Just speculating that we might be seeing more changing of the guard around the CFL this off season. Either by retirement or pushed off of rosters one way or another.
1. Masoli
2. MBT
3. Streveler ( due to injury )
4. BLM ( he said he was not sure about a return ). Negotiating?
5. Harris ( if he wins the Grey Cup ) Turning 40 before next TC
6. Collaros ( if we have a new HC, OC and changes in management )
I listed these in my ranking of probability but that's just pure speculation. It's tough to know when the cards are on the table and give up those big contracts.
If the Riders win, I think the chances Harris retires go up. Thoughts?
Quote from: RebusRankin on November 09, 2025, 01:46:38 PMIf the Riders win, I think the chances Harris retires go up. Thoughts?
I think the idea of retiring at the top ( Grey Cup win ) might be appealing for an older player. He's still capable of playing but family considerations come into play.
Age, injury history, performance and SMS hit's apply to all players. We see about 80 new players in the CFL every year. About the same change teams for better opportunity and higher SMS.
We already have Ottawa with a new HC and there will be a domino result in Toronto.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 09, 2025, 01:35:36 PM2. MBT
He might be playing this week. Depends on that troublesome hammy for Alexander. I am sure he will start but can he finish? Physically MBT seems the same as ever, I figure he'll be backing up somewhere next year.
Don't see Collaros retiring.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 09, 2025, 02:32:43 PMI think the idea of retiring at the top ( Grey Cup win ) might be appealing for an older player. He's still capable of playing but family considerations come into play.
Age, injury history, performance and SMS hit's apply to all players. We see about 80 new players in the CFL every year. About the same change teams for better opportunity and higher SMS.
We already have Ottawa with a new HC and there will be a domino result in Toronto.
I think Harris continues to play, he's a fitness fanatic and the Riders don't have anyone that will come close to beating him out for the #1 job. He can play as long as he likes.
Quote from: Ducky on November 09, 2025, 03:15:44 PMDon't see Collaros retiring.
I don't think he plans to retire. Just pointing out that some posters want him cut or traded which is probably not possible with his SMS.
OTOH, I'd like to see a drop in the SMS hit although I don't know what the extension for 2026 changed exactly. I expect there is probably an advance between free agency strikes. That could be time to make a decision if one is to be made.
We're still waiting to see if Walters and O'Shea return. I think they will but do players like Collaros or Oliveria balk at staying due to perceived problems with not fixing the OL or the OC? That's not to say we see a dramatic improvement in both but that's TBD.
Collaros is not a free agent but does he look at the issue of being pounded every game and say trade me? Like I said I don't see a trade based on his SMS so it's a rhetorical statement. If the team offers a substantial decrease he may decline and force an outright release?
Quote from: Ducky on November 09, 2025, 03:15:44 PMDon't see Collaros retiring.
Ya, Collaros is NOT retiring in 2026, bank on it. Neither is Harris or BLM. Strev is done due to injury and Masoli should retire.
The fact that I know this means I'm spending too much time on CFL 😂
Anyway
" Zach Collaros has one more year with the Bombers and says he wants to continue playing with Winnipeg's core, but if that doesn't happen, he says he also has options, but won't elaborate. Regardless, right now, he says his mind is focusing on playing next season @TSN_Sports
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) November 1, 2025"
CFL could be left with a pretty crappy QB quality next year. 1st and 2 and stringers.
Quote from: markf on November 09, 2025, 08:34:42 PMThe fact that I know this means I'm spending too much time on CFL 😂
Anyway
" Zach Collaros has one more year with the Bombers and says he wants to continue playing with Winnipeg's core, but if that doesn't happen, he says he also has options, but won't elaborate. Regardless, right now, he says his mind is focusing on playing next season @TSN_Sports
— Matthew Scianitti (@TSNScianitti) November 1, 2025"
He's got a long coaching career ahead of him if he wants to take it. He could walk on and be a Qb coach anywhere and work towards being an OC after that. I am hoping it's with us!!
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on November 09, 2025, 09:09:20 PMCFL could be left with a pretty crappy QB quality next year. 1st and 2 and stringers.
Ya, retirement? The CFL is already lacking enough good QBs to even fill the #1 positions, let alone #2's. Maybe the league can handle one #1 and one #2 retiring, but not 2 #1's or a bunch of #2's. If that happens we'll start having lots of games started by Brice and Wilson#3, and that won't be pretty.
On the plus side, SSK will likely be the first to lose their #1, as he's the oldest and made of glass. We might be next...
That said, it does seem clear that playing until 40 if you're a top-5 QB is pretty normal these days. The only thing that really sucks is you can't scramble or take hits like Alexander & Rourke. You need to make up for that with your brains, experience & patience.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 09, 2025, 06:49:20 PMWe're still waiting to see if Walters and O'Shea return. I think they will but do players like Collaros or Oliveria balk at staying due to perceived problems with not fixing the OL or the OC? That's not to say we see a dramatic improvement in both but that's TBD.
Collaros is not a free agent but does he look at the issue of being pounded every game and say trade me?
Then the solution is simple. Replace some of the weak links on OL. Just spend the FA required. Go over, who cares. I'd go over up to losing the #2 DP if required, and certainly paying the fines (who cares with our revenue).
Brady spelled it out in his season-ending interview: he stays if the core he mentioned stays -- specifically Stan & Neuf. So you keep Stan & Neuf and FA a real RT, a league-top C, and LG. Go 3 IMP. Move Wallace back to jumbo. Cut Ko & Rand/Vant, or keep the best as PR.
We wanted Ko to be the man, but it would seem he's just not good enough. It doesn't give me warm fuzzies, but I think we need to move on to win. By Brady not mentioning him, I think he agrees.
Big bump to the SMS % we put into OL. This cheaping out hasn't been working for 2-3 seasons.
Quote from: dd on November 09, 2025, 10:36:04 PMHe's got a long coaching career ahead of him if he wants to take it. He could walk on and be a Qb coach anywhere and work towards being an OC after that. I am hoping it's with us!!
At this point Zach is in it for the money, unlikely he gives up his $600k salary until they refuse to pay him anymore, from what I can decipher he has no plan B.
Lucky if CFL position coaches make $50k per year with little benefits, read on another site were a sought after former college OC was approached by numerous CFL teams as a O-line coach but didn't want to give up his high-school teaching job to do so because it paid much better and was less hassle.
Obviously Harris, BLM, and Collaros are back.
