Blue Bombers add quarterback
WINNIPEG, MB., November 25, 2025 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the team has signed American quarterback Bryce Perkins.
Perkins (6-2, 215, Virginia; born: December 20, 1996, in Chandler, AZ.) signs a futures contract with the Blue Bombers after three seasons in the NFL (2021-2022, 2025), two in the UFL (2024-2025), and a four-year collegiate career split between Arizona State (2015-2016), and Virginia (2018-2019).
Perkins signed with the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and was a part of the Super Bowl LVI winning squad in 2021. Perkins appeared in five games with one start, where he completed 13 passes on 23 attempts, threw one touchdown, and rushed nine times for 44 yards in a 26-10 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs. Perkins signed briefly with the Carolina Panthers in August 2025 but was released shortly after.
His 2025 UFL season with the Michigan Panthers saw him completing 109 passes for 1,342 yards and nine touchdowns, while rushing for 269 yards on 47 tries for five touchdowns in six starts. After the season, Perkins was awarded UFL MVP and UFL Offensive Player of the Year and led the league in yards-per-attempt (8.5), and passer rating (108.7).
A native of Chandler, Arizona, Perkins played college football at Arizona State and Virginia. At Virginia, he set the school record for single-season total offense with 3,603 yards and 34 touchdowns in 2018 and followed with 3,540 total yards and 33 touchdowns in 2019.
Good resume. Hard to get excited about guys who come up at this age though.
2019 College
2025 UFL
Talk about uninspiring football.
Someday, maybe the CFL can play games to empty stadiums across the USA!
UFL player of the year. Wow. We might have something here.
Well he sounds promising. One to watch in TC and pre season in 2026.
Thank the football gods. This guy, Elgersma and Zach next year please.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on November 25, 2025, 10:23:20 PMThank the football gods. This guy, Elgersma and Zach next year please.
I'm hoping that at 5'10", Vanderbilt sensation Diego Pavia, recently added to the Bombers Neg List, will not be taken seriously in the NFL in his draft year and will be brought in here to challenge Elgersma and Perkins. Guy is a Rourke clone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1jlE1oTqwQ
Quote from: VictorRomano on November 26, 2025, 02:49:41 PMI'm hoping that at 5'10", Vanderbilt sensation Diego Pavia, recently added to the Bombers Neg List, will not be taken seriously in the NFL in his draft year and will be brought in here to challenge Elgersma and Perkins. Guy is a Rourke clone:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-1jlE1oTqwQ
Could be. He's too small for the NFL. Rourke is 6 foot 1 though.
I think Artopoeus is still in the mix.
Paul Friesen saying this guy is the "next Streveller".
Highlight videos from the spring league show his zeal for breaking tackles and keeping plays alive with his legs.
The Bombers could be looking for a short-yardage and goal-line specialist after Streveler suffered a season-ending knee injury
Terry Wilson also played in the UFL but this guy has had much more success there.
Quote from: Waffler on November 26, 2025, 04:09:14 PMPaul Friesen saying this guy is the "next Streveller".
Highlight videos from the spring league show his zeal for breaking tackles and keeping plays alive with his legs.
The Bombers could be looking for a short-yardage and goal-line specialist after Streveler suffered a season-ending knee injury
Terry Wilson also played in the UFL but this guy has had much more success there.
We don't need the next Streveler. We need the next legit # 2 QB that can progress to a # 1 QB.
Quote from: Waffler on November 26, 2025, 04:09:14 PMPaul Friesen saying this guy is the "next Streveller".
Highlight videos from the spring league show his zeal for breaking tackles and keeping plays alive with his legs.
The Bombers could be looking for a short-yardage and goal-line specialist after Streveler suffered a season-ending knee injury
Terry Wilson also played in the UFL but this guy has had much more success there.
And this is the concept that turned me around on this signing. At first I questioned the value of a 29 year old prospect. But he's not coming in to push Zach for starting reps. We cannot afford a veteran back-up and Streveler is likely out of the mix. This guy gives us as much experience as a rookie can give you. Maybe he can fill in as our short yardage guy and emergency back-up while Elgersma and others percolate a bit.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 26, 2025, 04:11:50 PMWe don't need the next Streveler. We need the next legit # 2 QB that can progress to a # 1 QB.
I agree but see the scenario that our short yardage guy really could be the #3 QB in 2026. It's possible anyway. Zach, new guy and Perkins.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 26, 2025, 04:11:50 PMWe don't need the next Streveler. We need the next legit # 2 QB that can progress to a # 1 QB.
We need both.
As much as people are excited about Elgersma. We shouldn't want him taking game snaps next year unless it's some development time at the end of the year.
We need a cheap bandaid while we bridge the gap.
Quote from: Jesse on November 26, 2025, 04:16:57 PMWe need both.
As much as people are excited about Elgersma. We shouldn't want him taking game snaps next year unless it's some development time at the end of the year.
We need a cheap bandaid while we bridge the gap.
Sure but the comparison to needing the next Streveler is flawed since he was only never more than a short yardage QB.
That's a role for a # 3 QB not the next hope for the next # 2 for more than a season.
Can he be that player? IDK so TC will be interesting to see if he leap frogs the other candidates.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 26, 2025, 04:24:27 PMSure but the comparison to needing the next Streveler is flawed...
It's just Friesen's opinion, so take it FWIW: not all that much.
Perkins could be a stopgap depending on how does in TC. And if he can handle the SY/jumbo package duties at the very least, that's a win.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 26, 2025, 04:24:27 PMSure but the comparison to needing the next Streveler is flawed since he was only never more than a short yardage QB.
That's a role for a # 3 QB not the next hope for the next # 2 for more than a season.
Can he be that player? IDK so TC will be interesting to see if he leap frogs the other candidates.
I don't really want to get bogged down in the definitions of #2 vs #3 and their responsibilities. Those change based on the team and personnel.
Streveler was all of those things last year when healthy.
A guy like Perkins is going to compete to be the back-up and if he doesn't show he's capable, he's likely cut. Whether the back-up is also the short yardage guy depends on who it is, I guess. But we haven't seen it be two separate people since Dru Brown was here.
Quote from: Jesse on November 26, 2025, 04:38:38 PMI don't really want to get bogged down in the definitions of #2 vs #3 and their responsibilities. Those change based on the team and personnel.
Streveler was all of those things last year when healthy.
A guy like Perkins is going to compete to be the back-up and if he doesn't show he's capable, he's likely cut. Whether the back-up is also the short yardage guy depends on who it is, I guess. But we haven't seen it be two separate people since Dru Brown was here.
Most teams don't use the # 2 as the short yardage guy. That's the point. The short yardage QB is a development player that starts as short yardage type IMO.
Streveler was an exception because we never had a real development player after Dru Brown. In that sense and reason he filled both roles. It's debatable whether Wilson or Arto will ever progress from a # 3 spot unless due to injury. Whether either is even on the roster in 2026 in unknown.
Anyone see anything on social media on Strev's state of mind? I assume he went under the knife and is contemplating rehab, maybe he's still in Wpg?
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 26, 2025, 04:44:05 PMMost teams don't use the # 2 as the short yardage guy. That's the point. The short yardage QB is a development player that starts as short yardage type IMO.
Streveler was an exception because we never had a real development player after Dru Brown. In that sense and reason he filled both roles. It's debatable whether Wilson or Arto will ever progress from a # 3 spot unless due to injury. Whether either is even on the roster in 2026 in unknown.
I don't know if teams are really operating this way anymore.
We certainly haven't. As far as I know the athletic QBs like Rourke and VAJ are doing their own short yardage snaps. Sask as Stevens who is SY specialist. They're not developing him. Same with Dolegala in Hamilton who was used entirely for SY. Also no a prospect at this point in his career. Montreal used a mix of Caleb Evans and Shea Patterson.
The only guy I can think of who
might fit the mold you're talking about is Dustin Crum in Ottawa. But there's not too many teams using a young prospect that they are developing as the SY guy. It seems to be a mix of starters and athletic vets.
Quote from: peg_city on November 25, 2025, 06:42:09 PMUFL player of the year. Wow. We might have something here.
Hol up.
The Bombers signed the 1997 MVP of the World League of American Football and brought him in for the 1998 season.
He started the first 10 games that year and lost them all lol.
I won't mention his name for fear of triggering PTSD in some of the older posters.
Quote from: The Fresh Prince Of Belair, MB on November 26, 2025, 05:47:45 PMHol up.
The Bombers signed the 1997 MVP of the World League of American Football and brought him in for the 1998 season.
He started the first 10 games that year and lost them all lol.
I won't mention his name for fear of triggering PTSD in some of the older posters.
I didn't know that :o
Also, looking at the Bomber roster in 1998, I completely forgot about Kevin Mason.
https://www.statscrew.com/football/stats/p-masonkev001#:~:text=Kevin%20Mason%20played%20from%201996,35%20touchdowns%20and%2041%20interceptions.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 26, 2025, 04:11:50 PMWe don't need the next Streveler. We need the next legit # 2 QB that can progress to a # 1 QB.
We do. WPG has had a SY specialist for the entire Mafia tenure. It's part of our M.O. And teams with a specialist who is good tend to do better. See: SSK with their unstoppable freight train.
If Strev is out half/all year and/or not re-signed then bringing in a Strev clone (but younger and with a good knee) is just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully we can turn him into a legit SY super fast -- don't want failures on 3rd & 1 early in the season.
It might be a clean sweep of the QB room-not-named-Zach this season. And I would be ok with that.
P.S. No way we roll without a SY guy, and no reason anyone ever should because the 3rd dressed QB is a "free/forced dress". Why waste/risk that job on a RB, or your starting QB, or some other player? Those guys have more important things to be doing.
Quote from: Tecno on November 27, 2025, 06:19:51 AMWe do. WPG has had a SY specialist for the entire Mafia tenure. It's part of our M.O. And teams with a specialist who is good tend to do better. See: SSK with their unstoppable freight train.
If Strev is out half/all year and/or not re-signed then bringing in a Strev clone (but younger and with a good knee) is just what the doctor ordered. Hopefully we can turn him into a legit SY super fast -- don't want failures on 3rd & 1 early in the season.
It might be a clean sweep of the QB room-not-named-Zach this season. And I would be ok with that.
P.S. No way we roll without a SY guy, and no reason anyone ever should because the 3rd dressed QB is a "free/forced dress". Why waste/risk that job on a RB, or your starting QB, or some other player? Those guys have more important things to be doing.
That's not the point. The point is that we don't need our # 2 QB to be the SY player. We need to find a # 2 QB with an actual chance to become a starter in the future, not a place holder.
At the moment that would be Wilson. What we don't know is whether he will win the spot as # 2. I don't think that is the case and he may not even make the roster in 2026.
Quote from: Tecno on November 27, 2025, 06:19:51 AMWPG has had a SY specialist for the entire Mafia tenure. It's part of our M.O. And teams with a specialist who is good tend to do better. See: SSK with their unstoppable freight train.
Sadly, people called me crazy last offseason when I said we should jettison Streveller and go after Tommy Stevens as our SY guy.
Quote from: VictorRomano on November 27, 2025, 02:21:37 PMSadly, people called me crazy last offseason when I said we should jettison Streveller and go after Tommy Stevens as our SY guy.
I think many were in favour of a change but we appointed Strev as our # 2 QB before the start of TC IMO. That's where the problem began.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 27, 2025, 03:54:38 PMI think many were in favour of a change but we appointed Strev as our # 2 QB before the start of TC IMO. That's where the problem began.
I don't know if that's entirely accurate. Streveler started week 1 vs. BC and fared well enough with Collaros serving that ridiculous 1-game suspension.
Collaros got hurt a few weeks later and Streveler struggled to find any rhythm or success in his place.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 27, 2025, 04:23:41 PMI don't know if that's entirely accurate. Streveler started week 1 vs. BC and fared well enough with Collaros serving that ridiculous 1-game suspension.
Collaros got hurt a few weeks later and Streveler struggled to find any rhythm or success in his place.
Didn't Strev win all 3 of the games he started if not impress? Techno will be by shortly to verify.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 27, 2025, 04:23:41 PMI don't know if that's entirely accurate. Streveler started week 1 vs. BC and fared well enough with Collaros serving that ridiculous 1-game suspension.
Collaros got hurt a few weeks later and Streveler struggled to find any rhythm or success in his place.
Well if you think Streveler is a qualified # 2 QB then we have a different view. Yes the Bombers won the game but that doesn't mean much IMO. He's not a good QB beyond being a SY freak of nature so to speak.
In that game Peterson ran for 130 yards and Lions were still trying to define their roster.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 27, 2025, 05:46:02 PMWell if you think Streveler is a qualified # 2 QB then we have a different view. Yes the Bombers won the game but that doesn't mean much IMO. He's not a good QB beyond being a SY freak of nature so to speak.
In that game Peterson ran for 130 yards and Lions were still trying to define their roster.
I said or implied no such thing. I simply disagree with the claim that a problem started in TC relative to the QB corps here for 2025.
A win is a win and Streveler helped the team get that win in week 1. Your silly excuses for the Lions being on the losing end of that game don't change that fact.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 27, 2025, 05:46:02 PMWell if you think Streveler is a qualified # 2 QB then we have a different view. Yes the Bombers won the game but that doesn't mean much IMO. He's not a good QB beyond being a SY freak of nature so to speak.
In that game Peterson ran for 130 yards and Lions were still trying to define their roster.
Strev was definitely viewed as a "viable" #2 going into last year despite many thinking that 2024 proved he was done. Personally I was on the fence as I wanted to believe what we saw in 2024 was bad luck of sorts and I wanted to be optimistic he could revive his 2019 magic. Hindsight proves that wrong, however, but regardless, I think that was the thought process for 2025 and unfortunately sits in an outbox pile of failures of last season.
The Strev experiment is over now, and I think we will have a prospect for the future as well as another prospect who will also be expected to excel at SY and even other "athletic" special plays - that would be Perkins presumably and hopefully Elgersma to take in the CFL and start to get good. I don't know any of this for certain but the logic makes sense.
Quote from: blue_or_die on November 27, 2025, 06:02:49 PMThe Strev experiment is over now...
Without a doubt. Consecutive knee injuries for a player who relies heavily on his mobility to be successful makes him a serious liability going forward.
Miles Brown is scum.
Wilson is a very good short yardage qb.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on November 27, 2025, 06:01:38 PMI said or implied no such thing. I simply disagree with the claim that a problem started in TC relative to the QB corps here for 2025.
A win is a win and Streveler helped the team get that win in week 1. Your silly excuses for the Lions being on the losing end of that game don't change that fact.
It's not just that game. Streveler's time in the CFL has not been progressing. He was essentially a strong runner that threw an odd pass. He never learned to read a defence. His mechanics were horrible and once he lost his ability to run things got worse.
He beat Ottawa with 54 yards passing. Ottawa isn't / wasn't even a good team.
Does he get a gold star for that? Isn't this the context of the discussion in this string?
Bombers may not have had a better option going into TC. I did point this point before TC started that this was not good. No upside, injury history and any extended time needing to start would end badly.
If without his current injury did he show anybody on the planet that he should be back for TC this season?
Quote from: blue_or_die on November 27, 2025, 06:02:49 PMStrev was definitely viewed as a "viable" #2 going into last year despite many thinking that 2024 proved he was done. Personally I was on the fence as I wanted to believe what we saw in 2024 was bad luck of sorts and I wanted to be optimistic he could revive his 2019 magic. Hindsight proves that wrong, however, but regardless, I think that was the thought process for 2025 and unfortunately sits in an outbox pile of failures of last season.
