2024-2025 CFL (non-Bomber) off-season discussion

[Jesse]

Well, it's reneging from the CFL's sloppy announcement when they just said "cap's up by $400k, go mental!".

What is the league going to do to teams that already spent their extra $400k on FA overspends??  Oops.  (HAM, EDM anyone?)

(I'm not saying it's bad or good if the CFLPA changes things (though I'm generally on the side of the players, as in all of them).)

Well, I'm gonna assume that teams got more information than we did.

[Waffler]

From the Sun:

on the new cap

https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-bluebombers/clear-as-mud-bombers-miller-contradicts-own-gm-on-salary-cap-fiasco

[Blue In BC]

From the Sun:

on the new cap

https://winnipegsun.com/sports/football/cfl/winnipeg-bluebombers/clear-as-mud-bombers-miller-contradicts-own-gm-on-salary-cap-fiasco

Aside from extending current players, there isn't much that can be done post free agency to spend the extra cash. IMO. If Wilson comes back from the NFL he's still under contract for 2025. I suppose you could give him a big raise on a new longer deal but he's still be a potential NFL option player going into 2026.

So why would we give him a big raise to play out 2025? I'd be ok with giving him a big raise for 2026 but I wouldn't want to give him a big signing bonus that was paid before he showed up for TC 2026.

There isn't a situation I'm aware of similar to a Rourke or Betts coming back as complete free agents.

[dd]

We aren't going to start spending like crazy just because we have a little more money to do so, that's not our way of doing things. We are going to be fiscally responsible and get good football players within the salary structure the club has laid out per position and save the extra $$ for a time when we're pressed into acquiring a player due to injury.

Agree with Miller on this whole subject. don't look backwards and play the what if game, its useless. Saying we would have signed this player or that player had we known there was extra money is a weak one, as teams that outbid us originally would likely outbid us again as they too have extra money to spend. Move forward and forgetta bout it.!!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Aside from extending current players, there isn't much that can be done post free agency to spend the extra cash. IMO. If Wilson comes back from the NFL he's still under contract for 2025. I suppose you could give him a big raise on a new longer deal but he's still be a potential NFL option player going into 2026.

So why would we give him a big raise to play out 2025? I'd be ok with giving him a big raise for 2026 but I wouldn't want to give him a big signing bonus that was paid before he showed up for TC 2026.

There isn't a situation I'm aware of similar to a Rourke or Betts coming back as complete free agents.

I think it would be safe to stick to Pokey's ELC contract if and when he comes back this season, his following contract could bump him up towards $140k or more if he continues to perform well upon his return.  Being new to the league and from the US South, I don't think he'll have the desire to play in any other CFL city, but it might come down to best offer received.

Just found this clip of Wilson mic'd up in week 9, easy to see his success is built on talent and going full out on every play, he throws some great blocks.

[dd]

Wilson is like any other football player--he wants to play football and make the most money possible. I don't think he has the size and speed metrics to get noticed and get on an NFL PR but he does so that's all the matters.

When he comes back to the CFL, is he still under his old contract, or was he not released to pursue his NFL dream, so he's free to go to any team, and if so, whatever team makes him the best offer will likely take him, just like Muamba did to us after his failed NFL attempt, and most recently Lawler and Dobson via free agency.

[Blue In BC]

Wilson is like any other football player--he wants to play football and make the most money possible. I don't think he has the size and speed metrics to get noticed and get on an NFL PR but he does so that's all the matters.

When he comes back to the CFL, is he still under his old contract, or was he not released to pursue his NFL dream, so he's free to go to any team, and if so, whatever team makes him the best offer will likely take him, just like Muamba did to us after his failed NFL attempt, and most recently Lawler and Dobson via free agency.

He was released to pursue his NFL option deal. However if he returns to the CFL in 2025 he is obligated to return to the Bombers under his initial contract.

That's just the way they set up the NFL option clause.