The others are irrelevant and we wont notice if they're here or not.
Quote from: Tecno on November 10, 2025, 12:54:09 AMThen the solution is simple. Replace some of the weak links on OL. Just spend the FA required. Go over, who cares. I'd go over up to losing the #2 DP if required, and certainly paying the fines (who cares with our revenue).
Brady spelled it out in his season-ending interview: he stays if the core he mentioned stays -- specifically Stan & Neuf. So you keep Stan & Neuf and FA a real RT, a league-top C, and LG. Go 3 IMP. Move Wallace back to jumbo. Cut Ko & Rand/Vant, or keep the best as PR.
We wanted Ko to be the man, but it would seem he's just not good enough. It doesn't give me warm fuzzies, but I think we need to move on to win. By Brady not mentioning him, I think he agrees.
Big bump to the SMS % we put into OL. This cheaping out hasn't been working for 2-3 seasons.
I don't know why you keep pushing the go over the cap by any amount. I'm glad the team has more integrity than that. How do you figure we've been cheaping out when we exceeded the 2024 SMS by $25K?
We'll see where the bump to the new SMS goes but every other team has that money too, The same players will just get more.
The thing with Collaros is that his history with concussions may push him / his family to consider his health. I wonder what his doctors are telling him. It's tough to give up that big salary but there are more important things.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 10, 2025, 01:02:54 PMI don't know why you keep pushing the go over the cap by any amount. I'm glad the team has more integrity than that. How do you figure we've been cheaping out when we exceeded the 2024 SMS by $25K?
We'll see where the bump to the new SMS goes but every other team has that money too, The same players will just get more.
Derek Taylor stat, this season the Bombers spent 5x as much on the 1 game IR as they did last season. An example of were bonus money went, Micah Vanterpool only dressed for 6 games but was paid for all 18, and he wasn't the only one.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 10, 2025, 05:09:12 PMDerek Taylor stat, this season the Bombers spent 5x as much on the 1 game IR as they did last season. An example of were bonus money went, Micah Vanterpool only dressed for 6 games but was paid for all 18, and he wasn't the only one.
Yeah I think we all knew that and most teams did the same thing. The increase didn't happen in time to try and use it during free agency but the other teams would have had the same issue.
The new issue is whether there is still any SMS left from 2025 and what we do for 2026.
It's almost a net zero impact. I don't know what Olivieria will ask for next season. Lets just say he asks for $300K and the team offers to pay that. Same player, same team but he's making about $70K more. Multiply that kind of increase for Demski, Bryant, Jefferson a couple more and the new SMS is spent.
I'm not suggesting any of those players get that increase. I'm just showing the roster is the same size and the players essentially the same.
In a similar way to using the money to pad the 1 game IR, we could just add 4 or 5 players directly to the AR. An expanded roster on the AR has more impact IMO. Padding the IR is fine but it doesn't help for in game injuries or help develop players getting playing time.
The pool of players teams look at isn't changing.
The catch is the ratio. Teams don't have 4 or 5 more Canadians to add to every roster except as just warm bodies.
I'd add 2 more DI's and 2 Canadians as my idea.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 10, 2025, 06:14:32 PMYeah I think we all knew that and most teams did the same thing. The increase didn't happen in time to try and use it during free agency but the other teams would have had the same issue.
The new issue is whether there is still any SMS left from 2025 and what we do for 2026.
It's almost a net zero impact. I don't know what Olivieria will ask for next season. Lets just say he asks for $300K and the team offers to pay that. Same player, same team but he's making about $70K more. Multiply that kind of increase for Demski, Bryant, Jefferson a couple more and the new SMS is spent.
I'm not suggesting any of those players get that increase. I'm just showing the roster is the same size and the players essentially the same.
In a similar way to using the money to pad the 1 game IR, we could just add 4 or 5 players directly to the AR. An expanded roster on the AR has more impact IMO. Padding the IR is fine but it doesn't help for in game injuries or help develop players getting playing time.
The pool of players teams look at isn't changing.
The catch is the ratio. Teams don't have 4 or 5 more Canadians to add to every roster except as just warm bodies.
I'd add 2 more DI's and 2 Canadians as my idea.
I could see ND10 getting a pay bump, but not that much. Bryant and Willy, the same or less.
Quote from: Pigskin on November 10, 2025, 06:36:10 PMI could see ND10 getting a pay bump, but that much. Bryant and Willy, the same or less.
Nah don't think so, Nic has done`well at $225k which is the ceiling for elite receivers on most teams, if anything he's plateaued and should be happy with $200k at his advanced age.
Most of these names will be back imo. The higher paid ones will want another year or two if they can. A lot of cake for these vets. I think the leagues QB pipeline is decent.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 10, 2025, 01:02:54 PMI don't know why you keep pushing the go over the cap by any amount. I'm glad the team has more integrity than that. How do you figure we've been cheaping out when we exceeded the 2024 SMS by $25K?
I said we've been cheaping out
on the OL. And we have.
If we have to go over cap (up to $100k over is "free" for us) to fix our OL problem, then that's what we should do. Do you want another season of crap OL play ruining all of our hopes & dreams? And star players like Brady getting antsy and leaving if the OL problem isn't solved?
There's no solution from a dev-pipeline pespective as no one in our pipeline is the next Desjar. And our chance of drafting a 1st-week-starting Desjar-like guy is basically zero.
Thus the need to overspend in FA on OL.
Quote from: Tecno on November 10, 2025, 09:02:37 PMI said we've been cheaping out on the OL. And we have.
If we have to go over cap (up to $100k over is "free" for us) to fix our OL problem, then that's what we should do. Do you want another season of crap OL play ruining all of our hopes & dreams? And star players like Brady getting antsy and leaving if the OL problem isn't solved?
There's no solution from a dev-pipeline pespective as no one in our pipeline is the next Desjar. And our chance of drafting a 1st-week-starting Desjar-like guy is basically zero.
Thus the need to overspend in FA on OL.
In general, I think you're nuts. There are seldom top Canadian OL that reach free agency and the concept of over paying ANYONE is ridiculous as a starting point.
We over paid to keep Jefferson and to add Vaughters. We over paid to add Mitchell and J. Jones. Collaros is over paid.
The other teams are more often ones notorious for over paying. Let them. How did over paying Ford in Edmonton work out for them?
We need to spend more wisely and not fall into the trap of over paying. Over paying is not the solution.