The Strev experiment is over now, and I think we will have a prospect for the future as well as another prospect who will also be expected to excel at SY and even other "athletic" special plays - that would be Perkins presumably and hopefully Elgersma to take in the CFL and start to get good. I don't know any of this for certain but the logic makes sense.
IDK. I viewed it as the least bad option considering who was available and would come to Winnipeg at an affordable SMS.
This isn't my hindsight. I said it when he was signed before TC began. Many others felt the same way. Others were optimistic because he's a popular person and had some success earlier on a top level team surrounding him.
That's not currently the situation.
I'd like to see Strevy stick around with the organization by becoming a community ambassador like Brandon Alexander.
It would be great to still run into him on game days and have him contribute to the football community around the province.
He might decide to focus on his quarterback school full time however.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 27, 2025, 09:23:47 PMIDK. I viewed it as the least bad option considering who was available and would come to Winnipeg at an affordable SMS.
This isn't my hindsight. I said it when he was signed before TC began. Many others felt the same way. Others were optimistic because he's a popular person and had some success earlier on a top level team surrounding him.
That's not currently the situation.
Strev turned out to be what he always was, a decent run focused #2 QB with little chance of ever rising to #1. My biggest concern is he was a placeholder blocking the path of other QB's who had a better chance of rising to #1. They've employed Terry Wilson for 2 full seasons and still don't have a clear vision of what he can become. It won't surprise me if they cut him instead of finding out.
Quote from: gobombersgo on November 27, 2025, 09:36:41 PMI'd like to see Strevy stick around with the organization by becoming a community ambassador like Brandon Alexander.
It would be great to still run into him on game days and have him contribute to the football community around the province.
He might decide to focus on his quarterback school full time however.
Isn't his girlfriend from Winnipeg? Regardless your idea has merit. He's a very likeable personality but I have no idea what his plans will be going forward. He may have some interest in coaching at some point but as what exactly and what team has space / need right now.
His interest may lie elsewhere in business and location. I'm not aware of his interest in permanently moving to Canada.
As for the post above mine I agree. That is the risk with every player that isn't the " star " per se. The team may have had high expectations for the other back ups developing more in 2025. Maybe they still do. Unless some spent a lot of time observing at practice it's an unknown issue.
Bombers aren't the only team with the same kind of issues. Every team has had recruits come and go at the QB position. It's not like starting Qb's are falling out of trees.
Wilson could get cut before TC or end up as our # 2 next year. At least in the next man up concept at the beginning. Does he have a future? I hope so but I have nothing to base it on at the moment.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 27, 2025, 01:01:22 PMThat's not the point. The point is that we don't need our # 2 QB to be the SY player. We need to find a # 2 QB with an actual chance to become a starter in the future, not a place holder.
That's because the CFL doesn't really have 3 types of QBs, they have 4, and every team really needs all 4. That means at least one QB must fit 2 categories.
a. Franchise starter
b. Ready-now backup when #1 is injured
c. SY specialist
d. Dev guy you hope will be future #1
The confusion for us in '25 was that Strev was b&c. No one ever thought of him as d, at least not as late as '25. Wilson was d&c, but kept around mostly for d.
The reason b&d must be separated is when you bring in a raw rookie, even one with #1 potential, you don't want to be forced to play him that season. Even Dru didn't do much until year 2.
Thus a Strev-like guy who is definitely not d, but is a reliable b, is very valuable while you still develop your d guy (Wilson).
And Strev was dirt cheap. Can't discount the impact of him asking for peanuts, as KW doesn't want to tie up a lot $$ in the QB room.
Quote from: VictorRomano on November 27, 2025, 02:21:37 PMSadly, people called me crazy last offseason when I said we should jettison Streveller and go after Tommy Stevens as our SY guy.
It was crazy without having a legit .500 backup QB. Stevens has proven he can't do anything other than SY. He was legit horrible at actually being a real QB. Like worse than Marve (who was a superb SY guy). Stevens is pure SY. Period.
Wilson was still a dev and was not going to step in and win you games if Zach went down. Whereas everyone knew Strev would win us .500 (he's proven it every season he's been here).
That is why we hired Strev and not Stevens. PLUS, Stevens is making probably $50k more than Strev. We couldn't afford him.
I'm with Techno and Jesse here
Yeah Doug Flutie was lousy when he came up here. Geez we get a legitimate guy with credentials and you. Crap on him.
Is Mark Gronowski, QB listed on our neg list the one from Iowa? On the neg list it shows South Dakota. So either 2 with the same name or an error.
Iowa is playing Nebraska on TV right now.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 28, 2025, 05:56:06 PMIs Mark Gronowski, QB listed on our neg list the one from Iowa? On the neg list it shows South Dakota. So either 2 with the same name or an error.
Iowa is playing Nebraska on TV right now.
He played for 5 years at South Dakota and got an extra year of eligibility and transferred to Iowa.
Quote from: Tecno on November 28, 2025, 01:00:24 AMeveryone knew Strev would win us .500 (he's proven it every season he's been here).
This is true but the games he was in he usually took such a pounding that he couldn't be a long term replacement. Ironic that what took him out last time was non-contact.
Quote from: Waffler on November 29, 2025, 03:25:22 PMThis is true but the games he was in he usually took such a pounding that he couldn't be a long term replacement. Ironic that what took him out last time was non-contact.
His career stats were 26 TD's versus 31 int's.
The Bombers may have won games while he was the QB but can we really say he was the reason we won? Bombers were an excellent team during his tenure. Top defence and players like Lawler and Oliveria leading the offence.
Sometimes the best thing that can be said about some QB's in some games is that they didn't lose the game. However it's also true that sometimes a QB that is not an all star makes a play that wins a game.
Draw a line where you choose on which games won were more about his play than that of the team around him.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 29, 2025, 04:14:59 PMHis career stats were 26 TD's versus 31 int's.
The Bombers may have won games while he was the QB but can we really say he was the reason we won? Bombers were an excellent team during his tenure. Top defence and players like Lawler and Oliveria leading the offence.
Sometimes the best thing that can be said about some QB's in some games is that they didn't lose the game. However it's also true that sometimes a QB that is not an all star makes a play that wins a game.
Draw a line where you choose on which games won were more about his play than that of the team around him.
Compared to Dustin Crum, Strev. put up worse numbers in almost every category but came away with more wins because he plays with the better team.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on November 29, 2025, 05:04:17 PMCompared to Dustin Crum, Strev. put up worse numbers in almost every category but came away with more wins because he plays with the better team.
I'd consider trying to sign Crum. He has some upside and at worst would be the SY QB. His SMS probably reasonable.
OTOH, I have no idea what the plan is for the 2 back up QB's from 2025 or what to expect before TC on Elgersma for example.
Quote from: Blue In BC on November 29, 2025, 05:28:20 PMI'd consider trying to sign Crum. He has some upside and at worst would be the SY QB. His SMS probably reasonable.
OTOH, I have no idea what the plan is for the 2 back up QB's from 2025 or what to expect before TC on Elgersma for example.
Yah, Crumm is the perfect backup QB, don't see him reaching starter status, like Strev he's usually geared to a run first mindset.
The absolute only reason to sign Crum is to prevent another Crumback. He seems to have the Bombers number. I'd much rather go with a completely new QB room than keep running retreads...
Gronowski is the real deal at 6'3' 230 he reminds me of a lot of Josh Allen.
Quote from: Pigskin on December 01, 2025, 07:23:00 PMGronowski is the real deal at 6'3' 230 he reminds me of a lot of Josh Allen.
I'll take your word for it. I wasn't overly impressed by him this week in the game I watched partially. In fairness that's not much for me to go on in channel surfing some of the college games.
That said, being on our neg list doesn't mean he ever ends up in Canada. So we'll see if he gets drafted this spring.
I see Elgersma got a workout by the 49 niners.
Quote from: Blue In BC on December 01, 2025, 08:31:43 PMI'll take your word for it. I wasn't overly impressed by him this week in the game I watched partially. In fairness that's not much for me to go on in channel surfing some of the college games.
That said, being on our neg list doesn't mean he ever ends up in Canada. So we'll see if he gets drafted this spring.
I see Elgersma got a workout by the 49 niners.
Darn, that may delay his arrival another 6 months.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 02, 2025, 12:20:16 AMDarn, that may delay his arrival another 6 months.
Not unless they sign him.
We're waiting until February when "futures contracts" can be offered. That's where he'll learn if he has a training camp invite anywhere. That might delay him.
If February comes and goes and he's left standing, then we probably get him in to TC.
I wonder if the Vikings will invite Elgersma?
Or....wont cause they saw enough of him when He was with the Packers.
Looks like Ford, Maier and Powell will all be free agents. I don't think we'll have interest in any of them, but I would kick the tires on Powell. Zac won't be around much longer.
Quote from: bunker on January 30, 2026, 07:54:25 PMLooks like Ford, Maier and Powell will all be free agents. I don't think we'll have interest in any of them, but I would kick the tires on Powell. Zac won't be around much longer.
I'd be very disappointed if the Bombers signed Maier, just the thought makes me sad.
Isnt it likely Elgersma signs with UFL?. I believe one of the areas hes weak in , is the lack of 4 down experience. Then if he does anything he'll likely hang around for another round of tryouts in the nfl.
Quote from: Pete on January 30, 2026, 09:03:42 PMIsnt it likely Elgersma signs with IFL?. I believe one of the areas hes weak in , is the lack of 4 down experience. Then if he does anything he'll likely hang around for another round of tryouts in the nfl.
That seems to be his plan. I'm sure he hopes that with some 4 down experience, he'll get another try out opportunity.
Quote from: Jesse on January 31, 2026, 12:47:21 AMThat seems to be his plan. I'm sure he hopes that with some 4 down experience, he'll get another try out opportunity.
In door football league or did you mean UFL? Either way he's not going to be the # 1 QB and may not see much playing time. I don't know that will help with another NFL opportunity.
I think Elgersma might choose the CFL and be in camp this summer. The reality is if you don't get signed in your draft year you're probably never going to make the NFL. Especially for QBs. Especially for a guy like him. He's now competing with this year's draft class in addition to the one he came out of where he wasn't successful.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 31, 2026, 02:10:40 PMI think Elgersma might choose the CFL and be in camp this summer. The reality is if you don't get signed in your draft year you're probably never going to make the NFL. Especially for QBs. Especially for a guy like him. He's now competing with this year's draft class in addition to the one he came out of where he wasn't successful.
He said two things in his recent interview with 3down. One, that he approached the Green Bay coach for feedback after being cut. Two, that the biggest knock against him was his lack of experience in the 4-down game. Then he was drafted by the UFL and the the HC of the Stallions said Elgersma was expected to be there.
So if the NFL is still his primary goal, he might think that he can try to do a season there and still be available of the 2026 NFL season.
Quote from: Jesse on January 31, 2026, 02:32:22 PMHe said two things in his recent interview with 3down. One, that he approached the Green Bay coach for feedback after being cut. Two, that the biggest knock against him was his lack of experience in the 4-down game. Then he was drafted by the UFL and the the HC of the Stallions said Elgersma was expected to be there.
So if the NFL is still his primary goal, he might think that he can try to do a season there and still be available of the 2026 NFL season.
I dunno, I get that Elgersma wants to do everything he can to make himself attractive to the NFL, but at some point he has to read between the lines and accept they're not all that interested in him and he's unlikely to change their minds by trying harder.
If Elgersma waits another year away his spot could get compromised here!
Quote from: Jesse on January 31, 2026, 02:32:22 PMHe said two things in his recent interview with 3down. One, that he approached the Green Bay coach for feedback after being cut. Two, that the biggest knock against him was his lack of experience in the 4-down game. Then he was drafted by the UFL and the the HC of the Stallions said Elgersma was expected to be there.
So if the NFL is still his primary goal, he might think that he can try to do a season there and still be available of the 2026 NFL season.
He may. But there's no guarantee he plays much in the UFL either and their best quarterbacks tend to come to the CFL not go to the NFL (if they go anywhere) which he also knows.
A year in the league down there gains him not much more four down experience and certainly he'll be way behind virtually the entire crop of QBs in the NFL draft this year.
Because it's a bit of a light year for QBs, maybe he sticks it out one more year. But it's a catch 22. The longer he waits the worse his odds become no matter what he does.
Quote from: GOLDMEMBER on January 31, 2026, 04:53:14 PMIf Elgersma waits another year away his spot could get compromised here!
not really. He's Canadian and a very promising talent. I think he is still 23 right now. We don't normally get a rookie QB until he's 26 years old. There's lots of time for him to take his shots!
Quote from: LXTSN on February 01, 2026, 05:10:30 PMnot really. He's Canadian and a very promising talent. I think he is still 23 right now. We don't normally get a rookie QB until he's 26 years old. There's lots of time for him to take his shots!
That's fortunate, he can make a pretty decent living for a long time if he becomes a starting QB in the CFL, standard pay is now at least $400k, $600k if he becomes a star.
Crum is off the table now so it's slim picking for the remaining QB's.
Quote from: Blue In BC on February 01, 2026, 07:37:35 PMCrum is off the table now so it's slim picking for the remaining QB's.
I personally wasn't expecting us to sign anyone at QB.
Pretty sure none of the retreads/never weres out there were on Walters/MOS/Condell's radar.
I'm happy with the depth of talent that they've brought for camp.
Quote from: theaardvark on February 01, 2026, 07:42:52 PMPretty sure none of the retreads/never weres out there were on Walters/MOS/Condell's radar.
I'm happy with the depth of talent that they've brought for camp.
Hard to say but I'm hoping Perkins does well. Lots of UFL experience is a good starting point I suppose.
Quote from: Blue In BC on February 01, 2026, 07:44:43 PMHard to say but I'm hoping Perkins does well. Lots of UFL experience is a good starting point I suppose.
I think we hope Perkins shows well enough to be our back-up, with Thorne and Elgersma as our young prospects in the pipeline.
Quote from: Jesse on February 01, 2026, 10:00:16 PMI think we hope Perkins shows well enough to be our back-up, with Thorne and Elgersma as our young prospects in the pipeline.
T. Wilson may be looking over both his shoulders now. Normally we don't retain a QB on the PR for long if at all.
Quote from: Blue In BC on February 01, 2026, 10:04:22 PMT. Wilson may be looking over both his shoulders now. Normally we don't retain a QB on the PR for long if at all.
The fact that they don't trust him to play when Streveler goes all game completing three passes should have been his first clue.
Quote from: Blue In BC on February 01, 2026, 10:04:22 PMT. Wilson may be looking over both his shoulders now. Normally we don't retain a QB on the PR for long if at all.
I assume he'll still get a shot, but if Perkins can play, Wilson is an early cut imo.
That's a big if though.
Quote from: Jesse on February 01, 2026, 10:33:51 PMI assume he'll still get a shot, but if Perkins can play, Wilson is an early cut imo.
That's a big if though.
It's not really a big "if". Perkins has the talent, both the NFL and UFL has seen it. Now whether or not he is a starter, that is a different question. But one thing we certainly have learned is Wilson is absolutely not a starter.
Perkins NFL stats. 19/34, 55.9%, 1TD, 2 Int.
His UFL stats. 6 Starts, 69%, 9 TDs, 2 Ints, 1342 yards, 8.5 avg.
Quote from: Pigskin on February 02, 2026, 08:12:56 PMPerkins NFL stats. 19/34, 55.9%, 1TD, 2 Int.
His UFL stats. 6 Starts, 69%, 9 TDs, 2 Ints, 1342 yards, 8.5 avg.
