https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/08/12/blue-bombers-transactions-august-12/?fbclid=IwQ0xDSwMIjPJjbGNrAwiMMWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEeF5OUG_U0uoYZRr5IXKbkg-oz-dJcUFRnOSTjV2JVGvj6YkgV2EVYD_P4Jw4_aem_T-M0vbwtOHzt5YwW_HOMLg
News
August 12, 2025
Blue Bombers transactions – August 12
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following transactions:
Released from roster:
National long snapper Mike Benson
A long term and exceptional player who has served this club as well as any vet over the last few decades. I thank him for his service and wish him the best of luck. A pillar of stability. Will be missed.
Oh. That's unfortunate. I questioned whether he should be re-signed for 2025 when it appeared we had Leroux as the long term replacement.
Benson was a very good LS and I doubt earning that much. That said, I don't think he'd replace Leroux at this point so a release seemed almost inevitable.
Good luck in the future and thanks for games you played.
Another team lost their LS recently so he might get a call as a seasoned and very good player at his position. A short term rental perhaps.
We could have kept him on the 6 game for the season in appreciation for his service.
I expect that he got healthy and asked for his release with the anticipation of signing elsewhere, or moving on from football.
Quote from: theaardvark on August 12, 2025, 09:19:07 PMWe could have kept him on the 6 game for the season in appreciation for his service.
I expect that he got healthy and asked for his release with the anticipation of signing elsewhere, or moving on from football.
Good points
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 12, 2025, 09:13:37 PMOh. That's unfortunate. I questioned whether he should be re-signed for 2025 when it appeared we had Leroux as the long term replacement.
Benson was a very good LS and I doubt earning that much. That said, I don't think he'd replace Leroux at this point so a release seemed almost inevitable.
Good luck in the future and thanks for games you played.
Another team lost their LS recently so he might get a call as a seasoned and very good player at his position. A short term rental perhaps.
Love it, I knew someone talked about this in the offseason, memory is bad but you jogged it
Hopefully healthy enough to get picked up. Never want to go out on an injury!!!
Mods we did this 3 seconds a part lol
Merge please
Quote from: theaardvark on August 12, 2025, 09:19:07 PMWe could have kept him on the 6 game for the season in appreciation for his service.
I expect that he got healthy and asked for his release with the anticipation of signing elsewhere, or moving on from football.
Benson planned to retire after last season and was pretty emotional about it, but I guess something made him reconsider. Surprised the Bombers didn't go with Leroux the first time for obvious reasons, but the end results are now the same.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers release veteran long snapper Mike Benson - 3DownNation https://share.google/8rCIV4mcMXxvO1DUE
Kind of a weird move for us... but if that's what he wanted...
Glad we already have a great replacement in-house. Finally a win for KW & co.
As always, the moral of the story in football is: don't. get. injured.
Willie J should put on clinics in this.
According to this Paul Friesen article (https://winnipegsun.com/sports/bittersweet-moment-blue-bombers-hand-pink-slip-to-veteran-mike-benson) Benson's contract would become guaranteed 48 hours before the Blue Bombers 9th game (Thursday). He was released just hours prior to triggering the guarantee.
It sounds like Benson would be interested if another team came calling. Currently, Hamilton & Calgary are using backup long snappers.
'Bittersweet moment': Blue Bombers hand pink slip to veteran Benson | Winnipeg Sun https://share.google/KsqYoBD1txTCcq83I
Quote from: Stats Junkie on August 13, 2025, 07:14:40 AMAccording to this Paul Friesen article (https://winnipegsun.com/sports/bittersweet-moment-blue-bombers-hand-pink-slip-to-veteran-mike-benson) Benson's contract would become guaranteed 48 hours before the Blue Bombers 9th game (Thursday). He was released just hours prior to triggering the guarantee.
It sounds like Benson would be interested if another team came calling. Currently, Hamilton & Calgary are using backup long snappers.
As much as it sucks for Benson and the Bombers I like it from an organizational standpoint. To be successful in this game your front office needs to be ruthless in the pursuit of output versus SMS. I'm sure it was a very tough conversation but that's the way it needs to be and frankly, we probably should be making more of these.
Oh, this is unfortunate news.
Best of luck in your future endeavours, Mr. Benson!
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on August 13, 2025, 01:39:49 PMAs much as it sucks for Benson and the Bombers I like it from an organizational standpoint. To be successful in this game your front office needs to be ruthless in the pursuit of output versus SMS. I'm sure it was a very tough conversation but that's the way it needs to be and frankly, we probably should be making more of these.
Cal Murphy was like this, while I don't agree with it, football is a business 1st.
Quote from: Blueforlife on August 13, 2025, 07:40:37 PMCal Murphy was like this, while I don't agree with it, football is a business 1st.
So was Wally Buono.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on August 13, 2025, 01:39:49 PMAs much as it sucks for Benson and the Bombers I like it from an organizational standpoint. To be successful in this game your front office needs to be ruthless in the pursuit of output versus SMS. I'm sure it was a very tough conversation but that's the way it needs to be and frankly, we probably should be making more of these.
It's a function that needs to be present in any successful business operation, it comes down to making the smart business decision over the emotional alternative. Walters admitted in the past he does not befriend the players anymore than necessary, he leaves that to MOS, his job is to be the cold blooded executioner. I think they've clashed over their differences on players before, O'Shea understands what needs to be done, but he doesn't like it.