We spent the SMS. We have a fairly veteran OL. Bryant, Neufeld and Kolo are well paid.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 10, 2025, 09:14:43 PMIn general, I think you're nuts. There are seldom top Canadian OL that reach free agency and the concept of over paying ANYONE is ridiculous as a starting point.
We over paid to keep Jefferson and to add Vaughters. We over paid to add Mitchell and J. Jones. Collaros is over paid.
The other teams are more often ones notorious for over paying. Let them. How did over paying Ford in Edmonton work out for them?
We need to spend more wisely and not fall into the trap of over paying. Over paying is not the solution.
We spent the SMS. We have a fairly veteran OL. Bryant, Neufeld and Kolo are well paid.
we may not have a choice, as you indicated quality cdn linemen aren't plentiful. If you want to upgrade your oline (which we very much need to do) your gonna have to shell out. Im not sure its an overpay if thats what the market is for those players. For example did Hamilton overpay for Dobson, the bombers obviously thought so as they werent in the same ballpark
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 10, 2025, 09:14:43 PMIn general, I think you're nuts. There are seldom top Canadian OL that reach free agency and the concept of over paying ANYONE is ridiculous as a starting point.
We over paid to keep Jefferson and to add Vaughters. We over paid to add Mitchell and J. Jones. Collaros is over paid.
The other teams are more often ones notorious for over paying. Let them. How did over paying Ford in Edmonton work out for them?
We need to spend more wisely and not fall into the trap of over paying. Over paying is not the solution.
We spent the SMS. We have a fairly veteran OL. Bryant, Neufeld and Kolo are well paid.
This is pretty much what Walters confirms every year during his final press conference, he takes the accounting part of his job seriously and spends to the limit of his budget each season. He doesn't see the logic in making one year more special than any other, to him their objective is always the same, put the best team they can on the field within the budget allowed.
Quote from: Pete on November 10, 2025, 09:44:56 PMwe may not have a choice, as you indicated quality cdn linemen aren't plentiful. If you want to upgrade your oline (which we very much need to do) your gonna have to shell out.
Exactly right. The old method of deving solid or top NAT DPs is over because we haven't been drafting the right ones, or they simply don't exist anymore -- not by the time our 1RDP rolls around.
We used to get them cheap and then start them in year 1 or 2. Goosen, Couture, Chungh, Desjar, Dobson, Gray -- all are top-5 at their position for at least 1 season here, and on ELC. Sometimes we got a year 3 out of them with a reasonable bump. More often they walked for huge $.
The days of doing that are over. Wallace won't be a top-5 anything. Vibert is probably worse. Ko-man is lower-tier starting C. It's not working anymore.
So we must change course. I would suggest going 3 IMP OL because it's cheaper than wooing a top-5 NAT OG. And replace Ko-man, and get some top-3 IMP RT in FA. So that means we must splurge for a top NAT C and IMP RT.
Drafting some OL in the 3rd round and hoping and praying isn't going to do anything. Sticking with the status quo on LG, C, RT is going to cost us Zach (due to injury) and Brady (due to him not having faith). Brady says he wants Stan & Neuf, so give him Stan & Neuf and get 3 new top studs for the rest.
Look at the teams going deep in the playoffs, and the ones in the GC. Those clearly are the best OL in the league. That's really the #1 thing you need to win. WFC once knew this...
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 10, 2025, 09:14:43 PMWe spent the SMS. We have a fairly veteran OL. Bryant, Neufeld and Kolo are well paid.
But having 2 high-end and top-$ guys like Stan & Neuf aren't enough when the other 3 are pylons in pass-pro and can't run block. You need a no-weak-links line, like we used to have. Maybe 1 guy can be league-top-20 instead of league-top-10, but that's about it. Again, look at the GC teams this season.
Zach was very close to getting the Mike Reilly-in-BC treatment this season behind our OL. What could Zach & Brady have done if they had the solid beef SSK provided Trevor & Liver King?
Maybe SSK did it right: spend way more on OL and way less on REC (they have no "superstar" at all). All the best Kennys in the world can't help you if your QB has no time.
Games are won and lost in the trenches. Walters has been living in Winnipeg too long, and has bought into the "never pay retail, always try to buy at the wholesale price" approach that pervades in the city. Not a criticism of Winnipegers, I'm the same way. But I look around for the lowest price on groceries for the week in order to be able to treat myself to a good meal on the weekend. Walters needs to do the same. Stop overpaying for the grunge special teamers and mid level nothings like Mitchell,J Jones and Logan, in order to be able to feast on some all-star O-line and D-lineman. If Brady wants 300,000, let him walk. I think the O-line is more important to the rushing game (not to mention the passing game) than the RB, and he's expendable.
My fear is that we will run it back and have a concussed Zach and a one legged Streveler scrambling for their lives behind a porous O-line that's one year older. Meanwhile on D, we will continue to have an aging Jake and Willy penetrate 6 inches into the pocket until Vaughters finally decides to give up.
Of course you can't build a contender only in free agency, we need to improve our scouting big time. But its still a piece of the puzzle.
Quote from: bunker on November 10, 2025, 11:11:36 PMGames are won and lost in the trenches. Walters has been living in Winnipeg too long, and has bought into the "never pay retail, always try to buy at the wholesale price" approach that pervades in the city. Not a criticism of Winnipegers, I'm the same way. But I look around for the lowest price on groceries for the week in order to be able to treat myself to a good meal on the weekend. Walters needs to do the same. Stop overpaying for the grunge special teamers and mid level nothings like Mitchell,J Jones and Logan, in order to be able to feast on some all-star O-line and D-lineman. If Brady wants 300,000, let him walk. I think the O-line is more important to the rushing game (not to mention the passing game) than the RB, and he's expendable.
My fear is that we will run it back and have a concussed Zach and a one legged Streveler scrambling for their lives behind a porous O-line that's one year older. Meanwhile on D, we will continue to have an aging Jake and Willy penetrate 6 inches into the pocket until Vaughters finally decides to give up.
Ya, Brady's got to watch his step on his contract demands. Peterson could replace him in a heartbeat, and overpaying, like you say, guarantees nothing. If he gets too pricey, move on.
Paying Brady 200-240K isn't the issue. It's paying Collaros 600K. He's worth maybe 450K. There is the saving right there. You can probably give the difference to Dru Brown and retain both...