If his NFL stats were better, he would be in the NFL still and he won UFL MVP. Stats don't always tell the full story.
Quote from: kkc60 on February 02, 2026, 08:02:10 PMIt's not really a big "if". Perkins has the talent, both the NFL and UFL has seen it. Now whether or not he is a starter, that is a different question. But one thing we certainly have learned is Wilson is absolutely not a starter.
It's a really big if. Just like all QBs coming in.
Quote from: Jesse on February 02, 2026, 08:23:30 PMIt's a really big if. Just like all QBs coming in.
Many import QB's never get the Canadian game. 12 men, 3 downs, motion, bigger field and less time between plays etc.
I remember a rumour from years past, that I can't substantiate. Something along the lines of a rookie QB lasting a couple of practices and seeing all the difference saying " what the " and packed his bags and left.
Also remember QB's like Jim Zorn barely lasting one game in the CFL.
Anyway. I'm only hoping that Perkins can show something and not just get on the AR by default. That applies to the other QB's and TC will be telling.
Quote from: Pigskin on February 02, 2026, 08:12:56 PMPerkins NFL stats. 19/34, 55.9%, 1TD, 2 Int.
His UFL stats. 6 Starts, 69%, 9 TDs, 2 Ints, 1342 yards, 8.5 avg.
That isn't enough experience to reveal anything either way, especially the NFL reps. he was probably shell shocked the entire time he was on the field.
Well, Elgersma's NFL combine experience is done. He wasn't invited to test on anything but he did throw passes to receivers at a few points.
Can't imagine that will be exciting to most teams but I guess we'll find out.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on March 01, 2026, 06:45:48 PMWell, Elgersma's NFL combine experience is done. He wasn't invited to test on anything but he did throw passes to receivers at a few points.
Can't imagine that will be exciting to most teams but I guess we'll find out.
That sounds like an early exit. Do we know if he's reporting to his UFL team now? He was reported as listed on a roster but nothing showing he'd actually plan to attend TC etc.
I like the two qbs Bryce Perkins and Payton Thorne. we are much better off trying to bring in some qbs with winning experience than trying to utilize retreads that haven't won hardly anything in the cfl over the last year.
If Collaros goes down its no different than any of the teams except maybe the Argos. None of the back up qbs in the league other than Arbuckle have shown they are capable of stepping in. Mtrl tried 2 or 3 guys and even with their team which is pretty good they still lost.
Maier has been awful, Ford didn't last in Edm, MBT was just bad. Crum couldn't win the list goes on. I, for one, am glad we didn't overspend on the back up qb position.
For all the criticisms at least Streveler was able to win some games for us.
I don't get the idea of a new up & coming QB going to the UFL instead of the CFL?
a) I think CFL film is more valuable than UFL film. We know the NFL is always eyeing the CFL.
b) The money of a starting UFL QB is about the same as a good backup CFL QB (though not on ELC minimum, if that's all they can get).
The only thing I can think of is if he wants to stay in the "4 down" headspace for his own sake.
Quote from: Tecno on March 02, 2026, 01:50:49 AMI don't get the idea of a new up & coming QB going to the UFL instead of the CFL?
a) I think CFL film is more valuable than UFL film. We know the NFL is always eyeing the CFL.
b) The money of a starting UFL QB is about the same as a good backup CFL QB (though not on ELC minimum, if that's all they can get).
The only thing I can think of is if he wants to stay in the "4 down" headspace for his own sake.
the feedback Elgersma has been getting is that the nfl teams are leery of his lack of 4 down experience so the ufl presents an opportunity to help that. Personally I think all he is doing is delaying his cfl career If the nfl thought he has the talent they would find a way to keep him on the roster
Quote from: Pete on March 01, 2026, 11:50:14 PMI like the two qbs Bryce Perkins and Payton Thorne. we are much better off trying to bring in some qbs with winning experience than trying to utilize retreads that haven't won hardly anything in the cfl over the last year.
If Collaros goes down its no different than any of the teams except maybe the Argos. None of the back up qbs in the league other than Arbuckle have shown they are capable of stepping in. Mtrl tried 2 or 3 guys and even with their team which is pretty good they still lost.
Maier has been awful, Ford didn't last in Edm, MBT was just bad. Crum couldn't win the list goes on. I, for one, am glad we didn't overspend on the back up qb position.
For all the criticisms at least Streveler was able to win some games for us.
Realistically, your chance of winning will go down considerably with a backup, but you'd like to have an option that gives you a punchers chance, and hopefully wins 1/2 the games they have to start. I think there are options we had that could have been better for us than what we've got (Powell, Ford, Maier in order of desirability) but we weren't going to pay what it took, and clearly had other priorities.
Quote from: bunker on March 02, 2026, 03:03:39 AMbut we weren't going to pay what it took, and clearly had other priorities.
Well, you can invest $200k+ in a legit backup that might never see the field. Or you can take that $200k and massively upgrade your OL to keep your QB 99% clean. Like '21-'22 Zach/Bombers clean. Oh ya, and scheme shorter/quicker.
Zach can play indefinitely as long as he's not taking hits. Look at how SSK protected Trevor last season. He took like 2 decent hits. Granted, they were wallops (which was kind of unlucky, really), but other than those he was mostly clean.
It was a few years back I was watching the NFL playoffs and Mahomes was like 100% clean. No matter how long it took his OL would keep the DL at bay. It was incredible. Against legit NFL DLs!! That's the kind of OL
we need. Then you can just get ELCs for all your other QBs!!
All about the OL this season, agree Tecno. I would like to see a steady diet of bombs and runs. Don't mind the short game but I think the deep ball is key for Zach.
Quote from: Tecno on March 02, 2026, 01:50:49 AMI don't get the idea of a new up & coming QB going to the UFL instead of the CFL?
a) I think CFL film is more valuable than UFL film. We know the NFL is always eyeing the CFL.
b) The money of a starting UFL QB is about the same as a good backup CFL QB (though not on ELC minimum, if that's all they can get).
The only thing I can think of is if he wants to stay in the "4 down" headspace for his own sake.
I think there are more ufl players moving up to the NFL than CFL players.
Also, some NFL coaches go the UFL and come from the UFL, so there are more relationships that way. Gruden's brother was an arena league coach.
So UFL probably gives a better chance to get into the NFL.
I think Elgersma is wasting his time.. I can think of four CFL quarterbacks that lasted in the NFL. Over a period of sixty years.
Joe kapp, Warren moon, Jeff Garcia and Flutie. Sean Salisbury for a bit of time.
Quote from: markf on March 02, 2026, 03:55:38 PMI think there are more ufl players moving up to the NFL than CFL players.
Also, some NFL coaches go the UFL and come from the UFL, so there are more relationships that way.
So a better chance to get into the NFL.
I think Elgersma is wasting his time.. I can think of four CFL quarterbacks that lasted in the NFL. Over a period of forty years.
Even Flutie was held in low estime.
Joe kapp, Warren moon, Jeff Garcia and Flutie. Sean Salisbury for a bit of time.
Elgersma has reported to UFL TC. We'll see if he makes the roster and how much playing time he gets. Too soon to tell how things work out for him.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 02, 2026, 04:03:00 PMElgersma has reported to UFL TC. We'll see if he makes the roster and how much playing time he gets. Too soon to tell how things work out for him.
Wonder how many QB's make each team, likely 3, doesn't look like they maintain PR's during the season.
Key 2026 UFL Roster Details:
Training Camp Roster: Limited to 64 players.
Draft & Reserves: Teams can draft a maximum of 12 players to a Reserve List.
Structure: Similar to the inaugural 2024 season, teams manage a 50-man active roster for games while utilizing a broader, shifting roster during the off-season and training camp to develop talent.
EDIT: Birmingham only has 3 QB's in TC, so he pretty much makes the team.
https://www.theufl.com/teams/birmingham/roster (https://www.theufl.com/teams/birmingham/roster)
If Birmingham doesn't make the playoffs their 10 game season would be over by the end of May.
All games will be broadcast on either Fox, ABC or ESPN.
Are the UFL contracts annual, or seasonal? Does he have a one year deal, or two?
Does the CFL honour UFL contracts?
I don't see a need for him to be here for camp, or for time during the season, we have plenty of arms for that.
If he shakes loose before camp, he can try to earn a roster spot.
If he decides to come north after the start of the season, if we want to keep him, he needs an AR spot, not a PR spot. But I am sure whoever is QB3 at that time will take the PR spot.
Or, if he kicks around looking to land an NFL look again, be just as happy to see him next spring for camp.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 02, 2026, 05:49:03 PMAre the UFL contracts annual, or seasonal? Does he have a one year deal, or two?
Does the CFL honour UFL contracts?
I don't see a need for him to be here for camp, or for time during the season, we have plenty of arms for that.
If he shakes loose before camp, he can try to earn a roster spot.
If he decides to come north after the start of the season, if we want to keep him, he needs an AR spot, not a PR spot. But I am sure whoever is QB3 at that time will take the PR spot.
Or, if he kicks around looking to land an NFL look again, be just as happy to see him next spring for camp.
Hoping to see him in June, if he takes a different route time to consider trading his rights away.
Don't like him reporting to the UFL. No idea how well he'll do but even Rourke didn't go that route. He says the right things about the CFL but his actions say another. He's essentially a CIS quarterback doing a nuclear version of the Henoc Muamba tour. His head is clearly not in the CFL game or Canada despite that being the only football he's played.
As far as I'm concerned he can do whatever he wants. He won't make a meaningful contribution this season even if he comes up here. Even looking longer term, who knows if he even ever becomes a contributing QB in the league, even as a number 2. He's totally unproven, and the odds of any QB developing into a proven commodity are small. Lots of sizzle so far, but no steak.
We have Perkins coming to camp, he's a former UFL MVP, Elgersma hasn't even made a UFL team yet...I really couldn't care less about the guy and if it wasn't for his NAT status, we wouldn't even be talking about him. Too much has been said about a guy who really hasn't done anything
Quote from: bunker on March 02, 2026, 10:11:48 PMAs far as I'm concerned he can do whatever he wants. He won't make a meaningful contribution this season even if he comes up here. Even looking longer term, who knows if he even ever becomes a contributing QB in the league, even as a number 2. He's totally unproven, and the odds of any QB developing into a proven commodity are small. Lots of sizzle so far, but no steak.
If there's any chance he is the one to replace Zach, he needs to show up this season and show some signs he can be developed into a #1 QB. If he can't achieve that, than he goes down as a wasted draft pick.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on March 02, 2026, 06:22:42 PMDon't like him reporting to the UFL. No idea how well he'll do but even Rourke didn't go that route. He says the right things about the CFL but his actions say another. He's essentially a CIS quarterback doing a nuclear version of the Henoc Muamba tour. His head is clearly not in the CFL game or Canada despite that being the only football he's played.
His words and his actions have been pretty clear. He is going to exhaust all NFL opportunities. The NFL has told him he needs experience in the 4-down game, so he took the first the first available opportunity to gain that experience.
I'm sure he hopes that he'll run through a spring league season and earn new work outs ahead of the next NFL season. It's not ideal for us, but it's what he feels is his best shot moving forward.
Quote from: markf on March 02, 2026, 03:55:38 PMI think there are more ufl players moving up to the NFL than CFL players.
Is there stats on this? I'm not so sure that's the case. CFL has more teams, right? So more potential good finds. Plus, we pay our top players more, so we should attract better talent than UFL.
How many CFL guys go to the NFL for "looks" every season? 12? How many "stick" on average for more than 1 year? 3 a season? How many stick for more than 3 years? 1?
The number isn't high, but it just might be higher than the UFL. We certainly know that the NFL scouts are always watching the CFL for the next big thing.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on March 02, 2026, 06:22:42 PMHe's essentially a CIS quarterback doing a nuclear version of the Henoc Muamba tour.
There's a more nuclear version of the Henoc mercenary tour than what Henoc himself did?! :o :o :o ;D ;D
Quote from: Tecno on March 03, 2026, 02:35:23 AMIs there stats on this? I'm not so sure that's the case. CFL has more teams, right? So more potential good finds. Plus, we pay our top players more, so we should attract better talent than UFL.
How many CFL guys go to the NFL for "looks" every season? 12? How many "stick" on average for more than 1 year? 3 a season? How many stick for more than 3 years? 1?
The number isn't high, but it just might be higher than the UFL. We certainly know that the NFL scouts are always watching the CFL for the next big thing.
One advantage the UFL has over the CFL is the player can be scouted without a passport and border crossing and is available within a 3-4 hour direct flight from almost anywhere. Simplicity always makes it easier.
I hope he can get some reps down there and he can follow his dream. Once he has scratched that itch, we are waiting. The playing time and development down there could help him with his CFL career but we have seen that also hurt more than help in some cases.
Quote from: Tecno on March 03, 2026, 02:35:23 AMIs there stats on this? I'm not so sure that's the case. CFL has more teams, right? So more potential good finds. Plus, we pay our top players more, so we should attract better talent than UFL.
How many CFL guys go to the NFL for "looks" every season? 12? How many "stick" on average for more than 1 year? 3 a season? How many stick for more than 3 years? 1?
The number isn't high, but it just might be higher than the UFL. We certainly know that the NFL scouts are always watching the CFL for the next big thing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Football_League_and_Arena_Football_League_players
I gave up on cfl to nfl.
Quote from: markf on March 03, 2026, 03:24:24 PMhttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_National_Football_League_and_Arena_Football_League_players
I gave up on cfl to nfl.
I'm not sure that list is much help. Many players were previously on NFL rosters. Some were on AR and most were on PR's or released in TC's.
Some will return to the NFL for a 2nd attempt. Many UFL players are ex NFL players at the end of their careers.
While I share the same frustration as everyone else re Elgersma, at this point I'm just not surprised. If we draft a player who has so much upside they get attention from the NFL, despite all conventional logic and wisdom, they go all in on that. They're not thinking about their career holistically, they're chasing a dream. I get it and it still sucks. We've seen it so often before that I know better than to get excited.
Life lesson: if something awesome could happen, it won't. lol.
The key to being "excited" about Elgersma is that he is familiar with 12 man, 3 down ball right out of the gate. In fact, it is his default.
Getting an NCAA QB "up to speed" on 3 down ball takes time. Elgersma gives us a shortcut. And he has proven that he can play 3 down ball at an elite college level. And has enough raw talent to get at least some eyeballs on him from the NFL and get drafted in the UFL.
Will he be a starter day one if he comes north? Most likely not, he will need time to "slow the game down" at the pro level.
Will UFL play and NFL tryouts "ruin" his 3 down psyche? Here's hoping it doesn't, and that he can revert to his training.
We obviously haven't put all our eggs in the Elgersma basket, we have legit QB talent coming to camp. But should he fall into our laps, he deserves a long, serious look. And if that means bumping an Imp QB3 to the PR, I have no issue with that.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 03, 2026, 04:46:42 PMI'm not sure that list is much help. Many players were previously on NFL rosters. Some were on AR and most were on PR's or released in TC's.
Some will return to the NFL for a 2nd attempt. Many UFL players are ex NFL players at the end of their careers.
Yes..
It's probably not of much interest, and not available at all.
One Canadian QB has become a starter in the CFL since Russ Jackson. Why does anyone care about Elgersma?
Much a do about nothing here until something, anything ever occurs...
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 03, 2026, 09:17:05 PMOne Canadian QB has become a starter in the CFL since Russ Jackson. Why does anyone care about Elgersma?
Eric Guthrie says hello.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 03, 2026, 09:49:04 PMEric Guthrie says hello.