I think the only mistake the Bombers made with Benson was resigning him. Leroux at 26 was ready to take over and should have won the job out of TC.
Why are the Bombers releasing Vets? We need all the experience we can get on the team. The BB isn't desperate for money are they? Perhaps we will know if we hear about player signings in the coming days. We certainly are desperate for receivers and DBs. Even our LB core isn't the greatest as they aren't putting enough pressure on the opposing QBs. The whole team needs to play better or we won't get very far this season.
Quote from: BLUEBOMBER on August 13, 2025, 11:10:05 PMWhy are the Bombers releasing Vets? We need all the experience we can get on the team. The BB isn't desperate for money are they? Perhaps we will know if we hear about player signings in the coming days. We certainly are desperate for receivers and DBs. Even our LB core isn't the greatest as they aren't putting enough pressure on the opposing QBs. The whole team needs to play better or we won't get very far this season.
He's a long snapper who has lost his spot.
No offence to the guy, but he's not bringing any experience that doesn't already exist in the room.
Quote from: Pigskin on August 13, 2025, 10:57:53 PMI think the only mistake the Bombers made with Benson was resigning him. Leroux at 26 was ready to take over and should have won the job out of TC.
a) Insurance
b) Leroux wasn't totally proven in live action yet
It's actually shrewd management. But sucks for Benson if he wanted to keep going, though like was already mentioned, good LSs don't stay on the couch long.
Quote from: BLUEBOMBER on August 13, 2025, 11:10:05 PMWhy are the Bombers releasing Vets? We need all the experience we can get on the team.
The neverending quest for a "younger team"?
Quote from: BLUEBOMBER on August 13, 2025, 11:10:05 PMThe BB isn't desperate for money are they?
I don't think we've even spent to the original cap this season. There's so much SMS and "cheating" space sloshing around it's not even funny. Parsimonious in a cup year, yay!
Quote from: BLUEBOMBER on August 13, 2025, 11:10:05 PMEven our LB core isn't the greatest as they aren't putting enough pressure on the opposing QBs.
Our LB corps is the absolute very least of our problems. It's basically our best unit. Kyrie grades amazingly. T.Jones making plays. SAM always decent. Our run D is amazing unless/until teams force it open due to pass explosions.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 13, 2025, 11:13:43 PMa) Insurance
b) Leroux wasn't totally proven in live action yet
It's actually shrewd management. But sucks for Benson if he wanted to keep going, though like was already mentioned, good LSs don't stay on the couch long.
It was mentioned last season that LS are easy to find. In that sense, there was little risk in not re-signing Benson and going with Leroux.
Keeping him was tied to the loyalty aspect, but roster spots and even PR spots are limited. Like all decisions age, SMS and succession are all factors.
I had suggested Benson could / should be a casualty before TC but I understood the emotional aspect of why they retained him. Win some lose some.
If he didn't get injured we would have seen Leroux on the PR for the season. Benson would have played well.
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 13, 2025, 11:13:43 PMa) Insurance
b) Leroux wasn't totally proven in live action yet
It's actually shrewd management. But sucks for Benson if he wanted to keep going, though like was already mentioned, good LSs don't stay on the couch long.
Not true. He's was one of the best LS in the CIS for a few years. He has also showed very well in TC the last two seasons.
Quote from: Pigskin on August 13, 2025, 11:50:57 PMNot true. He's was one of the best LS in the CIS for a few years. He was also a pretty good LB.
We all know "best in CIS" doesn't always (often?) translate into "good in the CFL". Sure, doesn't hurt... But no guarantee. (See: every 1RDP bust ever)
Quote from: TecnoGenius on August 13, 2025, 11:13:43 PMa) Insurance
b) Leroux wasn't totally proven in live action yet
It's actually shrewd management. But sucks for Benson if he wanted to keep going, though like was already mentioned, good LSs don't stay on the couch long.
Facts. You don't mess with your LS, ever. Until the next gen is 100% ready. Agree all.
Quote from: BLUEBOMBER on August 13, 2025, 11:10:05 PMWhy are the Bombers releasing Vets? We need all the experience we can get on the team. The BB isn't desperate for money are they? Perhaps we will know if we hear about player signings in the coming days. We certainly are desperate for receivers and DBs. Even our LB core isn't the greatest as they aren't putting enough pressure on the opposing QBs. The whole team needs to play better or we won't get very far this season.
Our LBs are good to great and incredible depth. Pillar of strength. Have you checked our depth chart.
Quote from: Blue In BC on August 13, 2025, 11:18:59 PMIt was mentioned last season that LS are easy to find. In that sense, there was little risk in not re-signing Benson and going with Leroux.
Keeping him was tied to the loyalty aspect, but roster spots and even PR spots are limited. Like all decisions age, SMS and succession are all factors.
I had suggested Benson could / should be a casualty before TC but I understood the emotional aspect of why they retained him. Win some lose some.
If he didn't get injured we would have seen Leroux on the PR for the season. Benson would have played well.
There was risk. Nice to have depth. Nice to have the ability to ensure the next gen is ready. LS are not as easy to find as you suggest imo.
Quote from: Pigskin on August 13, 2025, 11:50:57 PMNot true. He's was one of the best LS in the CIS for a few years. He has also showed very well in TC the last two seasons.
I'm with Techno, LS takes time to get down 100% and build timing with the team. It's a position that important to find consistency in.