Drew Brown was making 355-400,000 this year depending on incentives. He's under contract for next year, and is constantly injured. So we can't afford to pay our 2 QBs 850,000 (assuming Zach would take a 150,000 pay cut, which I doubt), Brown isn't available (yet), and I'm not sure I want to tie our future to an injury prone QB who cannot stay healthy, and was fairly mediocre this year. I think our best best, since there is no QB available currently who is hands down better than Zach, is to go with him next year, but with a much better O-line. He looked much better when he got time to make plays. If Ottawa cuts Brown, then it might be worth having a look at him at a reduced salary. Taylor Powell is another option. Who's the better QB out of the 3 right now? I'm not even sure.
Quote from: peg_city on November 10, 2025, 11:28:58 PMPaying Brady 200-240K isn't the issue. It's paying Collaros 600K. He's worth maybe 450K. There is the saving right there. You can probably give the difference to Dru Brown and retain both...
Brady isn't taking a pay cut, he made 240k last year and likely looking at 250-270k this year
Collaros contract was just negotiated this year so can't see him taking 450k. Only way we take on Brown is by moving Zac (note Zac's contract for 2025 had 100k bonus on Jan 15, plus 250k guaranteed, if the 2026 one is similar then we are really stuck)
As for not paying brown 400k as hes injury prone, we paid Zac 600k with his medical record
Quote from: Pete on November 11, 2025, 12:11:16 AMBrady isn't taking a pay cut, he made 240k last year and likely looking at 250-270k this year
Collaros contract was just negotiated this year so can't see him taking 450k. Only way we take on Brown is by moving Zac (note Zac's contract for 2025 had 100k bonus on Jan 15, plus 250k guaranteed, if the 2026 one is similar then we are really stuck)
As for not paying brown 400k as hes injury prone, we paid Zac 600k with his medical record
Zach tricked Walters by re-negotiating before TC opened, than proceeded to under perform in the majority of his appearances this season with the added bonus that one solid hit often knocked him right out of the game. I'd make him a take or leave offer for $400k and see if he doesn't blink.
Quote from: bunker on November 10, 2025, 11:13:30 PMOf course you can't build a contender only in free agency, we need to improve our scouting big time. But its still a piece of the puzzle.
For sure. But scouting is always a gamble/crapshoot. And we're not bad at it (even now). We'll average 1 star-level find a season. That's pretty good.
If a team is finding 2-3 star ELCs then they probably just had a really lucky year (MTL in 2023 for instance).
What really sucks is we seem completely incapable of scouting star
OL talent. Our IMP ELC track record is crap. All of our good ones were stolen from other teams, and our scouted/dev IMPs yielded nothing useful.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 11, 2025, 12:41:22 AMZach tricked Walters by re-negotiating before TC opened, than proceeded to under perform in the majority of his appearances this season with the added bonus that one solid hit often knocked him right out of the game. I'd make him a take or leave offer for $400k and see if he doesn't blink.
yeah but if he has the 250k guarantee do you walk away from that? It all depends on what Zac negotiated.
Quote from: bunker on November 10, 2025, 11:11:36 PMIf Brady wants 300,000, let him walk. I think the O-line is more important to the rushing game (not to mention the passing game) than the RB, and he's expendable.
This would appear to be true, most years. Look at the 2 GC teams this year: both have league-top OLs and mediocre RBs. MTL's RBs are nobodies who won't even be in the league in 4 seasons. Oullette isn't great, he only does well because he has always had a league-top OL making the holes.
HAM & BC had beter RBs but worse OLs, and as such could barely run the ball in the DF's.
All of our success came when we had a great RB
plus a great OL. I think if you have to downgrade one, it would probably be RB. Ideally you have both and no one gets super greedy.
Quote from: bunker on November 10, 2025, 11:39:01 PMDrew Brown was making 355-400,000 this year depending on incentives. He's under contract for next year, and is constantly injured. So we can't afford to pay our 2 QBs 850,000 (assuming Zach would take a 150,000 pay cut, which I doubt), Brown isn't available (yet), and I'm not sure I want to tie our future to an injury prone QB who cannot stay healthy, and was fairly mediocre this year. I think our best best, since there is no QB available currently who is hands down better than Zach, is to go with him next year, but with a much better O-line. He looked much better when he got time to make plays. If Ottawa cuts Brown, then it might be worth having a look at him at a reduced salary. Taylor Powell is another option. Who's the better QB out of the 3 right now? I'm not even sure.
Dru Brown is not good. I'll pass. You all think ZC, who got us to multiple Grey Cups and won two, is bad ..imagine how you all would think of Dru Brown behind our Oline lol.
ZC is also a natural leader. I don't see that in Brown.
Quote from: tlf on November 11, 2025, 02:28:06 AMDru Brown is not good. I'll pass. You all think ZC, who got us to multiple Grey Cups and won two, is bad ..imagine how you all would think of Dru Brown behind our Oline lol.
ZC is also a natural leader. I don't see that in Brown.
Agree. Pass on Brown, but I'd take Crum here as our #2 and see how things go in a year. He was better than Brown this year in my books, rarely turns the ball over, moved the ball for them, can run if flushed and would offer that aspect of the game we haven't seen here in decades.
Keep in mind Brady talked a lot in the last presser about him wanting the core group of guys around, and the only names he named are: Zach, Stan, Neuf.
If you want to keep Brady, you need to assure him those 3 are staying. Not saying we should bow to his "blackmail", but it's something to keep in mind.
My money is on all 3 staying anyhow. And I bet when one of them goes, they all go -- so when Stan retires, so will Neuf and vice versa. Probably Zach too.
Quote from: Tecno on November 11, 2025, 05:41:23 AMKeep in mind Brady talked a lot in the last presser about him wanting the core group of guys around, and the only names he named are: Zach, Stan, Neuf.
If you want to keep Brady, you need to assure him those 3 are staying. Not saying we should bow to his "blackmail", but it's something to keep in mind.
My money is on all 3 staying anyhow. And I bet when one of them goes, they all go -- so when Stan retires, so will Neuf and vice versa. Probably Zach too.
Zach and Stan are leaving together. They've said as much a few times.
Quote from: Pete on November 10, 2025, 09:44:56 PMwe may not have a choice, as you indicated quality cdn linemen aren't plentiful. If you want to upgrade your oline (which we very much need to do) your gonna have to shell out. Im not sure its an overpay if thats what the market is for those players. For example did Hamilton overpay for Dobson, the bombers obviously thought so as they werent in the same ballpark
Yes we have issues with our OL. I don't know whether Lofton was expected to start at RT before he got injured. He may not be back and already lost ground to Randolph. Wallace was a 1st year starter and there were going to be bumps in the road.