Had to look him up, but it looks like there have been 2 starters since the 1960's. My point stands.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 03, 2026, 09:17:05 PMOne Canadian QB has become a starter in the CFL since Russ Jackson. Why does anyone care about Elgersma?
I think we care about all of our draft picks who are good enough to get NFL looks. We're also in the market for a young quarterback with his physical attributes.
Should we be intentionally uninterested because he's Canadian?
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 03, 2026, 09:17:05 PMOne Canadian QB has become a starter in the CFL since Russ Jackson. Why does anyone care about Elgersma?
Gerry Dattilio had a few moments in the sun.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 03, 2026, 11:23:04 PMHad to look him up, but it looks like there have been 2 starters since the 1960's. My point stands.
There have been a few Canadian that have started some games. Lions had another one. Hamilton had one in the mid 80's as well. While they did not have great success, they had some opportunities.
Frank Consentino in Hamilton also comes to mind. He played in the 1960's and had a 10 year career. Completed nearly 50 passes for 7700 yards. Keeping in mind that was the era of more run than passes.
Started a few games isn't what I call a starter.
What I'm saying is the chances of any Canadian QB, especially one who didn't have US coaching, becoming a starter in the CFL is remarkably slim. If he makes it he will be a unicorn, like Rourke.
There haven't been a lot of Canadian QB's playing in any league. Rypien, Palmer, O'Rourke in the NFL, Jackson and now Rourke in the CFL.
But then again, Canadian born football players in skill positions have been hens teeth as well. Sure, we've had a lot of hoggies over the years, but not a lot of skill players.
Recently, though, we've seen more of that, as Canadians get more NCAA opportunities. So thinking that Canadian boys can't be QB's is not likely to continue being a thing.
There is also the other side of being a Nat QB, there's always the Sinopoli option... Elgersma is 6'5 227, Sinopoli was 6'4 217... and he runs a 4.53 40... so there's that.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 03, 2026, 09:17:05 PMOne Canadian QB has become a starter in the CFL since Russ Jackson. Why does anyone care about Elgersma?
Because since a couple/few years ago the QB can count as one of your 7 NAT starters? That definitely increased the interest on making a NAT QB "work". Before that it was absolutely no "bonus" for you to start a NAT QB.
Quote from: Tecno on March 04, 2026, 04:47:12 AMBecause since a couple/few years ago the QB can count as one of your 7 NAT starters? That definitely increased the interest on making a NAT QB "work". Before that it was absolutely no "bonus" for you to start a NAT QB.
IMO QB is too important a position to worry much about Nat or non-Nat. You need to find the best player at the position, period. If it happens to be a Nat, that's a bonus, but its not worth enough to even consider starting an inferior QB.
Quote from: Jesse on March 04, 2026, 12:01:53 AMI think we care about all of our draft picks who are good enough to get NFL looks. We're also in the market for a young quarterback with his physical attributes.
Should we be intentionally uninterested because he's Canadian?
I wouldn't be any more interested in him than all the other QBs who are not quite good enough for the NFL, and totally unproven as of yet in the CFL. Some feel his history of playing the game in Canada gives him a leg up on other prospects, and it may temporarily. But ultimately, a QB will sink or swim based on what's above his shoulders, his ability to read a defense and make good timely decisions with the ball. If you don't have that, as we have seen with Ford, a lifetime of playing Canadian ball will not help you.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 04, 2026, 02:25:44 AMStarted a few games isn't what I call a starter.
What I'm saying is the chances of any Canadian QB, especially one who didn't have US coaching, becoming a starter in the CFL is remarkably slim. If he makes it he will be a unicorn, like Rourke.
Datillo had nearly 10,000 yards in passing. While there aren't many there were a few Canadian QB's.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 04, 2026, 02:25:44 AMStarted a few games isn't what I call a starter.
What I'm saying is the chances of any Canadian QB, especially one who didn't have US coaching, becoming a starter in the CFL is remarkably slim. If he makes it he will be a unicorn, like Rourke.
Better watch out, "cause the times they are a-changin'", in times past it would have been hard to believe Canadians could be the best players at their position, now it's not that unusual.
While NAT's are now playing non-traditional positions, they are the exception not the rule. Other that Rourke, there is no NAT in the league in any teams Qb room, and I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. No one other than a small group in Winnipeg, even has Elgersma on any Qb radar screen, and I really doubt that changes. I saw him play in the Vanier Cup and he didn't stand out at all, so I m not holding my breath on this guy at all
Quote from: dd on March 04, 2026, 09:57:27 PMWhile NAT's are now playing non-traditional positions, they are the exception not the rule. Other that Rourke, there is no NAT in the league in any teams Qb room, and I don't think that's going to change anytime soon. No one other than a small group in Winnipeg, even has Elgersma on any Qb radar screen, and I really doubt that changes. I saw him play in the Vanier Cup and he didn't stand out at all, so I m not holding my breath on this guy at all
Ford
Quote from: bunker on March 04, 2026, 12:05:21 PMIMO QB is too important a position to worry much about Nat or non-Nat. You need to find the best player at the position, period. If it happens to be a Nat, that's a bonus, but its not worth enough to even consider starting an inferior QB.
I don't know. NAT tips the scale a bit. Let's say you can pick from Alexander or Rourke. To me Alexander is better, but not by too much. So which QB do you hire? The question is made tough because Rourke is a NAT and lets you start, say, another IMP OL.
So, on the margin, being a NAT does alter the calculus.
Quote from: Tecno on March 05, 2026, 12:28:38 AMI don't know. NAT tips the scale a bit. Let's say you can pick from Alexander or Rourke. To me Alexander is better, but not by too much. So which QB do you hire? The question is made tough because Rourke is a NAT and lets you start, say, another IMP OL.
So, on the margin, being a NAT does alter the calculus.
I'd sign Rourke. But because I think he's the better QB, not because he's a Nat.
Would you have played Ford over Fahardo? You can start another American, sure, but meanwhile inferior QB play dooms your play off chances.
Quote from: bunker on March 05, 2026, 02:45:53 AMI'd sign Rourke. But because I think he's the better QB, not because he's a Nat.
Would you have played Ford over Fahardo? You can start another American, sure, but meanwhile inferior QB play dooms your play off chances.
Rourke -> Alexander
is not the same as
Ford -> Fajardo
Ford is a never-was and has never proven squat and likely never will. Rourke & Alexander are both future long-term superstars of the CFL. Fajardo is the perennial mediocre (see: Maier, Arbuckle).
If you want to use Ford in this analogy then compare him to say, Strev. Even that's not a good one because Strev is way better (has way more wins!). Maybe Ford to Crum. Nope... still not good, Crum has won more. LOL
Gemini said:
Since 1970, the CFL quarterback landscape has been a masterclass in the "Import Model," with Canadian-born talent serving as a rare anomaly.
1. CFL QB Demographic Breakdown (1970–2026)
The disparity between Canadian and American starters is one of the most significant statistical gaps in professional sports.
| Category | Canadian-Born (National) | American (Import) |
| Starts > 3 Games | ~14 | ~275 |
| "True" Starters (QB1) | 3 (Dattilio, Rourke, Ford) | ~158 |
| Percentage of True Starters | 1.86% | 98.14% |
Quote from: bluengold204 on March 04, 2026, 10:53:05 PMFord
Haha, good one, proves my point even better. Most would argue ford doesn't belong in any qb room but is there only because he's a NAT. If he was an import he'd be out on the street. That's hardly being the best at his position , I don't think he's in football a year from now and same will be said for elgersma.
Quote from: dd on March 05, 2026, 04:26:09 PMHaha, good one, proves my point even better. Most would argue ford doesn't belong in any qb room but is there only because he's a NAT. If he was an import he'd be out on the street. That's hardly being the best at his position , I don't think he's in football a year from now and same will be said for elgersma.
I'll take that bet.
Apparently Collaros has restructured his contract per Derek Taylor.
Quote from: bunker on March 06, 2026, 12:33:22 AMApparently Collaros has restructured his contract per Derek Taylor.
Tell us more! I'm a bit shocked, as it doesn't make sense at this juncture. The roster is pretty set. There are no more FAs. WPG has zero options at QB.
Even if all of a sudden Zach decides to be the nicest guy in the world to help the team, I'm not sure it can help the team NOW. 3 months ago, sure. But now it's too late? Unless KW went over budget and asked Zach to bail him out.
Of course... that's assuming we got Zach to go LOWER. Maybe Zach made them restructure HIGHER! :D :D :D
Quote from: dd on March 05, 2026, 04:26:09 PMHaha, good one, proves my point even better. Most would argue ford doesn't belong in any qb room but is there only because he's a NAT.
I'm not sure about that. C.Jones AR'd that Loxley(?) guy quite a bit, at QB and even other positions? Dude was very similar to Ford. Super athletic but can't seem to make it work at QB.
And he wasn't even a NAT!
Point being, that IMP had a roster spot, so why not Ford who has the benefit of basically being a free dress as a NAT.
What they should do is designate Ford as a non-QB, NAT, AR guy. That way they can still dev & dress 2 other real QB prospects.
Is it legal to field ZERO designated QBs for a play? Or does there always have to be 1+? Those plays where teams sneak with a TE or RB... is there a QB out wide? Or no QB?
Quote from: Tecno on March 06, 2026, 12:47:28 AMTell us more! I'm a bit shocked, as it doesn't make sense at this juncture. The roster is pretty set. There are no more FAs. WPG has zero options at QB.
Even if all of a sudden Zach decides to be the nicest guy in the world to help the team, I'm not sure it can help the team NOW. 3 months ago, sure. But now it's too late? Unless KW went over budget and asked Zach to bail him out.
Of course... that's assuming we got Zach to go LOWER. Maybe Zach made them restructure HIGHER! :D :D :D
Probably just re-arranged the numbers to better suit one side or the other, maybe they went wild and designated more of Zach's salary to the marketing budget.
Quote from: Tecno on March 06, 2026, 12:47:28 AMTell us more! I'm a bit shocked, as it doesn't make sense at this juncture. The roster is pretty set. There are no more FAs. WPG has zero options at QB.
Even if all of a sudden Zach decides to be the nicest guy in the world to help the team, I'm not sure it can help the team NOW. 3 months ago, sure. But now it's too late? Unless KW went over budget and asked Zach to bail him out.
Of course... that's assuming we got Zach to go LOWER. Maybe Zach made them restructure HIGHER! :D :D :D
This is all I've got:
"Bombers QB Zach Collaros has re-structured his contract, per the CFL transaction wire.
This is usually a cap move to convert money to guaranteed money and aid both the player and team.
Last May Collaros signed an extension through the 2026 season."
So I'm assuming salary got converted to bonus money, which is taxed less, allowing bombers to decrease the cap hit while Zach takes home the same money. Downside is if he's injured, and 6 gamed, we get less of a break on the cap. I believe Harris did the same for riders last year.
Zach Collaros restructures 2026 CFL contract with Winnipeg Blue Bombers
By Justin Dunk -March 6, 2026
Veteran quarterback Zach Collaros has agreed to a restructured contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, which saves the team $50,000 in salary cap space for the 2026 season, per sources.
Collaros received two separate $100,000 offseason bonuses as scheduled on January 1 and January 15. Under his old deal, he would have earned an additional $400,000 in base salary, bringing his total earnings to an even $600,000.
However, Collaros' new contract will now pay him $300,000 in base salary. That came with a $50,000 signing bonus, maxing out at $550,000 in hard money. The 13-year veteran remains the CFL's third-highest-paid QB behind Nathan Rourke at $684,000 and Chad Kelly at $625,000 for the upcoming campaign.
https://3downnation.com/2026/03/06/zach-collaros-restructures-2026-cfl-contract-with-winnipeg-blue-bombers/
Quote from: Tecno on March 06, 2026, 12:47:28 AMTell us more! I'm a bit shocked, as it doesn't make sense at this juncture. The roster is pretty set. There are no more FAs. WPG has zero options at QB.
Even if all of a sudden Zach decides to be the nicest guy in the world to help the team, I'm not sure it can help the team NOW. 3 months ago, sure. But now it's too late? Unless KW went over budget and asked Zach to bail him out.
Of course... that's assuming we got Zach to go LOWER. Maybe Zach made them restructure HIGHER! :D :D :D
I suppose that's a good idea but that means $250K in total in early money which goes against the SMS even if there is a long term injury etc.
There was no mention of marketing money which would help but perhaps that's part of the earlier and current deal.
I don't think this was done specifically to create more SMS room in free agency. Not many players left to consider at this point.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 06, 2026, 01:29:04 PMI suppose that's a good idea but that means $250K in total in early money which goes against the SMS even if there is a long term injury etc.
There was no mention of marketing money which would help but perhaps that's part of the earlier and current deal.
I don't think this was done specifically to create more SMS room in free agency. Not many players left to consider at this point.
More likely it was done to accommodate the salaries of people already signed.
Maybe that $50k was made up in part by marketing money.
$50k extra cap is great, $50k extra injury exposure not so much.
Maybe Collaro's off season training has given Walters encouragement as to him staying on the field more this year.
When you lose a player and have to eat cap, the big concern is how much his replacement is making. And his replacement's replacement. If our backup QB's don't have big game start incentives, especially the one that lands the #2 spot, then losing Collaro's bonuses in the IR is easier to swallow.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 06, 2026, 03:19:58 PMMaybe that $50k was made up in part by marketing money.
$50k extra cap is great, $50k extra injury exposure not so much.
Maybe Collaro's off season training has given Walters encouragement as to him staying on the field more this year.
When you lose a player and have to eat cap, the big concern is how much his replacement is making. And his replacement's replacement. If our backup QB's don't have big game start incentives, especially the one that lands the #2 spot, then losing Collaro's bonuses in the IR is easier to swallow.
Not likely.
3Down Nation normally mentions when marketing money is being paid out.
Quote from: gobombersgo on March 06, 2026, 06:05:09 PMNot likely.
3Down Nation normally mentions when marketing money is being paid out.
A players contract and the hit to the SMS for 2026 are all a little vague. Collaros may have already had marketing money tabbed in the original deal. He may have had ( probably did ) have early money applied to 2025 SMS ( $100K ).
It's too bad we don't see more transparency on salaries. It would be interesting.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 06, 2026, 06:12:18 PMA players contract and the hit to the SMS for 2026 are all a little vague. Collaros may have already had marketing money tabbed in the original deal. He may have had ( probably did ) have early money applied to 2025 SMS ( $100K ).
It's too bad we don't see more transparency on salaries. It would be interesting.
Being as he had 2 January bonuses, I doubt he had any of his salary in the 2025 SMS.
I'm surprised there isn't more kudos for Zach by us fans. This is amazing news that Zach did something (doesn't matter what) to save us $50k SMS. We see so many other QBs (and other players) doing that, and yet Zach basically stands pat.
So major kudos to Zach for helping us out! Top paid QBs who aren't producing like the top young stars, and get injured more often, need to "take one for the team" more often. Thanks Zach!
P.S.#1 Don't care if it still amounts to the same $ in Zach's pocket (due to bonus status, or MMM, or whatever), all that matters is he agrees to help out the SMS.
P.S.#2 I don't worry about the potential 6GIR impact, because Zach has never been on the 6G for us (right?). He gets knocked out sometimes (pun intended), but it's usually only for 1-3 games. I would predict that he continues along that trend... or gets hurt even less because now we'll give him a better OL.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 06, 2026, 01:29:04 PMI don't think this was done specifically to create more SMS room in free agency. Not many players left to consider at this point.
