Unofficial list of FAs out on 3down.

Not a ton of guys I'd want back really.

Dru, Gabe Wallace, MCI, Cam Allen, Griffin,

Maybe for the right price, Sheahan, Clercius

Hallet is good on teams

Tim White played well but is $$$

3DownNation

Winnipeg Blue Bombers have nearly 30 pending CFL free age...

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers saw their season come to an end on Saturday following a 33-23 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Final. The team’s most high-profile pending free agent is franchise q

Quarterback

Dru Brown (A)
Zach Collaros (A)

Running back

None

Fullback

Michael Chris-Ike (N)

Receiver

Kevens Clercius (N)
Gavin Cobb (N)
Tim White (A)

Offensive line

Stanley Bryant (A)
Patrick Neufeld (N)
Micah Vanterpool (A)
Gabe Wallace (N)

Defensive line

Willie Jefferson (A)
Kydran Jenkins (A)
Thiadric Hansen (G)
Matt Jaworski (A)
Tanner Schmekel (N)

Linebacker

Michael Ayers (A)
Tony Jones (A)
Jovan Santos-Knox (A)
Kyrie Wilson (A)
Jaiden Woodbey (A)

Defensive back

Cam Allen (A)
Michael Griffin II (A)
Nick Hallett (N)
Jake Kelly (N)
Deatrick Nichols (A)

Specialists

Jamieson Sheahan (G)

2 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Brown literally saved our season from the brink of missing the playoffs, then won a playoff game. Crum's lone achievement in the CFL is still the Crumback game, which was meaningless in the end. Brown was better this year here than Crum has ever been, including this year in his limited action on the best team in the league. And despite Brown having the worst system to work with, one of the worst OLs most of the time, and WRs who couldn't catch a cold in 50/50 situations.

None of the mid-tier QBs, or any other QB that will be available, is going to offer more hope than brown. Most won't offer anything but fool's gold. It's just like the 2009 offseason when we pushed off KG.

Coming off the bench.
Yes the playoff game that should have been a walk where he missed 2 wide open deep shots. But instead needed to rely on a fluke fumble and what was essentially a horrible defensive call to win. I get that those things happen in football, but pretending like he was on some run is odd to say the least. He was under 200 yards until that final pass and threw as many INTs as he did TDs. Change the name to Collaros and we're talking about how poorly he did.

Crum is awful... Hilarious to say that he's a better option than Brown. It's a sad state of affairs on the CFL right now for QBs.

Brown has his limitations but he's the best of the bunch. Crum has yet to demonstrate he can throw the ball effectively on a consistent basis.

1 hour ago, rebusrankin said:

Brown has his limitations but he's the best of the bunch. Crum has yet to demonstrate he can throw the ball effectively on a consistent basis.

I tend to agree. Brown seems better than anything out there in FA, despite his faults.

2 hours ago, Bigblue204 said:

Coming off the bench.
Yes the playoff game that should have been a walk where he missed 2 wide open deep shots. But instead needed to rely on a fluke fumble and what was essentially a horrible defensive call to win. I get that those things happen in football, but pretending like he was on some run is odd to say the least. He was under 200 yards until that final pass and threw as many INTs as he did TDs. Change the name to Collaros and we're talking about how poorly he did.

Yes, which is still more than Crum has done. Also, I broke down his numbers after that game: he has been sacked less than 3 times in a game, both starting and off the bench, and his numbers are excellent. Crum's upside is as many TDs as INTs and 200-ish yards with some rushing yards. Browns upside is 400- 4, and 0 +. Crum's best games came as a rookie. After that, he had 2 solid games back to back vs bc and a whole lot of bad ones.

Shots missed as many or more on our wr group than brown.

Brown didn't play great by any means in the semi; don't get me wrong. Change his name to Nichols, though, and we are singing his praises for doing what it takes to get the W.

As it is, Brown has the ability to come off the bench and win big games. We've seen it going back to his first go-around here. That is something Crum does not have. Historically, that is easier to mold into a great QB than a guy who plays well in the first couple scripted drives, then can't do anything.

Brown should not be anointed QB1 if he comes back and if Zach retires. He does give us the best chance at a QB1, and an elite QB1, though. Unless something drastic changes in this league any way.