I don't think the issues we had at receiver helped. Injuries, not having Wilson in the early going. Receivers ability to block as a group is in question.
It's not all on the OL.
We let Dobson walk. The Redblack OL was not very good either and they had Desjarlias. Brown was hit more often than Collaros. Collaros is in decline, missed some games and didn't finish some others. Oliveria missed some games.
I'm all for improving our OL but it's not at any cost kind of issue IMO.
Every team out of the play offs has listed 25-35 potential free agents. We'll see who is available by the time free agency starts. We have 5 OL listed as potential free agents. Not everyone will choose to stay. Not every one will be automatically wanted back.
Back to QB's. Does anyone know more of the details of the extension Collaros signed? Did he get a raise or did he get more early money to reduce his tax load? What is the guaranteed money and what is it based on?
The Bombers are in a tough position. They don't have an alternative, he's not an asset in trade due to the contract. It may be a large SMS hit if they even wanted to cut him for no return.
I'm not suggesting they trade or cut him but do think they need to work out a better deal for the team. That may not be better for Collaros but it's the nature of the sport.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 11, 2025, 03:28:17 PMBack to QB's. Does anyone know more of the details of the extension Collaros signed? Did he get a raise or did he get more early money to reduce his tax load? What is the guaranteed money and what is it based on?
The Bombers are in a tough position. They don't have an alternative, he's not an asset in trade due to the contract. It may be a large SMS hit if they even wanted to cut him for no return.
I'm not suggesting they trade or cut him but do think they need to work out a better deal for the team. That may not be better for Collaros but it's the nature of the sport.
I agree in principle but this is Collaros s last season, I doubt he takes a pay cut as the deal has already been done, and what are our options if we don't bring him back, terry wilson ??
Walters messed up by extending Zach early. Zach wasn't really good in 24 either. Reality is he's 16-14 with 34 td passes and 31 ints over the past two seasons. That's not worth 600k.
Quote from: RebusRankin on November 11, 2025, 07:40:20 PMWalters messed up by extending Zach early. Zach wasn't really good in 24 either. Reality is he's 16-14 with 34 td passes and 31 ints over the past two seasons. That's not worth 600k.
Agree. For a team that doesn't like to overpay their players ie Ford, Dobson, Lawler, we are really overpaying Collaros, so much so, that the $150k spent on him could have been used pay the all stars we let go last year penny pinching
Quote from: RebusRankin on November 11, 2025, 07:40:20 PMWalters messed up by extending Zach early. Zach wasn't really good in 24 either. Reality is he's 16-14 with 34 td passes and 31 ints over the past two seasons. That's not worth 600k.
Or he saved himself from a tough negotiation by re-upping him before the salary cap went up.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 11, 2025, 01:34:21 PMI'm all for improving our OL but it's not at any cost kind of issue IMO.
But it's clear that, as long as you have a good QB and RB, the OL is literally everything. Look at SSK. No matter what people say, that's a crap REC corps. Only looks good because Trevor is there and they have a top OL and they do all-short.
Our best years were with the best OL. You need 4 top-15 guys, and maybe one higher-mid tier straggler for budget reasons. Hopefully one or two are ELC DP or scout finds, but if not you need to pony up in FA.
I would take SSK's approach and skimp big time on REC and put all that money into OL. Maybe have 1 REC over $200k, like Demski.
All of the teams with crazy expensive RECs did bupkis this season when it comes to getting to the cup. Gino, Kenny, Schoen, White, McInnis, Begelton, Daniels, Coxie, Henry. I'm excluding most NATs as their pay isn't "real" for their talent level, except maybe Demski & McInnis.
Top teams seem to be getting much better DLs and it needs to be combatted with top OL if you want to excel. Just look at SSK & MTL. Next season we need to hold off that SSK & CGY DL so Zach has time to play his everywhere-on-the-field game.
That plus a better OC, and at least one more thicker receiver that can block.
Quote from: Tecno on November 11, 2025, 11:31:56 PMBut it's clear that, as long as you have a good QB and RB, the OL is literally everything. Look at SSK. No matter what people say, that's a crap REC corps. Only looks good because Trevor is there and they have a top OL and they do all-short.
Our best years were with the best OL. You need 4 top-15 guys, and maybe one higher-mid tier straggler for budget reasons. Hopefully one or two are ELC DP or scout finds, but if not you need to pony up in FA.
I would take SSK's approach and skimp big time on REC and put all that money into OL. Maybe have 1 REC over $200k, like Demski.
All of the teams with crazy expensive RECs did bupkis this season when it comes to getting to the cup. Gino, Kenny, Schoen, White, McInnis, Begelton, Daniels, Coxie, Henry. I'm excluding most NATs as their pay isn't "real" for their talent level, except maybe Demski & McInnis.
Top teams seem to be getting much better DLs and it needs to be combatted with top OL if you want to excel. Just look at SSK & MTL. Next season we need to hold off that SSK & CGY DL so Zach has time to play his everywhere-on-the-field game.
Hard to agree with much you're saying, sounds like you want to replace the entire O-line but I'd bet my life they intend to return Randolph, Vanterpool, Wallace, Neufeld and Stanley if he wants to continue playing. Lofton may be the odd man out, but not sure that is even the case as his play has been adequate since he returned from Sask.
As for the Rider receivers they've done a great job of building a solid unit in the last few years especially their Natl. talent, playing 3 has allows them to start 4 Imports on their O-line which is almost unheard of. Sterns couldn't make their roster last year and the guy who bumped him Shawn Bane is now a backup and unlikely to play in the GC, same goes for Natl. rec. Ajou Ajou. KeeSean Johnson is the CFL's 4th ranked receiver in yds. gained and Dohnte Meyers is 7th, lucky they no longer have #2 Justin McInnis who they drafted and lost to BC in FA.
Other receivers.
EMILUS
SCHAFFER-BAKER
Robustelli
NIELD
Duncan-Busby
PICTON
Can't re-sign them all. The shoe is finally on the other foot, if I was Walters I wouldn't roll the dice drafting any Natl. receivers next year, I'd pickup a proven receiver or 2 in FA stuck behind starters, at most they need 2.
Quote from: bunker on November 12, 2025, 12:02:27 AMThat plus a better OC, and at least one more thicker receiver that can block.
I dunno, the OC looked pretty darn good in the 3rd Q in the ESF. He had a decent plan to beat MTL. I was actually quite surprised. If only our D could have held Alexander a little bit more...