Well there has to be some reason, and I'd think it's to help 2026. Doesn't make much sense to screw around with this for '27 reasons (by making more space for Dec '26 early re-signs).
The other option, besides yet another FA pick, would be KW is already over, and this will help get us back in line. I wouldn't bet against this being reality. We were the drunkest of sailors this FA.
Quote from: Tecno on March 07, 2026, 06:15:33 AMWell there has to be some reason, and I'd think it's to help 2026. Doesn't make much sense to screw around with this for '27 reasons (by making more space for Dec '26 early re-signs).
The other option, besides yet another FA pick, would be KW is already over, and this will help get us back in line. I wouldn't bet against this being reality. We were the drunkest of sailors this FA.
Any savings are useful, could go towards 1 game IR management of valuable prospects or towards re-upping contracts at the end of the season. As for praising Zach for cooperating, he hasn't taken a salary cut like other older QB's in his pier group, so it's no skin off his nose, he's still the 2nd highest paid QB in the league with arguably the 5th or 6th best performance.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 06, 2026, 10:52:41 PMBeing as he had 2 January bonuses, I doubt he had any of his salary in the 2025 SMS.
Scheduled for Jan 2 doesn't mean they didn't pay it Dec 31.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 07, 2026, 02:11:44 PMScheduled for Jan 2 doesn't mean they didn't pay it Dec 31.
You're reaching. Jan 2 most likely means exactly that.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 07, 2026, 02:59:01 PMYou're reaching. Jan 2 most likely means exactly that.
Not reaching at all. Jan 2 would be the latest and possible date of the payment. OTOH, if SMS money was available there would be nothing to prevent a Dec 31 payment.
From a business point of view, why wouldn't the Bombers do that to take the advantage. Whether a given player would want money shifted to 2025 instead of 2026 may be a tax issue where they might decline. Hard to say with certainty.
Bombers already had re-signed some top players with signing money involved so they may have spent the remainder already.
I think you just like to be argumentative. I guess you've never paid a personal or business bill a few days early?
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 07, 2026, 02:11:44 PMScheduled for Jan 2 doesn't mean they didn't pay it Dec 31.
I'm betting that's exactly what it means.
When it comes to Zach's contract, it doesn't matter weather he freed up 50k now or before FA started because none of this money has been paid out yet. We don't have to be cap compliant until December 31st.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 07, 2026, 03:19:10 PMNot reaching at all. Jan 2 would be the latest and possible date of the payment. OTOH, if SMS money was available there would be nothing to prevent a Dec 31 payment.
From a business point of view, why wouldn't the Bombers do that to take the advantage. Whether a given player would want money shifted to 2025 instead of 2026 may be a tax issue where they might decline. Hard to say with certainty.
Bombers already had re-signed some top players with signing money involved so they may have spent the remainder already.
I think you just like to be argumentative. I guess you've never paid a personal or business bill a few days early?
Not being argumentative, being accurate. You have a theory that you believe in, so you look for any opportunity, no matter how much of a reach it is, to bring your theory up.
From a business point of view... wait a minute... it doesn't matter unless there actually was 2025 SMS money left at the end of December. As I've said before, prove there was or shut up about it.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 07, 2026, 08:57:49 PMNot being argumentative, being accurate. You have a theory that you believe in, so you look for any opportunity, no matter how much of a reach it is, to bring your theory up.
From a business point of view... wait a minute... it doesn't matter unless there actually was 2025 SMS money left at the end of December. As I've said before, prove there was or shut up about it.
Yours is just a theory as well which you can't prove. I said that is money was left at the end of 2025 it would have been possible to pay it early by a few days. That's a reasonable argument. I never said it was a fact so what is it I have to prove?
It's a fact that every team will try to spend any remaining SMS to their advantage.
Whether there was any balance left is the only thing that is not a fact that is known. In the same way we don't know whether there was any MM in his contract that could reduce his SMS hit in 2026.
Do I have to prove another obvious possibility?
As far as telling me to shut up. Well you know what goes around comes around.
Quote from: Jesse on March 07, 2026, 05:20:26 PMWhen it comes to Zach's contract, it doesn't matter weather he freed up 50k now or before FA started because none of this money has been paid out yet. We don't have to be cap compliant until December 31st.
Ugh, this again. I won't even argue any more. You have a strange way of looking at it, and I'm fine with that after 2+ years of arguing about SMS calcs.
But your statement makes it sound like they could hire 45 FA's at $250k right now and no one can say boo about the cap because in your mind it's not "real" until the season is over. What I'm saying is there's something called estimations, budgeting, and planning.
You would make a wild GM! Very entertaining.
Jesse: Schrodinger's cap. It can't be known if it's over or under until someone looks at it on Dec 31.
His stats are pretty good. What's his problem, drugs, I Q?
Quote from: Tecno on March 06, 2026, 12:51:39 AMIs it legal to field ZERO designated QBs for a play? Or does there always have to be 1+? Those plays where teams sneak with a TE or RB... is there a QB out wide? Or no QB?
Team A is required to have at least 1 designated QB or kicker on the field for each play (max 2).
Yes there is a designated QB on the field when a position player is under centre for a sneak play.
Quote from: Tecno on March 07, 2026, 11:41:05 PMJesse: Schrodinger's cap. It can't be known if it's over or under until someone looks at it on Dec 31.
In regards to the cap - did it make any difference if they submitted the paperwork for Zach's restructure now or before FA?
Especially if Walters had already planned for this, and we only just heard about it?
Quote from: Jesse on March 08, 2026, 11:11:34 AMIn regards to the cap - did it make any difference if they submitted the paperwork for Zach's restructure now or before FA?
Especially if Walters had already planned for this, and we only just heard about it?
It would all fall into the 2026 SMS in either case when done this year. I'm still waiting to see if any teams went over for 2025 after late notice on the increase. It did seem teams tried to use any balance before the end of the year with re-signings.
Some may have still gone over but that's all TBD. It would seem that would have created more room in the 2026 SMS as a result. There were many players that got significant increases across the league before the end of the season.
When free agency hit, it was a spending frenzy. Regardless teams budget accordingly on money available and still leave some room for the unexpected during the season.
Let's pretend that we gave Collaros his bonuses as a Christmas present. That doesn't mean the money was in the 2025 SMS.
It's likely that there was 2025 SMS money left over. It's also likely that there is SMS money left over every year for most teams. Is it a fact that there was lots left? Nope. It's a theory being floated as a fact.
When they submitted the paperwork doesn't matter. What matters is if there was still any 2025 SMS money left.
Signing's before the end of last year may or may not have had any money in the 2025 SMS.
It doesn't matter if any teams went over the 2025 SMS.
Lots of players got paid this year, I'd say more than in the past, but that doesn't mean there was a ton of 2025 SMS money left. At least part of the reason is that the SMS went up significantly last year after free agency ( $412,365 ) and then went up again this year ( $218,149 ) before free agency, giving teams significantly more money ( $630k ) to work with.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 08, 2026, 02:56:53 PMLet's pretend that we gave Collaros his bonuses as a Christmas present. That doesn't mean the money was in the 2025 SMS.
It's likely that there was 2025 SMS money left over. It's also likely that there is SMS money left over every year for most teams. Is it a fact that there was lots left? Nope. It's a theory being floated as a fact.
When they submitted the paperwork doesn't matter. What matters is if there was still any 2025 SMS money left.
Signing's before the end of last year may or may not have had any money in the 2025 SMS.
It doesn't matter if any teams went over the 2025 SMS.
Lots of players got paid this year, I'd say more than in the past, but that doesn't mean there was a ton of 2025 SMS money left. At least part of the reason is that the SMS went up significantly last year after free agency ( $412,365 ) and then went up again this year ( $218,149 ) before free agency, giving teams significantly more money ( $630k ) to work with.
It is a fact that if money was paid before the end of 2025 then it came out of the 2025 SMS. We may not know the details of all early re-signings but that part of the equation is part of the how SMS spend is calculated.
In several instances re-signing bonus money was mentioned. It's reasonable to believe it came out of 2025 SMS. That's not a theory, that's what we see at the end of every season.
Now as re-signing occur closer to the end of the year, it's reasonable to believe that there is little SMS available and bonus money may be put forward into 2026 SMS. It's not in any teams benefit to leave a substantial amount of SMS unused.
The accounting is simple. Teams know how much money was spent at the end of the playing season. It's just payroll. By that calculation they know if there is SMS still available.
As each new contract is completed, any early money is deducted from that excess. Teams may choose to exceed the SMS and pay a fine. It's not a surprise to them.
We'll see if any or how many teams go over the 2025 SMS. If none or few went over that would suggest those that didn't go over had some unspent SMS. That is the definition of not exceeding the cap. The excess is more than likely to be very small.
That's more transparency it would be nice to see over and above the " over SMS " number. If a team didn't go over, then they were under.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 08, 2026, 04:37:05 PMIt is a fact that if money was paid before the end of 2025 then it came out of the 2025 SMS. We may not know the details of all early re-signings but that part of the equation is part of the how SMS spend is calculated.
In several instances re-signing bonus money was mentioned. It's reasonable to believe it came out of 2025 SMS. That's not a theory, that's what we see at the end of every season.
Now as re-signing occur closer to the end of the year, it's reasonable to believe that there is little SMS available and bonus money may be put forward into 2026 SMS. It's not in any teams benefit to leave a substantial amount of SMS unused.
The accounting is simple. Teams know how much money was spent at the end of the playing season. It's just payroll. By that calculation they know if there is SMS still available.
As each new contract is completed, any early money is deducted from that excess. Teams may choose to exceed the SMS and pay a fine. It's not a surprise to them.
We'll see if any or how many teams go over the 2025 SMS. If none or few went over that would suggest those that didn't go over had some unspent SMS. That is the definition of not exceeding the cap. The excess is more than likely to be very small.
That's more transparency it would be nice to see over and above the " over SMS " number. If a team didn't go over, then they were under.
It doesn't make sense to leave any SMS in the pot from the previous year and I can't see Walters not making sure he spends it all as he doesn't have a lot else to focus on at the end of the season. As for Zach's bonus payment on Jan. 2nd likely the first expense marked on the ledger of the new season, nobody fretting if they can cover it or not, they have fresh bountiful cash to spend.
Winnipeg an deal with $SMS different than most teams, because we make money, it's just $$$. Some teams actually want to stay under for budgetary reasons...
Not saying that any team is going to spend to the $SMS basement, but here $$$ are not an issue beyond the cap we have to stay under.
There you go stating your opinion as a fact when it's not. Just because the contract was signed in 2025 doesn't mean the money comes from 2025 money. Ask Milt, who got paid at least one year (it might have been more) after he retired due to the way his contract was set up.
It's reasonable to believe that remaining SMS money would be used before 2026 money, but that's not the same as what you're saying.
Bonuses paid in 2025 could be from the 2025 or 2026 SMS. Money paid in 2026 could be in any SMS going forward, but not in the 2025 or before SMS. The same goes for salaries, but quite frankly, I can't see any reason that a player would get a salary other than bonuses paid out before the end of the year.
You keep bringing up going over the SMS as if it's some 'gotcha.' It's not. If any team went over the SMS, it's because they either chose to or were forced to because of injury replacements. It has nothing to do with the number of remaining 2025 SMS $.
(https://jpellegrino.com/images/reflogic/echochamber.jpg)
Quote from: theaardvark on March 08, 2026, 07:31:55 PMWinnipeg an deal with $SMS different than most teams, because we make money, it's just $$$. Some teams actually want to stay under for budgetary reasons...
Not saying that any team is going to spend to the $SMS basement, but here $$$ are not an issue beyond the cap we have to stay under.
I dont think thats the case at all.
Teams that are losing money will look to trim their budgets in areas other than the SMS.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 08, 2026, 08:19:00 PMThere you go stating your opinion as a fact when it's not. Just because the contract was signed in 2025 doesn't mean the money comes from 2025 money. Ask Milt, who got paid at least one year (it might have been more) after he retired due to the way his contract was set up.
It's reasonable to believe that remaining SMS money would be used before 2026 money, but that's not the same as what you're saying.
Bonuses paid in 2025 could be from the 2025 or 2026 SMS. Money paid in 2026 could be in any SMS going forward, but not in the 2025 or before SMS. The same goes for salaries, but quite frankly, I can't see any reason that a player would get a salary other than bonuses paid out before the end of the year.
You keep bringing up going over the SMS as if it's some 'gotcha.' It's not. If any team went over the SMS, it's because they either chose to or were forced to because of injury replacements. It has nothing to do with the number of remaining 2025 SMS $.
(https://jpellegrino.com/images/reflogic/echochamber.jpg)
Not correct at any level. WOW. Talk about theories? Money PAID IN 2025 is against the 2025 SMS. If it wasn't then the SMS has no meaning and defies how it's calculated.
Nobody said anything suggesting anything besides a bonus might be applied to the 2025 SMS. Salary falls to 2026 SMS. That's pretty obvious.
Quote from: gobombersgo on March 08, 2026, 08:36:45 PMI dont think thats the case at all.
Teams that are losing money will look to trim their budgets in areas other than the SMS.
If we saw the amount spent for each team we'd know where teams spending fell. Just seeing the " over " only tells part of the story.
We hear most teams are not profitable but how accurate is that since many teams are private. All we hear is the community owned teams information regarding profit.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 08, 2026, 09:32:22 PMNot correct at any level. WOW. Talk about theories? Money PAID IN 2025 is against the 2025 SMS. If it wasn't then the SMS has no meaning and defies how it's calculated.
Actually, unless someone finds the secret rule book governing SMS spend then we don't REALLY know who is right.
I run a business. I'm using accrual method of accounting, as most businesses do. If CFL works like accrual, then when the cheque goes out has nothing to do with the "invoice date" (or "deal date" in CFL).
Now, if CFL runs like the alternative "cash method" system then yes, the day the cheque is cut is the date that will apply.
Unless someone has inside baseball on this, we are left guessing. From the way all forums and 3down talks, one would guess it's more like "cash method", but we can't know for sure. The rules governing the SMS would spell all this out. Are those rules public??
Scope: The cap applies to player compensation (salaries, bonuses) from Jan 1 to Dec 31. It does not include coaching salaries. The same article mentioned the " floor " was $600K below the " ceiling ". That's a fairly significant gap. Also mentioned that teams were audited at 6, 12 and 18 games.
Noting I did not say it was paid early. I only said that if money was available, then there was a possibility it was paid early. I also said I doubted the team would have that significant amount left in the last week of 2025.
Anyway the lack of transparency is why we have these conversations.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 08, 2026, 09:32:22 PMNot correct at any level. WOW. Talk about theories? Money PAID IN 2025 is against the 2025 SMS. If it wasn't then the SMS has no meaning and defies how it's calculated.
You're saying that we would have to have enough 2025 SMS room for every bonus you paid out before the end of the year. You also say that we use up the 2025 SMS before using the 2026 SMS (which I believe is true). Are you suggesting that some, most, or all of the bonuses paid after we drained the 2025 SMS are actually paid in January so they are included in the 2026 SMS? If so, then the date on the contract really doesn't matter.
Quote from: TBURGESS on March 09, 2026, 01:21:54 PMYou're saying that we would have to have enough 2025 SMS room for every bonus you paid out before the end of the year. You also say that we use up the 2025 SMS before using the 2026 SMS (which I believe is true). Are you suggesting that some, most, or all of the bonuses paid after we drained the 2025 SMS are actually paid in January so they are included in the 2026 SMS? If so, then the date on the contract really doesn't matter.