I would consider taking both if Zach is gone and we can't get a better vet. We really need a lot of pressure to try and forge the QB of the future. Almost no chance that guy is just gonna walk in via free agency and be turnkey. Young QBs need pressure and competition. If you get Brown, Crum (or similar), Perkins, and Elgersma all in camp together with no clear-cut depth chart, someone will rise to the challenge if they all have to play their way onto the roster.

Elgersma is the biggest hope of the group. For my money, Perkins has more ceiling than Crum. Crum has a fairly high floor; Brown has the highest floor and the second-highest ceiling.

When you look at the tier of QBs who are in the tier below the starters, Maier, Frost, Ford, MBT, Arbuckle, Crum, and Powell, you don't have an answer to anyone's QB1 question. Powell, I doubt, will even be available. All you can do, outside of the few starters who aren't gonna move, is take the upside/tool you like and balance youth with cost. I take Dru brown over everyone in that group every day of the week and twice on game day.

2 hours ago, TBURGESS said:

If not Brown then who?

A dog's breakfast.

Harris, Alexander, Pest, Fajardo, Rourke, Adams, and BLM won't be available. Two of those guys really need to pack it in, anyway.

We don't have a 1st-tier or 2nd-tier starting QB. We aren't going to add someone who is magically in that range. Brown, with a competent OL or WR core, and OC, not great- just competent, is mid- to high-range of the 2nd tier next year.

1 hour ago, wpgallday1960 said:

I tend to agree. Brown seems better than anything out there in FA, despite his faults.

Because it seems that so much of the struggles the team had this year come down to poor coaching on both sides of the ball, before the team goes anywhere, there HAS to be a major shakeup in the coaches. If the same lot comes back next year, I will e hard pressed to care as much about the team, I would bet there are a lot of other fans who feel the same way. One more year of "good enough" attitude from Walters and O"Shea and there will be such a defeatist culture among the players that the best will give up and want out and the rest will decide to coast through the season. That could take another couple of years to correct after the shakeup finally happens.

48 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

Yes, which is still more than Crum has done. Also, I broke down his numbers after that game: he has been sacked less than 3 times in a game, both starting and off the bench, and his numbers are excellent. Crum's upside is as many TDs as INTs and 200-ish yards with some rushing yards. Browns upside is 400- 4, and 0 +. Crum's best games came as a rookie. After that, he had 2 solid games back to back vs bc and a whole lot of bad ones.

Shots missed as many or more on our wr group than brown.

Brown didn't play great by any means in the semi; don't get me wrong. Change his name to Nichols, though, and we are singing his praises for doing what it takes to get the W.

As it is, Brown has the ability to come off the bench and win big games. We've seen it going back to his first go-around here. That is something Crum does not have. Historically, that is easier to mold into a great QB than a guy who plays well in the first couple scripted drives, then can't do anything.

Brown should not be anointed QB1 if he comes back and if Zach retires. He does give us the best chance at a QB1, and an elite QB1, though. Unless something drastic changes in this league any way.

I would consider taking both if Zach is gone and we can't get a better vet. We really need a lot of pressure to try and forge the QB of the future. Almost no chance that guy is just gonna walk in via free agency and be turnkey. Young QBs need pressure and competition. If you get Brown, Crum (or similar), Perkins, and Elgersma all in camp together with no clear-cut depth chart, someone will rise to the challenge if they all have to play their way onto the roster.

Elgersma is the biggest hope of the group. For my money, Perkins has more ceiling than Crum. Crum has a fairly high floor; Brown has the highest floor and the second-highest ceiling.

When you look at the tier of QBs who are in the tier below the starters, Maier, Frost, Ford, MBT, Arbuckle, Crum, and Powell, you don't have an answer to anyone's QB1 question. Powell, I doubt, will even be available. All you can do, outside of the few starters who aren't gonna move, is take the upside/tool you like and balance youth with cost. I take Dru brown over everyone in that group every day of the week and twice on game day.

All Fair points. I suppose with TE and Perkins, Dru could still be a 1B QB and come in off the bench if needed.

22 minutes ago, Tracker said:

Because it seems that so much of the struggles the team had this year come down to poor coaching on both sides of the ball, before the team goes anywhere, there HAS to be a major shakeup in the coaches. If the same lot comes back next year, I will e hard pressed to care as much about the team, I would bet there are a lot of other fans who feel the same way. One more year of "good enough" attitude from Walters and O"Shea and there will be such a defeatist culture among the players that the best will give up and want out and the rest will decide to coast through the season. That could take another couple of years to correct after the shakeup finally happens.