Rourke is scheduled to earn $684K in 2026!!!!!!!!!!!! He'll only consider an NFL opportunity if it comes with some guarantees. I take that to be advance money as a starting point.
I wonder if he does draw more interest. Same question for Alexander?
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 12, 2025, 02:36:55 PMRourke is scheduled to earn $684K in 2026!!!!!!!!!!!! He'll only consider an NFL opportunity if it comes with some guarantees. I take that to be advance money as a starting point.
I wonder if he does draw more interest. Same question for Alexander?
$684k is crazy money for a CFL team to pay anyone, especially for a guy who hasn't won anything, forget the Grey Cup, he hasn't even won a playoff game!!
Quote from: dd on November 12, 2025, 05:45:22 PM$684k is crazy money for a CFL team to pay anyone, especially for a guy who hasn't won anything, forget the Grey Cup, he hasn't even won a playoff game!!
That's what I've been saying about the increase in the SMS. Paying a few players more money doesn't change anything. Even before we heard about a higher SMS I had suggested adding 4 players would benefit teams. Not only in game but in actual development time on the AR instead of the PR.
4 players on ELC @ $74K would use up most of the extra cash. My suggestion was to add 2 more DI's and 2 more Canadians. The ratio could be retained with no loss of Canadians on the roster. In fact 2 more players move from PR to AR.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 12, 2025, 12:33:54 AMHard to agree with much you're saying, sounds like you want to replace the entire O-line but I'd bet my life they intend to return Randolph, Vanterpool, Wallace, Neufeld and Stanley if he wants to continue playing. Lofton may be the odd man out, but not sure that is even the case as his play has been adequate since he returned from Sask.
As for the Rider receivers they've done a great job of building a solid unit in the last few years especially their Natl. talent, playing 3 has allows them to start 4 Imports on their O-line which is almost unheard of. Sterns couldn't make their roster last year and the guy who bumped him Shawn Bane is now a backup and unlikely to play in the GC, same goes for Natl. rec. Ajou Ajou. KeeSean Johnson is the CFL's 4th ranked receiver in yds. gained and Dohnte Meyers is 7th, lucky they no longer have #2 Justin McInnis who they drafted and lost to BC in FA.
Other receivers.
EMILUS
SCHAFFER-BAKER
Robustelli
NIELD
Duncan-Busby
PICTON
Can't re-sign them all. The shoe is finally on the other foot, if I was Walters I wouldn't roll the dice drafting any Natl. receivers next year, I'd pickup a proven Natl. receiver or 2 from other teams stuck behind starters, at most they need 2.
I really like how Robustelli plays and would like to see the Bombers go after him.
Quote from: dd on November 12, 2025, 05:45:22 PM$684k is crazy money for a CFL team to pay anyone, especially for a guy who hasn't won anything, forget the Grey Cup, he hasn't even won a playoff game!!
Can you not see with your own eyes Rourke is an excellent investment in the future? A much wiser investment than paying Collaros $600k at the tail end of his career.
Quote from: VictorRomano on November 12, 2025, 06:24:42 PMI really like how Robustelli plays and would like to see the Bombers go after him.
Especially if Schoen can't come back, I'd be surprised if the Riders don't find a way to hang onto him.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 12, 2025, 06:30:52 PMCan you not see with your own eyes Rourke is an excellent investment in the future? A much wiser investment than paying Collaros $600k at the tail end of his career.
It doesn't change the fact that it's a lot of money and it takes an entire team to win anything. SMS aside there is always the risk of serious injury to any player. IE: Kelly in Toronto for example.
I'd also point out I had the same argument when the Lions gave Reilly about $700K a few years back. It gutted the rest of the roster.
That may or may not happen this time with the increase to the SMS but it's obvious less for Rourke means more spread across the roster.
Collaros getting his $600K+ also had a negative impact across the roster.
Earlier I mentioned that the top 4 paid QB's didn't make it to the Grey Cup.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 12, 2025, 08:19:02 PMIt doesn't change the fact that it's a lot of money and it takes an entire team to win anything. SMS aside there is always the risk of serious injury to any player. IE: Kelly in Toronto for example.
I'd also point out I had the same argument when the Lions gave Reilly about $700K a few years back. It gutted the rest of the roster.
Reilly re-joined the Lions in 2019, a year of turmoil for them as it was the first season after Wally retired and was replaced by Hervey as GM and Claybrooks as HC who only lasted one year. A lot of things could go wrong and did for the Lions that season and the next few years, bad timing on Reilly's part, he was beaten down like a dog.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 12, 2025, 12:33:54 AMAs for the Rider receivers they've done a great job of building a solid unit in the last few years especially their Natl. talent, playing 3 has allows them to start 4 Imports on their O-line which is almost unheard of.
I still say the SSK RECs look better than they are because of that stout OL, legit run game, OC plan, and pin-point all-short QB Trevor.
The only potential great RECs are Johnson and Emilus (for a NAT). Emilus could reach Demski levels, maybe. But none of those guys are reaching Kenny levels. Robustelli is just another dime a dozen Eberhardt-type guys. KSB is another Woli. Busby isn't even Clercius.
Yes, they are all competent and solid, but none are going to be league top-5 in talent (I don't care what their yards stats say). None will ever command Kenny/Gino money.
And that's my whole point: imitate SSK and get solid moneyball type RECs and put all the savings into the OL. Our highest paid should be Demski, and that's ONLY because he's a hometown hero and BFL.
Quote from: Tecno on November 12, 2025, 11:13:49 PMI still say the SSK RECs look better than they are because of that stout OL, legit run game, OC plan, and pin-point all-short QB Trevor.
The only potential great RECs are Johnson and Emilus (for a NAT). Emilus could reach Demski levels, maybe. But none of those guys are reaching Kenny levels. Robustelli is just another dime a dozen Eberhardt-type guys. KSB is another Woli. Busby isn't even Clercius.
Yes, they are all competent and solid, but none are going to be league top-5 in talent (I don't care what their yards stats say). None will ever command Kenny/Gino money.
And that's my whole point: imitate SSK and get solid moneyball type RECs and put all the savings into the OL. Our highest paid should be Demski, and that's ONLY because he's a hometown hero and BFL.
Schafer Baker can be very good as well if he could stay healthy
Quote from: Jesse on November 11, 2025, 09:58:01 PMOr he saved himself from a tough negotiation by re-upping him before the salary cap went up.