I didn't say anything close to that. I said we'd use as much as we could by the end of the calendar year. Any bonus paid before 12/31 was 2025 SMS and any bonus paid on or after Jan 1 was 2026 SMS.
The guide would be the date of the cheque even if that meant exceeding the 2025 SMS by some amount.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 09, 2026, 02:14:26 PMI didn't say anything close to that. I said we'd use as much as we could by the end of the calendar year. Any bonus paid before 12/31 was 2025 SMS and any bonus paid on or after Jan 1 was 2026 SMS.
The guide would be the date of the cheque even if that meant exceeding the 2025 SMS by some amount.
To be clear. The fact that contracts were announced in 2025 doesn't mean that they are using any 2025 SMS.
QB Chase Artopoeous retires after 1 season in the CFL.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 11, 2026, 12:27:25 PMQB Chase Artopoeous retires after 1 season in the CFL.
I hate that, guess he realized he was just wasting his time. The Bombers are the worst at bringing along QB talent, every year it's a new shot in the dark.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 11, 2026, 01:28:09 PMI hate that, guess he realized he was just wasting his time. The Bombers are the worst at bringing along QB talent, every year it's a new shot in the dark.
Yeah, QB is the toughest spot to show enough early to survive long in the CFL. At this point I'm not even sure Wilson lasts this season. He could be anything from the # 2 QB to cut before TC. Going into the season with 2 rookies is not optimum but it's all TBD.
I have some hope about Perkins but I could say that about a new QB every season. lol
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 11, 2026, 12:27:25 PMQB Chase Artopoeous retires after 1 season in the CFL.
Here's the article.
https://3downnation.com/2026/03/11/winnipeg-blue-bombers-qb-chase-artopoeus-retires-from-cfl/
And then there were 4.
MBT is available, if we get really desperate.
I guess college coaching has a much more lucrative future than trying to break into CFL QB'ing...
Was looking forward to the Chase this year, but there are a lot of arms coming to camp, and on our neg list..
Quote from: peg_city on March 11, 2026, 03:34:21 PMAnd then there were 4.
MBT is available, if we get really desperate.
No, please no. Mid season if there are no other options, maybe. But to vie for the future starter/current backup role?
Just no.
Quote from: peg_city on March 11, 2026, 03:34:21 PMAnd then there were 4.
MBT is available, if we get really desperate.
They won't want to spend that much, they'll lure Shea Patterson back or give Streveler one more crack at the cat. All the same, in the end they have nothing behind Collaros.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 11, 2026, 02:04:17 PMYeah, QB is the toughest spot to show enough early to survive long in the CFL. At this point I'm not even sure Wilson lasts this season. He could be anything from the # 2 QB to cut before TC. Going into the season with 2 rookies is not optimum but it's all TBD.
I have some hope about Perkins but I could say that about a new QB every season. lol
Agree on Perkins, his past success shows he s got what it takes to play pro football, Wilson would be our SY Qb only
I didn't expect either Artopoeous or Wilson to survive training camp. Walters has already suggested they'll add a vet QB if Elgersma doesn't come up North. They have Perkins to be a SY prospect and Thorne to sit on the PR.
Quote from: dd on March 11, 2026, 04:29:35 PMAgree on Perkins, his past success shows he s got what it takes to play pro football, Wilson would be our SY Qb only
If the roster were set today, I'd agree.
But we hope to see others come to camp, with the ability to compete, if not for #2, then for #3/SY.
Winnipeg Blue Bombers QB Chase Artopoeus retires from CFL - 3DownNation https://share.google/dTmQjh84dsccq7zNM
Quote from: theaardvark on March 11, 2026, 03:35:57 PMI guess college coaching has a much more lucrative future than trying to break into CFL QB'ing...
Was looking forward to the Chase this year, but there are a lot of arms coming to camp, and on our neg list..
No, please no. Mid season if there are no other options, maybe. But to vie for the future starter/current backup role?
Just no.
It would be the latter and not the former.
I'm not a fan of MBT but I don't hate the idea of having a proven vet to try and salvage our season if Collaros goes down in what is probably his last year of football.
That said, we need to have a real prospect as #2/3 to get some snaps and give us a look into the future.
dont sleep on this guy, he has an arm - Peyton Thorne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llz7dXhbBcs
Quote from: Pete on March 11, 2026, 08:04:11 PMdont sleep on this guy, he has an arm - Peyton Thorne
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=llz7dXhbBcs
Ya, both Perkins and Thorne have decent highlight reels, both seem better options than Wilson or Strev, but interested to see how they do when they re playing against pro defenders, add another defender on the field, and the recievers have motion, still they looking promising
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 11, 2026, 04:26:55 PMThey won't want to spend that much, they'll lure Shea Patterson back or give Streveler one more crack at the cat.
Uh, the loser who singlehandedly lost MTL the GC a couple of months ago in front of all of us @PAS? Ya, not only do I never want to see him in WPG again, I don't think any team
should will sign him.
But I hope they treat him real nice in SSK, free beers & food & such. He did them a real solid...
Quote from: Jesse on March 11, 2026, 04:35:06 PMI didn't expect either Artopoeous or Wilson to survive training camp. Walters has already suggested they'll add a vet QB if Elgersma doesn't come up North. They have Perkins to be a SY prospect and Thorne to sit on the PR.
I recall no such suggestion. I may need a citation/quote to believe that one. I watch all WFC pressers.
Of course, it goes without saying, that everyone knows if Zach goes 6G that we'll be on the market for a "real" QB (couch sitter, trade bait, whatever). That's not the same as saying we'll be hiring, before week 1, a non-ELC QB, let alone a "super backup" (MBT/Maier/Arbuckle/etc). And I don't think Elgersma has anything to do with it, other than being fortuitous gravy should he show up to camp.
There is simply no money.
Quote from: Tecno on March 12, 2026, 03:32:08 AMI recall no such suggestion. I may need a citation/quote to believe that one. I watch all WFC pressers.
Of course, it goes without saying, that everyone knows if Zach goes 6G that we'll be on the market for a "real" QB (couch sitter, trade bait, whatever). That's not the same as saying we'll be hiring, before week 1, a non-ELC QB, let alone a "super backup" (MBT/Maier/Arbuckle/etc). And I don't think Elgersma has anything to do with it, other than being fortuitous gravy should he show up to camp.
There is simply no money.
If we do not have the "heir apparent" on the opening day roster, ready to take the reins should Zach go 6G, then we might as well just quit.
Now, should Zach AND our chosen QB2 BOTH get 6G, then yes, call the guys on the sofas. Until then, if QB1 goes down, QB2 - QB1, QB3 - QB2, and PRQB - QB3. Just like the Streveler/Wilson/Chase QB room last year.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 12, 2026, 02:33:56 PMIf we do not have the "heir apparent" on the opening day roster, ready to take the reins should Zach go 6G, then we might as well just quit.
Now, should Zach AND our chosen QB2 BOTH get 6G, then yes, call the guys on the sofas. Until then, if QB1 goes down, QB2 - QB1, QB3 - QB2, and PRQB - QB3. Just like the Streveler/Wilson/Chase QB room last year.
Well it's a good theory. We've been trying to do that since Brown left. Most of us never thought that Streveler was the heir apparent.
So what do we have today in the wings? That's the giant question we can't answer at the moment. There is a certain level of optimism about the newbies.
There aren't really any CFL free agent QB's that fit the role beyond emergency band-aid solutions.
Time for the recruitment team to have success with those brought in. History has not been good at finding QB's for the Bombers.
The reality is that we won't know what we have until Collaros misses games due to injury. Our back ups don't get much playing time.
Quote from: Tecno on March 12, 2026, 03:32:08 AMI recall no such suggestion. I may need a citation/quote to believe that one. I watch all WFC pressers.
Of course, it goes without saying, that everyone knows if Zach goes 6G that we'll be on the market for a "real" QB (couch sitter, trade bait, whatever). That's not the same as saying we'll be hiring, before week 1, a non-ELC QB, let alone a "super backup" (MBT/Maier/Arbuckle/etc). And I don't think Elgersma has anything to do with it, other than being fortuitous gravy should he show up to camp.
There is simply no money.
I'm not going to go back and witch the pressers again for the quote, but a reporter asked him if we were going to sign a vet QB and Walters' reply was something along the lines of waiting as long as possible for Elgersma and going down that route if we need to.
Quote from: Jesse on March 12, 2026, 04:20:17 PMI'm not going to go back and witch the pressers again for the quote, but a reporter asked him if we were going to sign a vet QB and Walters' reply was something along the lines of waiting as long as possible for Elgersma and going down that route if we need to.
Seems like you're onto something,
@Jesse. From the Feb. 12 presser.
I can't link the timestamp using the YouTube link feature, but that topic is covered at the 21:42 mark:
YouTube Link (https://youtu.be/BUSCa0meTWA?si=zhAJFoWxByUIIVLp&t=1302)
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 12, 2026, 03:19:51 PMWell it's a good theory. We've been trying to do that since Brown left. Most of us never thought that Streveler was the heir apparent.
So what do we have today in the wings? That's the giant question we can't answer at the moment. There is a certain level of optimism about the newbies.
There aren't really any CFL free agent QB's that fit the role beyond emergency band-aid solutions.
Time for the recruitment team to have success with those brought in. History has not been good at finding QB's for the Bombers.
The reality is that we won't know what we have until Collaros misses games due to injury. Our back ups don't get much playing time.
If Zach goes down for a few games or a longer spell, I think it's obvious they'll lose games they should have won, hopefully not enough to miss the playoffs but that is a real possibility without a proven backup. As awkward as Strev looked as a starting QB he has to be congratulated for adding to the W total in the games he played, standard expectation is for a good team to win 50% of games using their backup QB. If the backup is in his first year, the winning percentage could drop to near zero.
Any of these available FA QB's have the potential to do better based on their experience in the league and their understanding of the game.
Tyrie Adams
Logan Bonner
Caleb Evans
Shea Patterson
MBT
Masoli
Quote from: Tecno on March 12, 2026, 03:28:49 AMUh, the loser who singlehandedly lost MTL the GC a couple of months ago in front of all of us @PAS? Ya, not only do I never want to see him in WPG again, I don't think any team should will sign him.
But I hope they treat him real nice in SSK, free beers & food & such. He did them a real solid...
You could equally point the finger at Brady for fumbling the ball in the ESF but you have to expect, in football sometimes bad things happen.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 12, 2026, 04:51:22 PMYou could equally point the finger at Brady for fumbling the ball in the ESF...
This is some really weird and unnecessary whataboutism.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on March 12, 2026, 04:56:31 PMThis is some really weird and unnecessary whataboutism.
That's my point, both fumbles were accidents.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 12, 2026, 02:33:56 PMIf we do not have the "heir apparent" on the opening day roster, ready to take the reins should Zach go 6G, then we might as well just quit.
Well, I guess we'll just quit then.
I always want to be excited about the newbie QBs we sign and 90% of the time they're a disappointment. It's pretty much always been that way so other than a hope and a prayer, we really have no way of knowing if we have now or will ever have this year the "heir apparent".
Would Cameron Dukes be worth a look? He showed some flashes during his time with the Argos.
Quote from: blue_or_die on March 12, 2026, 05:57:16 PMWell, I guess we'll just quit then.
I always want to be excited about the newbie QBs we sign and 90% of the time they're a disappointment. It's pretty much always been that way so other than a hope and a prayer, we really have no way of knowing if we have now or will ever have this year the "heir apparent".
I hear what you're saying regarding newbie Qb's and I don't see that changing. I really doubt we have an heir apparent on our roster this year, there's only so many starting Qb's out there in the league and our heir apparent will come via Free Agency
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 12, 2026, 04:51:22 PMYou could equally point the finger at Brady for fumbling the ball in the ESF but you have to expect, in football sometimes bad things happen.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 12, 2026, 05:03:34 PMThat's my point, both fumbles were accidents.
The difference was that Brady fumbled with plenty of time left. Patterson fumbled very late in the game, such that it forced MTL into a panic final drive.
At PAS I looked around to all the guys around me and we all agreed that was game when it happened.
The Brady one did stink, and I say that was 50% what caused us to lose, but it wasn't insurmountable. The main thing Brady did was cost us all that momo. We had all the juice at that moment and could have driven a stake into MTL's heart. The crowd was REALLY bummed out at that point. They all thought they'd lose.
The Patterson fumble and subsequent decent return and good punt to pin MTL was basically death with a QB who can't move and no time left.
As for "accidents": if I put my tinfoil hat on, there's a non-zero (but not high) chance Patterson took a payoff well before that game to make sure he botched any important SY play. Patterson was Green longer than he was any other color...
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on March 12, 2026, 04:40:05 PMSeems like you're onto something, @Jesse. From the Feb. 12 presser.
I can't link the timestamp using the YouTube link feature, but that topic is covered at the 21:42 mark:
Ya, that's it. Thanks for digging that up. The "ya" he says isn't "yes we are doing this", it's more a "hmmmmm" vocalization.
Also, the "when the Elgersma thing is settled" is meaningless because is it settled now? Will it be settled in a month? 6 months? No one knows poop, not even Elgersma.
I also read into it more of "we'll examine our options then", not "we'll for sure hire a vet QB to be #2 at that time". Plus, now FA is all done and all the quality guys are taken, there's really nothing to do other than comb the scrap heap or eye trades.
And
if KW was saying "once Elgersma is settled we'll move"... well, I guess some could say it is settled (thought it's not) because didn't he sign in XFL or whatever? And yet no moves on QBs.
Nah, the QB thing we're doing is clearly this:
- see what we have in all the new arms coming to TC
- see what Strev's rehab is looking like
- wait another year for Elgersma
- panic sign a couch/trade if Zach 6G's
Basically the same as always. We're surprised at this point?
Quote from: theaardvark on March 12, 2026, 02:33:56 PMIf we do not have the "heir apparent" on the opening day roster, ready to take the reins should Zach go 6G, then we might as well just quit.
Has Zach ever spent a whole 6G on the 6G when here? I don't think so? This is a track record over 5 seasons now. Why not assume it continues?
Most I recall him doing is taking a head/neck whack and taking a couple/few games off. Usually only 1-2 games, but that one time I think 4?
Personally, I'm not worried at all. If it comes to it, we'll pull-another-Zach and splash trade for Powell or something.
Quote from: Tecno on March 13, 2026, 08:14:00 AMHas Zach ever spent a whole 6G on the 6G when here? I don't think so? This is a track record over 5 seasons now. Why not assume it continues?
Most I recall him doing is taking a head/neck whack and taking a couple/few games off. Usually only 1-2 games, but that one time I think 4?
Personally, I'm not worried at all. If it comes to it, we'll pull-another-Zach and splash trade for Powell or something.
Yes, 2019 the year he joined the Bombers after early season injury in Regina. He has been more suspect in getting shorter term injuries that seem to be accumulating. IIRC he was bumped out of 3 games in 2025 and missed 1 complete game in concussion protocol. Overall he only played in 13 games which included that 1st game suspension. Still he's not getting any younger. It's going to depend on the quality of our new OL.
Speculating on getting a replacement in trade is never an easy spot to be in. Teams may not want to trade. When a significant injury happens may be past trade deadline and many other reasons. Dropping in a new QB mid season not likely so save our bacon.
While I wouldn't want Masoli he's probably the most experienced and readily available coming off the coach.
Quote from: Tecno on March 13, 2026, 08:11:02 AMYa, that's it. Thanks for digging that up. The "ya" he says isn't "yes we are doing this", it's more a "hmmmmm" vocalization.