[TecnoGenius]

Agree with Miller on this whole subject. don't look backwards and play the what if game, its useless.

Sure, don't cry over spilled milk.  Don't worry about what you can't change, that's the Mafia credo.

But once we know the real deal about the $400k we can 100% use the new money to go after remaining options, both FA leftovers and returning NFLers.

Any team not doing so will be at a disadvantage to the teams that are fully spending to the new cap.

[TecnoGenius]

Just found this clip of Wilson mic'd up in week 9, easy to see his success is built on talent and going full out on every play, he throws some great blocks.

That diving catch when he was impeded was insane.  That's just like the best of Dressler.  We haven't seen that in a while.  So few players willing to lay out these days (for instance Schoen never does).

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Sure, don't cry over spilled milk.  Don't worry about what you can't change, that's the Mafia credo.

But once we know the real deal about the $400k we can 100% use the new money to go after remaining options, both FA leftovers and returning NFLers.

Any team not doing so will be at a disadvantage to the teams that are fully spending to the new cap.

Only way I see the Bombers spending

That diving catch when he was impeded was insane.  That's just like the best of Dressler.  We haven't seen that in a while.  So few players willing to lay out these days (for instance Schoen never does).

Yah, no coincidence he gained over 1k in his rookie season, not often the CFL gets an authentic Div 1 receiver from a dominant US college program. I think he has the potential to become the CFL's top receiver if he sticks with it and commits himself to a CFL career.

[dd]

Only way I see the Bombers spending
Yah, no coincidence he gained over 1k in his rookie season, not often the CFL gets an authentic Div 1 receiver from a dominant US college program. I think he has the potential to become the CFL's top receiver if he sticks with it and commits himself to a CFL career.

Agree, and the sooner he comes to that conclusion the better. Milton Stegal couldn't make it in the NFL, and Pokey Wilson ain't no Milt Stegal, hurry up and get this over with!!

[Blue In BC]

This TC might look a little different than in recent past. There are openings but we've signed some CFL veterans that could fill many of them. Where in a given depth chart they end up is more of the question. For example QB and LB. I know what I'd like to see at those roster spots, but don't know how this will shape up. Might see a veteran bumped but by another CFL veteran.

Just an assumption barring injury that Lawson and Parker make the AR. Both may start or be a significant part of the rotation.

It does appear that some players from 2024 will take on starting roles. Griffin and T. Jones that were more primary rotation players last year will be pencilled in to start day 1.

Randolph could end up starting on the OL would be another example that was discussed.

There will be some new faces but I don't think we see the normal number of 1st year rookies. Even our DI's are mostly filled out after adding Logan and J. Jones ( or Wilson ).

I think the 4th DI will be a DL, probably a DE type since we have so many Canadian DT's that could be the AR depth. A DB as a DI is usually a good choice. It will depend on the performance of Kelly and Makonzo as depth.


This is not to suggest that some rookie imports can't win a starting role, but it seems more about winning PR spots.

I expect we see some 2025 draft choice Canadians make the roster as depth to replace some that departed. Just a guess but I think 3 new faces on AR and a couple on PR.

Overall Parker and K. Wilson will see the most competition to start and perhaps be choices as DI's.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Tyrell Ford received numerous offers from the NFL this offseason but signed with the Elks to play with his brother.

https://3downnation.com/2025/04/11/canadian-db-tyrell-ford-turned-down-multiple-nfl-offers-to-stay-in-cfl-sign-with-edmonton-elks/

[Jesse]

Tyrell Ford received numerous offers from the NFL this offseason but signed with the Elks to play with his brother.

https://3downnation.com/2025/04/11/canadian-db-tyrell-ford-turned-down-multiple-nfl-offers-to-stay-in-cfl-sign-with-edmonton-elks/

Two try out offers...he wasn't actually offered a contract to play.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Two try out offers...he wasn't actually offered a contract to play.

Ok, multiple offers.