He's not worth the $ when Harris, BLM and VAJ all make between 375,000-450,000 and were better than he was.
Quote from: Tecno on November 12, 2025, 11:13:49 PMI still say the SSK RECs look better than they are because of that stout OL, legit run game, OC plan, and pin-point all-short QB Trevor.
The only potential great RECs are Johnson and Emilus (for a NAT). Emilus could reach Demski levels, maybe. But none of those guys are reaching Kenny levels. Robustelli is just another dime a dozen Eberhardt-type guys. KSB is another Woli. Busby isn't even Clercius.
Yes, they are all competent and solid, but none are going to be league top-5 in talent (I don't care what their yards stats say). None will ever command Kenny/Gino money.
And that's my whole point: imitate SSK and get solid moneyball type RECs and put all the savings into the OL. Our highest paid should be Demski, and that's ONLY because he's a hometown hero and BFL.
Meyers made several big plays this year as well. I m sure he ll be looking for a pay raise and Emilius will for sure due to his NAT stature, but where does that leave KSB?? I m thinking we ll pickup where we left off, taking whatever sask doesn't chose to re sign.
Quote from: RebusRankin on November 13, 2025, 12:25:44 AMHe's not worth the $ when Harris, BLM and VAJ all make between 375,000-450,000 and were better than he was.
Those particular guys were values in this particular year. I think all three were on significantly higher contracts previously on other teams but got shafted and had to renegotiate.
If all sign new contracts in 2025 under the new salary cap, I don't tbh in they sign at those numbers anymore.
Quote from: Jesse on November 13, 2025, 12:43:05 AMThose particular guys were values in this particular year. I think all three were on significantly higher contracts previously on other teams but got shafted and had to renegotiate.
If all sign new contracts in 2025 under the new salary cap, I don't tbh in they sign at those numbers anymore.
They had to renegotiate because they had some bad and/or injury plagued years just prior.
Look at Collaros this year and last year and draw up a contract based on that. He's exactly where those guys were when they signed smaller deals.
Quote from: dd on November 13, 2025, 12:32:52 AMI m thinking we ll pickup where we left off, taking whatever sask doesn't chose to re sign.
Sometimes feels that way. We love sniping guys from SSK and EDM under Mafia rule, don't we?
I think it was Zach in his season-ender presser that said something that really resonates: we didn't find our identity as a team this year. I can't recall if he meant O or both O & D. But he's right about the O. They never figured out who they were or what they were good at. Kind of meh at everything.
In contrast, everyone knows SSK's identity (dink & dunk & run all the way). Everyone knows MTL's (screens galore, Alexander escaping, and long bombs). Everyone knew our identity when AH33 was here (run first, run mostly, run always). Everyone knew it when Lapo was here (also dink & dunk, plus crazy complicated looks).
We never found our identity in 2025, and thus couldn't focus & specialize and use that to hammer opponents. I hope this is solved in '26. Not sure what the solution is, though.
Quote from: Tecno on November 12, 2025, 12:35:08 AMI dunno, the OC looked pretty darn good in the 3rd Q in the ESF. He had a decent plan to beat MTL. I was actually quite surprised. If only our D could have held Alexander a little bit more...
One quarter of decent play calling vs a mostly sad year is not giving me hope!
Quote from: dd on November 12, 2025, 05:45:22 PM$684k is crazy money for a CFL team to pay anyone, especially for a guy who hasn't won anything, forget the Grey Cup, he hasn't even won a playoff game!!
He's won two semifinals to be fair.
None of those guys will retire.
They are all productive in their job. Masoli would be the most likely to retire, but why not hang around and. Collect $100,000 to watch games. Or a few QB sneaks. Heck bring him in here. All the other guys will retain their roles. Ottawa is a toss up. Crum did look better than our former injury plagued guy. A good back up for Collaros could be that former starter in Edmonton. He needs to learn how to read a defence, but if not he can just run.
Why would you retire on top? Plus have a good core group? Collaros was fine, except as soon as he looked up he had three defensive line in his face. Give him protection and he will be fine.
Plus add an offensive coordinator, not a non experienced water boy grad. Sorry. You need some experience, as a play caller, not an experiment. You saw what we got. Oh, and I won't buy another pinnacle lounge seat either, with what we had as coaches, and a crap tackling group of flimsey DBs. And yes I did quit attending after four home games.
Quote from: DM83 on November 25, 2025, 05:12:42 PMWhy would you retire on top? Plus have a good core group? Collaros was fine, except as soon as he looked up he had three defensive line in his face. Give him protection and he will be fine.
Plus add an offensive coordinator, not a non experienced water boy grad. Sorry. You need some experience, as a play caller, not an experiment. You saw what we got. Oh, and I won't buy another pinnacle lounge seat either, with what we had as coaches, and a crap tackling group of flimsey DBs. And yes I did quit attending after four home games.
Repeating is very difficult. Retiring at the top is better than retiring at the bottom. Age and family considerations after a long career. With age comes greater risk for injury. Past injuries related to concussions etc.
Rider fans are already chanting "back to back", my anticipation for next season is heavily focused on their demise.
Strev should retire...but then again, he can do QB sneaks forever. He comes cheap because. Of his NFL pension. This time let his knee heal for a year, not five months.
Bombers just signed a superstar QB. Now can he read a defence. Not that he has to, sounds like he can just run away. Did his 40 time get posted....anywhere.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 25, 2025, 06:25:50 PMRider fans are already chanting "back to back", my anticipation for next season is heavily focused on their demise.
They are going to get their first taste of FA big$$ defections in a looong time. I think half their REC corps will walk. Might be hard to keep Sayles and Milligan on the same team. The DL guys will want raises. Thor will want more.
And they'll still have the same problem that they don't have a real backup QB that will win squat. Trevor will be over 40 next season. He's not going to last the season -- they got super lucky once, won't happen again.
Quote from: Tecno on November 26, 2025, 07:46:45 AMThey are going to get their first taste of FA big$$ defections in a looong time. I think half their REC corps will walk. Might be hard to keep Sayles and Milligan on the same team. The DL guys will want raises. Thor will want more.
And they'll still have the same problem that they don't have a real backup QB that will win squat. Trevor will be over 40 next season. He's not going to last the season -- they got super lucky once, won't happen again.