Also, the "when the Elgersma thing is settled" is meaningless because is it settled now? Will it be settled in a month? 6 months? No one knows poop, not even Elgersma.
I also read into it more of "we'll examine our options then", not "we'll for sure hire a vet QB to be #2 at that time". Plus, now FA is all done and all the quality guys are taken, there's really nothing to do other than comb the scrap heap or eye trades.
And if KW was saying "once Elgersma is settled we'll move"... well, I guess some could say it is settled (thought it's not) because didn't he sign in XFL or whatever? And yet no moves on QBs.
Nah, the QB thing we're doing is clearly this:
- see what we have in all the new arms coming to TC
- see what Strev's rehab is looking like
- wait another year for Elgersma
- panic sign a couch/trade if Zach 6G's
Basically the same as always. We're surprised at this point?
A good coach of mine told our team years ago, I can only coach the players that show up, and I can't do anything about or spend a second worrying about those who don't. I am totally done with this Elgersma talk/dreaming going on, if the guy shows up, fine, if not, that's fine too, but quit all the talk about someone who isn't here and isn't likely to show up anytime soon. Its useless, focus on the guys who are here.
Quote from: dd on March 14, 2026, 01:49:22 AMA good coach of mine told our team years ago, I can only coach the players that show up, and I can't do anything about or spend a second worrying about those who don't.
Great post. Ya, as MOS always says "don't worry about what you can't control".
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 13, 2026, 12:34:54 PMYes, 2019 the year he joined the Bombers after early season injury in Regina. He has been more suspect in getting shorter term injuries that seem to be accumulating. IIRC he was bumped out of 3 games in 2025 and missed 1 complete game in concussion protocol. Overall he only played in 13 games which included that 1st game suspension.
Ya, but 2019 he wasn't here, doesn't count. My point still stands. His track record of starting the vast majority of games for WPG is pretty amazing. If he missed only 4 due to injury in '25, then that's pretty darn good too, especially with all the punishment his weak OL foisted on him.
The main problem with Zach is if he takes
any hit that wobbles his noggin they will pull him for the rest of the game. So what we could really use is a "closer" QB who can excel at playing 1Q. (Dru was great at this when here.)
Quote from: Tecno on March 14, 2026, 08:41:32 AMYa, but 2019 he wasn't here, doesn't count. My point still stands. His track record of starting the vast majority of games for WPG is pretty amazing. If he missed only 4 due to injury in '25, then that's pretty darn good too, especially with all the punishment his weak OL foisted on him.
The main problem with Zach is if he takes any hit that wobbles his noggin they will pull him for the rest of the game. So what we could really use is a "closer" QB who can excel at playing 1Q. (Dru was great at this when here.)
Sure but I'm looking at 2025 as the most critical info. He took a beating last year and the team takes a more cautious and necessary approach to pulling him after a hit. Obviously an improved OL and game plan would help.
All that said I think it's predictable that he's going to miss time. How much I don't know but we know that concussion issues are cumulative. You are correct in your analysis.
Fingers are crossed we have a good # 2 in one of the rookies. Chances are he's going to see the field at some point.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 14, 2026, 01:23:35 PMFingers are crossed we have a good # 2 in one of the rookies. Chances are he's going to see the field at some point.
With Chase gone, strangely enough, assuming Strev isn't ready or re-signed, Wilson will likely be safe in his job. He's a ready SY guy (which we don't have otherwise), and he's the only guy with years of 3-down ball under his belt. And you gotta believe he can read a CFL D better than any rookie, having been steeped in it for like 3 years now.
The only fly in the ointment would be Elgersma. Or if we do a late vet-backup pickup. And if that doesn't happen, I could really see us still eyeing Strev after his 9+ month recovery.
Yes, none of this is ideal.
Quote from: Tecno on March 14, 2026, 01:58:31 PMWith Chase gone, strangely enough, assuming Strev isn't ready or re-signed, Wilson will likely be safe in his job. He's a ready SY guy (which we don't have otherwise), and he's the only guy with years of 3-down ball under his belt. And you gotta believe he can read a CFL D better than any rookie, having been steeped in it for like 3 years now.
The only fly in the ointment would be Elgersma. Or if we do a late vet-backup pickup. And if that doesn't happen, I could really see us still eyeing Strev after his 9+ month recovery.
Yes, none of this is ideal.
I don't know about that. Wilson has only 21 pass attempts. Perkins was MVP in the UFL and had more recent playing time. He was also a good runner.
Now if Perkins ends up as our # 2 QB then Wilson may be safe. I'm not so sure he's kept around just to do that if he's not the development QB.
Thorne spent three seasons at Michigan State before transferring to Auburn. At Auburn he threw for 4,468 yards and 37 touchdowns and rushed for 798 yards and five touchdowns in 22 starts. During his college career he recorded 10,961 passing yards and 86 touchdowns, along with 1,068 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in 53 games (46 starts).
I could see Thorne making a bid to be the # 3 QB. Played at good US colleges. Seems more impressive back ground than Wilson.
Having 2 QB's with no CFL experience has to be a concern though.
Quote from: Tecno on March 14, 2026, 08:36:46 AMGreat post. Ya, as MOS always says "don't worry about what you can't control".
Exactly, I m all for discussing Thome or Perkins or Wilson —the guys we have in our locker room, and who cares about those who aren't
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 14, 2026, 03:03:52 PMI don't know about that. Wilson has only 21 pass attempts. Perkins was MVP in the UFL and had more recent playing time. He was also a good runner.
Perkins/Thorne are still 3-down virgins. I'm sure Wilson also had some pedigree before he first signed here. Doesn't really mean anything.
Zillions of promising USA U QBs pass through the CFL. 99% suck like Brohm. You can't pin your hopes on any rookie IMP QB because there's literally no way to tell anything until they get live snaps.
And don't sleep on my point about SY. Still need a guy who can 99% get us 3rd & 1. Can you tell that in TC with a rookie? Maybe? It's not easy or guaranteed, but it should be easier to tell than "can they play 3-down CFL ball".
It's all clear as mud, and we may have to take a couple of risky gambles and hope for the best. Wilson does make a nice security blanket though, especially if no Strev. Be nice if we could find a way to keep him in the bullpen... PR or on the couch with his phone programmed to block all other teams. MTL, for instance, would like a more reliable SY guy after that Patterson boondoogle.
Quote from: Tecno on March 14, 2026, 03:22:53 PMPerkins/Thorne are still 3-down virgins. I'm sure Wilson also had some pedigree before he first signed here. Doesn't really mean anything.
Zillions of promising USA U QBs pass through the CFL. 99% suck like Brohm. You can't pin your hopes on any rookie IMP QB because there's literally no way to tell anything until they get live snaps.
And don't sleep on my point about SY. Still need a guy who can 99% get us 3rd & 1. Can you tell that in TC with a rookie? Maybe? It's not easy or guaranteed, but it should be easier to tell than "can they play 3-down CFL ball".
It's all clear as mud, and we may have to take a couple of risky gambles and hope for the best. Wilson does make a nice security blanket though, especially if no Strev. Be nice if we could find a way to keep him in the bullpen... PR or on the couch with his phone programmed to block all other teams. MTL, for instance, would like a more reliable SY guy after that Patterson boondoogle.
Yes I think you can tell that in TC about a QB's ability for short yardage. Athletic ability, football IQ, toughness and following blocking are all part of SY skill set.
Speed, strength, elusiveness and ability to read defensive alignments are all part of assessments. IIRC Wilson picked up short yardage pretty quickly.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 14, 2026, 01:23:35 PMSure but I'm looking at 2025 as the most critical info. He took a beating last year and the team takes a more cautious and necessary approach to pulling him after a hit. Obviously an improved OL and game plan would help.
All that said I think it's predictable that he's going to miss time. How much I don't know but we know that concussion issues are cumulative. You are correct in your analysis.
Fingers are crossed we have a good # 2 in one of the rookies. Chances are he's going to see the field at some point.
It's been awhile since a rookie QB stepped in and led his team to multiple wins, maybe Cameron Dukes did it with the Argos, and Strev in his first season, but not many have been successful. The team may glimpse the future in his play as they did with Dru Brown, but pretty unlikely a rookie QB is going to provide them with any wins if Zach goes down on the way to the Grey Cup which is likely to happen.
If Wilson steps in as #2, he'll be on the first page of his script so we have no idea whether he'll shine or fall, he is athletically gifted but may not have the mental tools to succeed like 95% of the other QB's that tried and failed.
Artoepous we'll never know what he brought although he looked like he had a good head on his shoulders in pre-season game #2 against the Riders, they never once thought to let him touch the ball again. He wasn't cut so I guess they wanted him back, but possibly did next to nothing to convince him he had a future with the team in his year with the club.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 12, 2026, 03:19:51 PMWell it's a good theory. We've been trying to do that since Brown left. Most of us never thought that Streveler was the heir apparent.
So what do we have today in the wings? That's the giant question we can't answer at the moment. There is a certain level of optimism about the newbies.
There aren't really any CFL free agent QB's that fit the role beyond emergency band-aid solutions.
Time for the recruitment team to have success with those brought in. History has not been good at finding QB's for the Bombers.
The reality is that we won't know what we have until Collaros misses games due to injury. Our back ups don't get much playing time.
We have a UFLP MVP in the wings, we have a number of potentials on our neg list. Every year, a new wunderkind shows up on some team. Hopefully this year it is us.
Sidebar, having Perkins here will give us a very good yardstick to compare the leagues.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 15, 2026, 03:10:44 PMWe have a UFLP MVP in the wings, we have a number of potentials on our neg list. Every year, a new wunderkind shows up on some team. Hopefully this year it is us.
Sidebar, having Perkins here will give us a very good yardstick to compare the leagues.
Yes Perkins could be the answer and I'm optimistic he becomes the # 2 QB. I think I've also mentioned that I think Thorne is the new # 3 QB.
Hard to say if a neg list player ever ends up in Canada so we can't gauge anything on them quite yet.
In hindsight, he sounds like a throwback to the years when Don Jonas played semi pro. I have met lots of great athletes who played various amounts of some sort of pro football. Interestingly enough, we traded for a QB who internally could not read. When I heard this from the Bombers marketing guy after the QB was released or traded, I didn't want to know anymore. The QB was pretty good. Again, I just could not imagine this guy playing QB, and for a few teams also.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 15, 2026, 03:10:44 PMWe have a UFLP MVP in the wings, we have a number of potentials on our neg list. Every year, a new wunderkind shows up on some team. Hopefully this year it is us.
Not every year. Every 2-ish years. If we're talking future franchise guy levels. The most recent wunderkinds were Alexander, Rourke, Kelly, Dru. In that order. But before that there was a long dry spell of not-quite-good-enoughs who only got a few games to a season and then got demoted/fired.
So 4 guys in like 8 years. And how many IMP QBs cycled through the teams? 30-50? How many that actually saw the field? 15?
The odds are very long. A QB needs to flash fast in TC and PS and practice. They need to look like what D.Alford did to DBs. They have to be so good you can't not play them.
3 Down Nation ran a feature article about which team has the best QB room for 2026. No surprise the Bombers finished dead last. The general consensus is that if ZC goes down, we're hooped. :-\
https://3downnation.com/2026/03/22/all-nine-2026-cfl-quarterback-rooms-ranked
"9) Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Starter: Zach Collaros
Depth: Terry Wilson, Bryce Perkins, Payton Thorne
Collaros is a two-time CFL M.O.P. and three-time Grey Cup champion but there's no denying his production has fallen off the last two years, throwing 34 touchdown passes and 31 interceptions over 31 starts.
The 37-year-old will be looking to have a renaissance year akin to Bo Levi Mitchell and Trevor Harris and the Blue Bombers have done a lot to help him, adding veteran offensive coordinator Tommy Condell, receivers Tim White and Tommy Nield, and All-CFL offensive lineman Jarell Broxton.
Despite the struggles of their starter, Winnipeg's depth is an even bigger concern. Wilson appears set to be the backup with Chris Streveler no longer under contract but has only attempted 22 career regular-season CFL passes. The rest of the team's quarterbacks have zero CFL experience.
Perkins has an impressive resumé for an incoming rookie, having spent three seasons in the NFL and been named the MVP of the UFL. Thorne also has intriguing upside, having started 48 games at big-name schools and worked with longtime CFL quarterback and coach Kent Austin. Regardless, the Blue Bombers don't have a proven option behind Collaros, which could prove disastrous should an injury occur."
I really don't like how the DP ELC system works. It seems clear it's important to maximize the number of ELC NATs on the field, especially ones that are starting caliber.
In the last few years teams that have many ELC NATs have gone deep in the playoffs and/or won the GC. And it stands to reason, because if you have quality NAT starters on the cheap, you can fill your roster with expensive top star IMPs.
This works well when you can get first-year quality starting out of NAT ELCs. But if you take 1.5 to 2 years to dev your most promising DPs, as WPG almost always does (short of hoggies), then right when you've dev'd yourself a superstar (or even just strong/quality guys like Kramdi) their ELC is up. Then you either pray they are "loyal" (i.e. discount), or pay them huge $, or lose them to FA.
My point being that you can invest more time/money making them good, for other teams to reap all the benefits.
There's an easy solution to this: once they are eligible to get a FA-payday, the drafting team should be able to shield 50% of their salary above ELC from the SMS. This only applies to the drafting team. So if we wanted to keep Ford last year and he gets $200, which is ~$120 over ELC, we'd only take a $140 SMS hit, whereas the FA-sniping team would take a $200 SMS hit.
This would also help with team continuity, which fans (and coaches, and team store jersey sales staff) like.
I hate it when a guy spends 2.5 years dev'ing, 0.5 playing, then being a superstar for another team! This seems like the track Shay is on...
Quote from: Tecno on March 24, 2026, 01:54:04 AMI really don't like how the DP ELC system works. It seems clear it's important to maximize the number of ELC NATs on the field, especially ones that are starting caliber.
In the last few years teams that have many ELC NATs have gone deep in the playoffs and/or won the GC. And it stands to reason, because if you have quality NAT starters on the cheap, you can fill your roster with expensive top star IMPs.
This works well when you can get first-year quality starting out of NAT ELCs. But if you take 1.5 to 2 years to dev your most promising DPs, as WPG almost always does (short of hoggies), then right when you've dev'd yourself a superstar (or even just strong/quality guys like Kramdi) their ELC is up. Then you either pray they are "loyal" (i.e. discount), or pay them huge $, or lose them to FA.
My point being that you can invest more time/money making them good, for other teams to reap all the benefits.
There's an easy solution to this: once they are eligible to get a FA-payday, the drafting team should be able to shield 50% of their salary above ELC from the SMS. This only applies to the drafting team. So if we wanted to keep Ford last year and he gets $200, which is ~$120 over ELC, we'd only take a $140 SMS hit, whereas the FA-sniping team would take a $200 SMS hit.
This would also help with team continuity, which fans (and coaches, and team store jersey sales staff) like.
I hate it when a guy spends 2.5 years dev'ing, 0.5 playing, then being a superstar for another team! This seems like the track Shay is on...
I don't think I can agree. If you want to keep them, you have to pay them what they're worth the same as any of your other stars, like we've had to do with Brady.
Quote from: Jesse on March 24, 2026, 11:49:48 AMI don't think I can agree. If you want to keep them, you have to pay them what they're worth the same as any of your other stars, like we've had to do with Brady.
I agree with you. We don't need exceptions to the SMS or ratio. It's already complicated enough. It's the nature of the ratio that Canadian players that become stars will earn more than a possible import replacement. Obviously imports that become stars also earn more.