If they run it back with the coaches, I'll probably be listening to the game on OB most of the year. As it is, I'm not spending another dollar on this team until we see meaningful change.

4 hours ago, Mike said:

Bringing back Condell makes me wonder if we have zero interest in bringing back Dru because I cannot imagine why he’d want to work with Condell anymore at this point

Because out HC is clueless. He probably wants Dru back but thinks the two can work together. Remains to be seen if they can. We also know that if Zach doesn't hang them up then he'll be the starter with a brand new contract.

3 minutes ago, Bigblue204 said:

All Fair points. I suppose with TE and Perkins, Dru could still be a 1B QB and come in off the bench if needed.

As of right now, that would probably be our best option. Let teams prepare for Perkins; script out 3-4 drives' worth of plays for Perkins where he can use his legs; then, if he falters, swap to Brown with a quick hook. Let him run some quick 1-2 step drop timing stuff. Make 1 of the 3 win full-time QB1 role.

If TE takes a step forward going into next year's camp, I think he is instantly a 1B QB. Such a damn shame we had so many one-sided games with Quarters and half of the games that could've gone to further developing TE and Perkins.

9 minutes ago, SpeedFlex27 said:

Because out HC is clueless. He probably wants Dru back but thinks the two can work together. Remains to be seen if they can. We also know that if Zach doesn't hang them up then he'll be the starter with a brand new contract.

If mos, and TC are back, I wouldn't be stunned if we bring zach back for one more go. Even wouldn't be surprised if we give him stupid money.

1 minute ago, wbbfan said:

As of right now, that would probably be our best option. Let teams prepare for Perkins; script out 3-4 drives' worth of plays for Perkins where he can use his legs; then, if he falters, swap to Brown with a quick hook. Let him run some quick 1-2 step drop timing stuff. Make 1 of the 3 win full-time QB1 role.

If TE takes a step forward going into next year's camp, I think he is instantly a 1B QB. Such a damn shame we had so many one-sided games with Quarters and half of the games that could've gone to further developing TE and Perkins.

If mos, and TC are back, I wouldn't be stunned if we bring zach back for one more go. Even wouldn't be surprised if we give him stupid money.

Nope & Brown is outta here. Say what you want about Brown but it's becoming clear that the wheel has flipped. Even in the short term, he gives us the best chance to win. Another problem arises as well, if they re-sign Zach & let Brown go to free agency then who.... who the .... is our long term qb???? What a mistake it'll be to bring Zach back as long term It'll be 2011-14 in the qb wilderness all over again when he finally retires. What a nightmare that was.

Edited Thursday at 07:13 PM2 days by SpeedFlex27

3 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

As of right now, that would probably be our best option. Let teams prepare for Perkins; script out 3-4 drives' worth of plays for Perkins where he can use his legs; then, if he falters, swap to Brown with a quick hook. Let him run some quick 1-2 step drop timing stuff. Make 1 of the 3 win full-time QB1 role.

If TE takes a step forward going into next year's camp, I think he is instantly a 1B QB. Such a damn shame we had so many one-sided games with Quarters and half of the games that could've gone to further developing TE and Perkins.

If mos, and TC are back, I wouldn't be stunned if we bring zach back for one more go. Even wouldn't be surprised if we give him stupid money.

That’s the thing, I can’t remember MOS and TC ever scripting plays having a customized package (other than short yardage) for DB and BP and deploying it in a game when ZC was the starter. I remember MOS and Buck I think using Strev as a decoy but that was just gross and ineffective. They are hung up on this starter begins and ends the game other than if he incurs serious injury. They have no creativity and risk tolerance to deploy different qbs at strategic times throughout a game. None.

4 hours ago, Bigblue204 said:

There are other mid-tier vet QBs hitting FA that offer some semblance of hope they'll get over the hump. If I had to choose out of the potential FA qbs, my first choice would be Crum.

I like Crum, too. I think he can be good with a decent supporting cast.

3 hours ago, wbbfan said:

Brown was better this year here than Crum has ever been, including this year in his limited action on the best team in the league.

Crum was 37-46 for 338 yards and no picks in six quarters as a starter with the Als without having Philpot or Snead in the lineup.

