the ball. And, sure enough the Bombers did it again!

I had a quick look at some of the simple team stats and kept it to the West only. So, the Bombers are 5th in points scored per game and 4th in points allowed per game. And, come in 5th in point differential at -39. This is definitely not a winning combination. The Bombers are basically where they should be in the standings. I hate to say it but it might be a "good" thing if they finish last in the West and out of the playoffs. Hopefully, the required (IMO) shakeup will then occur.

Maybe.

My concern in dropping Demski is that we have nothing at National WR behind him.

18 minutes ago, rebusrankin said:

My concern in dropping Demski is that we have nothing at National WR behind him.

Dante DANIELS, TE | CFL Stats

Career statistics, game logs and transactions for Dante DANIELS of the WPG on CFL Stats.

KW (probably): We've already got our future #1 NI receiver! And wait until you see him block...

The CND content isn't as bad as some are making it seem. If they can scoop up another FA starter or two it's plenty fine imo. Assuming they start the minimum amount.

Brady
Demski
Clericus
Kradmi
Smith
Eli
Wallace

But the biggest question mark is Collaros. I know people don't want him back, but the reality is, if he wants to come back MOS/KW will 100% be bringing him back. If that's the case, I think they should let Brown walk. If Collaros decides to hang them up, you keep Brown. #1 round picks are worth a quality backup QB.

Oline is a bit of a rough spot. Could be losing 2 "starters". Bryant shouldn't be back next year, or if he is, can't be playing T. Nuef may also say bye bye.
I'm still not convinced that Clericus cant be a very useful slot rec, not completely replacing Demski, but he could be used more. Though I think Demski is back anyways.

On defence, we need at least 1 Edge rusher, 1 LB and 1 DB and completely new mentality. I would move on from Willie and Nichols.

This draft they should be looking at guys who could start next year. No more projects/special teamers who may turn into something one day.

9 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

The CND content isn't as bad as some are making it seem. If they can scoop up another FA starter or two it's plenty fine imo. Assuming they start the minimum amount.

Brady
Demski
Clericus
Kradmi
Smith
Eli
Wallace

But the biggest question mark is Collaros. I know people don't want him back, but the reality is, if he wants to come back MOS/KW will 100% be bringing him back. If that's the case, I think they should let Brown walk. If Collaros decides to hang them up, you keep Brown. #1 round picks are worth a quality backup QB.

Oline is a bit of a rough spot. Could be losing 2 "starters". Bryant shouldn't be back next year, or if he is, can't be playing T. Nuef may also say bye bye.
I'm still not convinced that Clericus cant be a very useful slot rec, not completely replacing Demski, but he could be used more. Though I think Demski is back anyways.

On defence, we need at least 1 Edge rusher, 1 LB and 1 DB and completely new mentality. I would move on from Willie and Nichols.

This draft they should be looking at guys who could start next year. No more projects/special teamers who may turn into something one day.

Clercius is a pending FA - I would not be shocked if he's not back.

Wallace is also a pending FA so he could very well walk as well.

Demski is about to turn 33 - he's got a lot of miles on him so I'm not sure how long you can count on him as a starter. They will ride him until after it's too late though.

Eli has started 2 games in a row but this regime has shown they do not have faith in him so I'm not sure I would pencil him in as a starter for next season.