Sigh.....Harris/Mayer/Stevens is one of the deepest QB rosters in the league, but don't let facts get in the way of a narrative. And the #1 team winning the GC isn't "super lucky". Finishing first in the division because of a gust of wind in Montreal is "super lucky", except that team couldn't get the job done.
Quote from: BlueInCgy on November 26, 2025, 11:51:45 AMSigh.....Harris/Mayer/Stevens is one of the deepest QB rosters in the league, but don't let facts get in the way of a narrative. And the #1 team winning the GC isn't "super lucky". Finishing first in the division because of a gust of wind in Montreal is "super lucky", except that team couldn't get the job done.
This is a pretty unhinged take. There's a considerable drop-off after Harris which you weirdly ignore.
Maier has the tools to be a QB1 but he's yet to cement himself in that role even with the number of opportunities he's had to do so. He also had a pretty forgettable 2025 season when he did play despite being on a pretty stacked team offensively. I doubt the Riders would be comfortable with him starting in 2026 should Harris retire.
Stevens is a depth piece/jumbo package pivot at best. Those aren't hard to find.
Maybe read
@Tecno's post again.
Quote from: Tecno on November 26, 2025, 07:46:45 AMTrevor will be over 40 next season. He's not going to last the season -- they got super lucky once, won't happen again.
They know this, call plays that protect him and pay the oline. That's about as smart as is possible. I wish we did the same.
It is somewhat luck to have any QB play the whole season though. You never know when an injury could happen. Zach twice had ill timed injuries, once in the cup and once in the west final. Alexander was this year. Kelly broke his leg two years ago.
Quote from: BlueInCgy on November 26, 2025, 11:51:45 AMSigh.....Harris/Mayer/Stevens is one of the deepest QB rosters in the league, but don't let facts get in the way of a narrative. And the #1 team winning the GC isn't "super lucky". Finishing first in the division because of a gust of wind in Montreal is "super lucky", except that team couldn't get the job done.
I don't think Techno ever said they were super lucky to win the Grey Cup, he was talking specifically about Trevor Harris, at 40 years old, staying mostly healthy for the year. Especially after missing significant time in recent seasons.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 26, 2025, 01:44:25 PMThis is a pretty unhinged take. There's a considerable drop-off after Harris which you weirdly ignore.
Maier has the tools to be a QB1 but he's yet to cement himself in that role even with the number of opportunities he's had to do so. He also had a pretty forgettable 2025 season when he did play despite being on a pretty stacked team offensively. I doubt the Riders would be comfortable with him starting in 2026 should Harris retire.
Stevens is a depth piece/jumbo package pivot at best. Those aren't hard to find.
Maybe read @Tecno's post again.
Maier is a free agent, good as can be for a backup but hasn't established himself as a starter despite being handed the throne in Calgary.
Quote from: BlueInCgy on November 26, 2025, 11:51:45 AMSigh.....Harris/Mayer/Stevens is one of the deepest QB rosters in the league, but don't let facts get in the way of a narrative.
Maier won't even get you .333 if he's forced into #1. I'd rather have Arbuckle, Powell, Crum, or a million other guys. Maier was so bad he almost cost Dickenson The Greater his job for sticking with him for so long. He's basically the next Franklin.
I'd rather start Strev with a broken knee and a brace, he'll still win you .500, warts and all.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 26, 2025, 05:09:12 PMMaier is a free agent, good as can be for a backup but hasn't established himself as a starter despite being handed the throne in Calgary.
I have zero faith Maier will get the job done in SSK if he couldn't even get the job done in CGY for many years when they still had a great team.
SSK O is a high-pressure high-speed high-accuracy short game that may be the worst thing you could possibly throw at Maier. His main bugbear was always accuracy and decision making.
The absolute best thing that could happen to the West-not-wearing-green is for Trevor to retire and for SSK to get stuck with Maier. They'd do better rehiring Cody -- and coming from me, that's saying something.
Maier, if stayin in Rider colors, is only holding the ball for when and if young Rourke returns from the NFL to our league. Rourke hasn't played as is on the Injued list with the 49ers., from an injury from college.
Quote from: bluebeard on November 30, 2025, 07:59:36 PMMaier, if stayin in Rider colors, is only holding the ball for when and if young Rourke returns from the NFL to our league. Rourke hasn't played as is on the Injued list with the 49ers., from an injury from college.
The Riders were smart to draft Kurtis Rourke, the lure of playing in the same league as his brother is going to draw him back to the CFL fairly quickly, instead of waiting years exploring his NFL options.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 30, 2025, 11:00:07 PMThe Riders were smart to draft Kurtis Rourke, the lure of playing in the same league as his brother is going to draw him back to the CFL fairly quickly, instead of waiting years exploring his NFL options.
lol, why do people keep repeating this false narrative?
He'll stick around the NFL for as long as he thinks he has a shot, just like any other player.
Quote from: Jesse on November 30, 2025, 11:03:21 PMlol, why do people keep repeating this false narrative?
He'll stick around the NFL for as long as he thinks he has a shot, just like any other player.
I have no idea if he has a legitimate chance of making it or not but having the opportunity to sign a CFL contract and make $500k+ per season within a couple of years if he's good enough might influence his thinking if he gets stuck on the hopeless NFL merry-go-round for a year or two like his brother did.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 01, 2025, 12:49:56 AMI have no idea if he has a legitimate chance of making it or not but having the opportunity to sign a CFL contract and make $500k+ per season within a couple of years if he's good enough might influence his thinking if he gets stuck on the hopeless NFL merry-go-round for a year or two like his brother did.
Also, young Rourke, I believe, was picked in the 7th round of the NFL draft. Not a high draft pick, missed this season due to injury and will have to try to make the 49ers or some other team against higher QB picks in the 2026 dreaft. No doubt, in my mind, that he is getting input from his older brother and what went on for him. This should be interesting to watch.
I also believe that Harris wants to play one more season before heading into a coaching gig. I believe he would be a good OC for someone.
Quote from: bluebeard on December 03, 2025, 07:32:18 PMAlso, young Rourke, I believe, was picked in the 7th round of the NFL draft. Not a high draft pick, missed this season due to injury and will have to try to make the 49ers or some other team against higher QB picks in the 2026 dreaft. No doubt, in my mind, that he is getting input from his older brother and what went on for him. This should be interesting to watch.
I also believe that Harris wants to play one more season before heading into a coaching gig. I believe he would be a good OC for someone.
Kurtis was drafted lower due to his known injury. He won't be available to the CFL for some time whether Harris calls it a day or not.
OK...great to know. thanks