In 2025 he and Brown had similar passing numbers on a terrible team. Crum provides a running threat that Brown doesn’t.

I’d like to see them both here with an open competition for the starting job.

3 minutes ago, wbbfan said:

As of right now, that would probably be our best option. Let teams prepare for Perkins; script out 3-4 drives' worth of plays for Perkins where he can use his legs; then, if he falters, swap to Brown with a quick hook. Let him run some quick 1-2 step drop timing stuff. Make 1 of the 3 win full-time QB1 role.

If TE takes a step forward going into next year's camp, I think he is instantly a 1B QB. Such a damn shame we had so many one-sided games with Quarters and half of the games that could've gone to further developing TE and Perkins.

If mos, and TC are back, I wouldn't be stunned if we bring zach back for one more go. Even wouldn't be surprised if we give him stupid money.

Yeah..if ZC moved on..like he should unless we break the bank on olineman and WRz's then best bet is a 500k bonus laden deal. With an OC that knows how to construct and then manage a roster around his qb talent..and use the skilled players around him right we could probably see a more than effective offence in my opiniin

And along with that develop package(s) with Perkins and use his strengths..and hey maybe realize some others...imagine that..I'd also like to see 2qb sets where u actually integrate plays wh ere both have a purpose and can be a threat out there..not just a lame decoy everyone knows won't be involved

TE still on fence with..need to see some serious growth and progression but currently I still dont see a lot of successful future with him..

Sadly tho from sounds all coaching will be back..and only way I can really get on board with that and have any optimism is if all are on a very very short leash and if 4..6 games in its just a repeat of the same ol nonesense than Walters needs to put on his big boy GM pants and get rid of..whomever

Based on osh's and TC's history and basically are what they are i have zero optimism with either...JY..still kinda on fence..was he a victim of Osh's mandates on who plays, how we play them..and in the end who he gave him to use?? I kinda feel it is..but if he was all on board with that..the usage and who he used..how much and where..than hes as dumb or dumber than osh and tc..and having 3 idiots in the 3 top spots of your staff...good luck with that.

Talk about 3 blind mice

1 minute ago, sweep the leg said:

I like Crum, too. I think he can be good with a decent supporting cast.

Crum was 37-46 for 338 yards and no picks in six quarters as a starter with the Als without having Philpot or Snead in the lineup.

In 2025 he and Brown had similar passing numbers on a terrible team. Crum provides a running threat that Brown doesn’t.

I’d like to see them both here with an open competition for the starting job.

Id like to see open competitionacross the board..as it should be. And that competition should be in effect and monitored all yr as well...earn it each week..or sit

We know tho that won't happen here tho...and I doubt osh has ability to see who actually earned anything...if he sees 3+yrs for your career..especially if all here..and or you are a marginal canadian who "tries" hard..cause most have to all the time to just even have a chance to stick as a role player..in his mind you are a slam dunk and spot cemented

1 minute ago, Booch said:

TE still on fence with..need to see some serious growth and progression but currently I still dont see a lot of successful future with him..

I think he’s a multi-year project. I’d consider trading him for a Canadian somewhere else on the roster while he still presumably has high value.

Just now, sweep the leg said:

I think he’s a multi-year project. I’d consider trading him for a Canadian somewhere else on the roster while he still presumably has high value.

Yup..a top "young" canadian olineman Who just in his prime and can be a fixture here for 3 to 6 yrs minimum

Just now, sweep the leg said:

I like Crum, too. I think he can be good with a decent supporting cast.

Crum was 37-46 for 338 yards and no picks in six quarters as a starter with the Als without having Philpot or Snead in the lineup.

In 2025 he and Brown had similar passing numbers on a terrible team. Crum provides a running threat that Brown doesn’t.

I’d like to see them both here with an open competition for the starting job.

6 quarters of garbage time at the end of the season, which is still a lot more snaps than a games worth.

In 25, dru brown had 3 games of 370+ passing yards on 74%+ completion rate with 9 tds and 2 ints in those 3 games. Crums best 3 games that year average under 300 passing yards, and 1 td per game. Crum did it against 2 of the worst pass Ds in the league, Brown faced atleast above average pass Ds. Browns best game last year was 1 td shy of crums entire year of tds.

Crum was also sacked 27 times in 234 passing attempts. Brown was sacked 11 times in 274 passing attempts. In Browns career, he has 1087 passing attempts and 49 sacks. Crum has 793 passing attempts and 96 sacks. Crum doesn't have the release to beat pressure, and his running comes at a cost.

8.7 Yards per attempt for brown, 7.6 for crum.

Brown had 9 30+ passes, crum had 2.

I would take Crum. He isn't a replacement for Brown, or a guy you should expect to be win QB1. But it does need to be a battle and we need another vet with upside to make every roster spot at QB a battle.

8 minutes ago, Booch said:

Id like to see open competitionacross the board..as it should be. And that competition should be in effect and monitored all yr as well...earn it each week..or sit

We know tho that won't happen here tho...

yeah, I don’t expect that to happen it’s just what I would do.

12 minutes ago, Booch said:

Yeah..if ZC moved on..like he should unless we break the bank on olineman and WRz's then best bet is a 500k bonus laden deal. With an OC that knows how to construct and then manage a roster around his qb talent..and use the skilled players around him right we could probably see a more than effective offence in my opiniin

And along with that develop package(s) with Perkins and use his strengths..and hey maybe realize some others...imagine that..I'd also like to see 2qb sets where u actually integrate plays wh ere both have a purpose and can be a threat out there..not just a lame decoy everyone knows won't be involved

TE still on fence with..need to see some serious growth and progression but currently I still dont see a lot of successful future with him..

Sadly tho from sounds all coaching will be back..and only way I can really get on board with that and have any optimism is if all are on a very very short leash and if 4..6 games in its just a repeat of the same ol nonesense than Walters needs to put on his big boy GM pants and get rid of..whomever

Based on osh's and TC's history and basically are what they are i have zero optimism with either...JY..still kinda on fence..was he a victim of Osh's mandates on who plays, how we play them..and in the end who he gave him to use?? I kinda feel it is..but if he was all on board with that..the usage and who he used..how much and where..than hes as dumb or dumber than osh and tc..and having 3 idiots in the 3 top spots of your staff...good luck with that.

Talk about 3 blind mice

The poise, accuracy, and ability to run at least a short offence were far ahead of where I expected him to be this year.

We know he has the raw talent. He showed more of the intangibles than I thought he had this year. And that's everything when it comes to fulfilling potential.

He needs to take a step next year, and every young guy needs to do that every year. If he does, and even if Perkins does, I think he at least passes Perkins on the chart.

I would not give the keys to Crum, I'd rather they give Perkins and TE a chance. It's very much unfortunate that they gave Perkins zero real play time this season. It would have been nice to see if he could have performed (or not).

On 2026-11-10 at 9:29 PM, Subzero said:

No love for T. Jones? I thought he played well this year, especially against MTL getting to him in the first meeting and playoff game.

I’m excited about the players with have under contract next year. Hopefully we can add some good Fa’s.

I think dru brown could give us 8-10 wins at least.

Tony Jones was very good again this year despite what you will hear on this forum.

So why is Brown out of here? Where is he going to go to be the number one quarterback next season? He’s likely back in Winnipeg, hopefully on a proven it deal with T.E and Perkins behind him. There’s absolutely no way Crum is even in the same category as Brown, or being a starter in this league..

50 minutes ago, Arnold_Palmer said:

So why is Brown out of here? Where is he going to go to be the number one quarterback next season? He’s likely back in Winnipeg, hopefully on a proven it deal with T.E and Perkins behind him. There’s absolutely no way Crum is even in the same category as Brown, or being a starter in this league..

The only wrench in this is Condell and what the relationship is like between the two after the last couple of years....

6 hours ago, Brandon said:

I would not give the keys to Crum, I'd rather they give Perkins and TE a chance. It's very much unfortunate that they gave Perkins zero real play time this season. It would have been nice to see if he could have performed (or not).

Yeah...go with hat we got...Sign Dru on a fair but incentive laden deal

The price to add Crum, for basically just a role and zero chance to be a legit starter that will be considered top tier...Not worth it and money can be better spent elsewhere. Primarily to aid whomever wins QB1 outta camp...Key word...wins

5 hours ago, Arnold_Palmer said:

So why is Brown out of here? Where is he going to go to be the number one quarterback next season? He’s likely back in Winnipeg, hopefully on a proven it deal with T.E and Perkins behind him. There’s absolutely no way Crum is even in the same category as Brown, or being a starter in this league..

Basically....yup