Just a supply / demand aspect of the sport.
Quote from: Jesse on March 24, 2026, 11:49:48 AMI don't think I can agree. If you want to keep them, you have to pay them what they're worth the same as any of your other stars, like we've had to do with Brady.
Exactly the point.
We've had to pony up for Brady, at the expense of bringing in top American talent, just because of his passport.
If we had any SMS relief on retaining drafted players, we could have done both.
Player retention is great for the league. Retaining Nat talent, even more so. And it is tougher to do, as it is rare when you draft a guy that lives locally. When his ELC is over, all things being equal, he heads home. Having extra SMS to play with, you can retain him.
Maybe limit it to a max of 7 designated players (to mirror the required number of NAT starters. Allow a 50% reduction of cap hit for any amount spent over the ELC.
The players get paid, the fans get fan favourites, and we get continuity that we all agree is much needed in this league.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 24, 2026, 03:10:16 PMWe didn't draft Brady
Exactly the point.
We've had to pony up for Brady, at the expense of bringing in top American talent, just because of his passport.
If we had any SMS relief on retaining drafted players, we could have done both.
Player retention is great for the league. Retaining Nat talent, even more so. And it is tougher to do, as it is rare when you draft a guy that lives locally. When his ELC is over, all things being equal, he heads home. Having extra SMS to play with, you can retain him.
Maybe limit it to a max of 7 designated players (to mirror the required number of NAT starters. Allow a 50% reduction of cap hit for any amount spent over the ELC.
The players get paid, the fans get fan favourites, and we get continuity that we all agree is much needed in this league.
We did draft Oliveria in 2019.
I strongly disagree with your idea of " SMS relief " on drafted players. The reasons should be self evident and not need explaining.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 24, 2026, 03:22:00 PMWe did draft Oliveria in 2019.
I strongly disagree with your idea of " SMS relief " on drafted players. The reasons should be self evident and not need explaining.
Yes, you are right, I thought I had removed that reference to not drafting Brady before I posted, was thinking Harris/Demski, the other Oak Park boys.
The NHL gives teams advantages in signing players with history on a team, for retention and betterment of the league.
The CFL allows teams to give guaranteed money in multi year deals for re-signing players. How is this different?
Player retention is good. Giving a team an incentive to keep a player, especially with the tamper week in place, just makes sense.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 24, 2026, 03:52:10 PMYes, you are right, I thought I had removed that reference to not drafting Brady before I posted, was thinking Harris/Demski, the other Oak Park boys.
The NHL gives teams advantages in signing players with history on a team, for retention and betterment of the league.
The CFL allows teams to give guaranteed money in multi year deals for re-signing players. How is this different?
Player retention is good. Giving a team an incentive to keep a player, especially with the tamper week in place, just makes sense.
Restrictive free agency allows teams to " match offers " and / or get draft choices in exchange. It does not alter the SMS activity amount for that player. Free market place, just like any other player on the roster.
I'm not against retention but most players are probably from out east. That's just the way it is and some will choose to leave on that basis even for the same or less money. Modifying the SMS rules for retention does not create an even playing field.
Teams already have incentive to retain top players.
Quote from: Tecno on March 24, 2026, 01:54:04 AMI really don't like how the DP ELC system works. It seems clear it's important to maximize the number of ELC NATs on the field, especially ones that are starting caliber.
In the last few years teams that have many ELC NATs have gone deep in the playoffs and/or won the GC. And it stands to reason, because if you have quality NAT starters on the cheap, you can fill your roster with expensive top star IMPs.
This works well when you can get first-year quality starting out of NAT ELCs. But if you take 1.5 to 2 years to dev your most promising DPs, as WPG almost always does (short of hoggies), then right when you've dev'd yourself a superstar (or even just strong/quality guys like Kramdi) their ELC is up. Then you either pray they are "loyal" (i.e. discount), or pay them huge $, or lose them to FA.
My point being that you can invest more time/money making them good, for other teams to reap all the benefits.
There's an easy solution to this: once they are eligible to get a FA-payday, the drafting team should be able to shield 50% of their salary above ELC from the SMS. This only applies to the drafting team. So if we wanted to keep Ford last year and he gets $200, which is ~$120 over ELC, we'd only take a $140 SMS hit, whereas the FA-sniping team would take a $200 SMS hit.
This would also help with team continuity, which fans (and coaches, and team store jersey sales staff) like.
I hate it when a guy spends 2.5 years dev'ing, 0.5 playing, then being a superstar for another team! This seems like the track Shay is on...
This is a feature, not a bug. The reason they get ELC money is to be commensurate with the skillset at the time and the risk the team takes on. As the player gets better, we see if those skills come to fruition and see the risk the team takes go down. At that point, the contract is up and the market gets to decide what that player's worth has become. The developing team either thinks they're worth it and pays the higher price or lets them walk. I think that's fair.
As for ELC Nats playing like starters...that's the exception and not the rule. Always love when it works that way but it's playing with house money and is really just good luck. And when they do go to FA, they tend to have levelled out and end up getting paid as if they had an infinite ceiling anyway and the market for them eventually levels out.
"All things being equal" is the key here.
If you match what a player is offered by a team closer to his home, he goes there. So you overpay to keep him. Not fair.
So we skew advantages to BC and Toronto/Hamilton, and get defections after ELC's are up.
Yes, coaches/GMs get to interview prospective draftees, and I'm sure every player will tell the truth about not needing to play close to their home of 20+ years. And yes, maybe some players want out of their life long home, but to Winnipeg? Or worse, Regina?
NHL players can sign longer deals with their current teams, which works in their advantage, and the team's. CFL players can get guaranteed money in extended contracts with a team they have current history with.
Limited SMS relief to re-sign draft picks seems a totally reasonable way to create more continuity. Giving you more SMS to re-sign a player coming off an ELC give the retaining team an advantage in being able to outbid a team closer to home, and actually saving SMS cap room while geographically overpaying.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 24, 2026, 06:24:44 PM"All things being equal" is the key here.
If you match what a player is offered by a team closer to his home, he goes there. So you overpay to keep him. Not fair.
So we skew advantages to BC and Toronto/Hamilton, and get defections after ELC's are up.
Yes, coaches/GMs get to interview prospective draftees, and I'm sure every player will tell the truth about not needing to play close to their home of 20+ years. And yes, maybe some players want out of their life long home, but to Winnipeg? Or worse, Regina?
NHL players can sign longer deals with their current teams, which works in their advantage, and the team's. CFL players can get guaranteed money in extended contracts with a team they have current history with.
Limited SMS relief to re-sign draft picks seems a totally reasonable way to create more continuity. Giving you more SMS to re-sign a player coming off an ELC give the retaining team an advantage in being able to outbid a team closer to home, and actually saving SMS cap room while geographically overpaying.
Ratio is not all things are equal.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 24, 2026, 07:09:58 PMRatio is not all things are equal.
Exactly.
Having to maintain ratio means that a Nat player coming off an ELC can be a valuable commodity for other teams to chase, but might be difficult for the drafting team to allocate cap space for.
Giving the drafting team a small incentive to bump the offer goes a long way in keeping continuity.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 24, 2026, 07:36:03 PMExactly.
Having to maintain ratio means that a Nat player coming off an ELC can be a valuable commodity for other teams to chase, but might be difficult for the drafting team to allocate cap space for.
Giving the drafting team a small incentive to bump the offer goes a long way in keeping continuity.
Where does it stop? There are more import starters than Canadians. It's a rat hole idea. Rosters change every season, some talent is replaced by newer talent at lower cost.
As I said your idea is not a competitive playing field. It has to be a free market where a rich team can't just over pay the competition.
I am not all that happy with our QB room at this point. It's ZC8 and bunch of ?? Love to have a backup with some CFL experience going into TC.
Quote from: Pigskin on March 24, 2026, 09:42:24 PMI am not all that happy with our QB room at this point. It's ZC8 and bunch of ?? Love to have a backup with some CFL experience going into TC.
None of us are happy about that. I'm not sure what we can do and have it make sense financially as well as practically.
I'm not a fan of Masoli or MBT but they have the ability to win on a good team.
Fingers are really crossed hoping that Perkins and Thorne show well.
We will live or die with Zach another year and his success will come on the back of our OL. Hopefully our other QBs get some reps and next year we will have to consider brining in a vet or two. If the OL gels early we will be fine.
Looks like Streveler is retiring.
Wish Strev the best of luck in the next chapter of his career. Proud of what he did here and down South. Not easy playing pro ball, let alone QB.
Long live Strefalski.
Now we can talk about the legendary warrior he was in 2019 and the fur coat and all that jazz for the rest of our lives.
The last thing I want is the distraction of a proven loser QB with "CFL experience"
You can't roster 2 legit, proven starting CFL QBs. You are always going to have a QB2 and QB3 that are either unproven, or proven not worth starting pay.
I want us to find the "next" one. Is it going to be Perkins or Thorne? More likely that it being Masoli or MBT.
Does Wilson make the next step?
Is it Elgersma? Fingers crossed we get to see.
Walters, Oshea, Condell all have been in this league long enough to know all the QB's with CFL experience that are out there, and what they can bring. If we have nothing but duds in camp and preseason, there will be QBs with "CFL experience" on couches looking for a gig.
We can take that step then if needed, not before.
EDIT:
Just an interesting note: MBT's Wiki page has the teams he's played for
San Jose SaberCats (2011)
San Francisco 49ers (2011)*
Sacramento Mountain Lions (2011)
Miami Dolphins (2011)*
Minnesota Vikings (2012–2013)
San Francisco 49ers (2013)
New England Patriots (2014)*
Minnesota Vikings (2014)*
Miami Dolphins (2014–2015)*
San Francisco 49ers (2015)*
Philadelphia Eagles (2016)*
Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2016)*
Toronto Argonauts (2017–2019, 2021–2022)
New Orleans Breakers (2023)
Edmonton Elks (2024)
Montreal Alouettes (2025)
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
The weird line in his Wiki page I didn't know was he played in the "Spring league" (not listed above) for the Aviators and: "While the Aviators under Bethel-Thompson earned a championship appearance, he declined to attend the game to prepare for "opportunities in more sustainable leagues with more resources available to the players." He quit on the team IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP to "prepare" for a better opportunity. Sure, a minor league that had its season shut down because of COVID, but still... if their money was good enough for you to take until then, you go to the championship game.
Yeah, Id also rather take a chance with a rookie qb, than go with one that we know is not gonna win games for us
Kelley/Arbuckle
Mitchell/Ford
Alexander/Crum
Fajardo/Powell
Rourke/Brice
Adams/Walker
Harris/Coan
Brown/Maier
Collaros/Wilson.
I think Strev. made a very smart decision.
Quote from: Pigskin on March 25, 2026, 02:36:22 PMKelley/Arbuckle
Mitchell/Ford
Alexander/Crum
Fajardo/Powell
Rourke/Brice
Adams/Walker
Harris/Coan
Brown/Maier
Collaros/Wilson.
Yeah, on paper we don't appear to have the optimum QB room compared to most other teams. Will really want to hear what posters think about Perkins in early days of TC. He has the tools and if he can adapt quickly to the CFL, our stock will go up.
It's probable that we'll see some new QB's in tryout camps and may add one to the roster before rookie camps. Who survives Maybe we snag one of our neg list QB's. A few show some promise but we don't know if we'll ever see a given neg list player.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 25, 2026, 03:22:54 PMYeah, on paper we don't appear to have the optimum QB room compared to most other teams. Will really want to hear what posters think about Perkins in early days of TC. He has the tools and if he can adapt quickly to the CFL, our stock will go up.
It's probable that we'll see some new QB's in tryout camps and may add one to the roster before rookie camps. Who survives Maybe we snag one of our neg list QB's. A few show some promise but we don't know if we'll ever see a given neg list player.
Perkins seems to have a far better UFL resume than MBT... so I'm hopeful.
And who know what other arms come into camp, and what Zach has done in the off season to be ready for 2026.
With Zach eating up so much $SMS, we need QB2 and QB3 to be affordable. For those asking for a Masoli or MBT type, would they be as cheap as a rookie now that they have proven not to be starters, or do they carry a premium for their "CFL experience"? If they do, that's another reason not to have them on the roster.
Quote from: Pigskin on March 25, 2026, 02:36:22 PMKelley/Arbuckle
Mitchell/Ford
Alexander/Crum
Fajardo/Powell
Rourke/Brice
Adams/Walker
Harris/Coan
Brown/Maier
Collaros/Wilson.
Eastern teams have decent backups. In the west, other than in Edmonton, all the number 2's are unproven.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 25, 2026, 04:20:32 PMPerkins seems to have a far better UFL resume than MBT... so I'm hopeful.
And who know what other arms come into camp, and what Zach has done in the off season to be ready for 2026.
With Zach eating up so much $SMS, we need QB2 and QB3 to be affordable. For those asking for a Masoli or MBT type, would they be as cheap as a rookie now that they have proven not to be starters, or do they carry a premium for their "CFL experience"? If they do, that's another reason not to have them on the roster.
They 100% carry a premium for being a known quantity. You pay that price to offset the risk.
If you have a rookie QB who is exciting on paper and plays for ELC QB money, you get to roll the dice that they show well and have potential or are a complete dud. That dice roll ain't 50/50, btw. More like 95/5.
I watched Perkins highligh reel and he ain't the saviour by any stretch. He's an athletic Qb who can run, similar to Ford, and completed a bunch of curl passes on his highlight reel, decent but nothing jaw dropping, especially given its USFL talent he's getting these highlights on.
I still contend the successor to ZC is currently playing in the league somewhere, and we'll get him via FA.
Quote from: dd on March 25, 2026, 08:03:30 PMI watched Perkins highligh reel and he ain't the saviour by any stretch. He's an athletic Qb who can run, similar to Ford, and completed a bunch of curl passes on his highlight reel, decent but nothing jaw dropping, especially given its USFL talent he's getting these highlights on.
I still contend the successor to ZC is currently playing in the league somewhere, and we'll get him via FA.
What team has 2 starters that the will allow one of to escape via FA?
We had Zach and Dru, and made the tough decision. What duo is at that level right now? Especially with starters aging out all over the place? Will a different team facing the Zach Dru question make the same decision we did?
Quote from: dd on March 25, 2026, 08:03:30 PMI watched Perkins highligh reel and he ain't the saviour by any stretch. He's an athletic Qb who can run, similar to Ford, and completed a bunch of curl passes on his highlight reel, decent but nothing jaw dropping, especially given its USFL talent he's getting these highlights on.
I still contend the successor to ZC is currently playing in the league somewhere, and we'll get him via FA.
Hervey gambled a year early on Taylor Powell, could turn out to be the smartest move in free agency, only time will tell.
I agree Zach's successor is currently playing somehwere in the league, most likely tangled up in the Argo/RedBlack triangle, between Chad Kelly, Nick Arbuckle and Dru Brown. With Dinwiddie now in charge of the RB's I'm guessing if they don't do well this season, Dru Brown will be the QB that pops out the side door.
Can't say Brown will ever bring the Bombers more GC's, but know he will make the team competitive if he can stay healthy.
Sure hope the QBs have a good year and stay healthy across the board.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 25, 2026, 08:33:46 PMWhat team has 2 starters that the will allow one of to escape via FA?
We had Zach and Dru, and made the tough decision. What duo is at that level right now? Especially with starters aging out all over the place? Will a different team facing the Zach Dru question make the same decision we did?
Arbuckle, Ford and Crum come to mind. They're better than any #2 we'll have and would welcome the opportunity to be a starter, and we'll be able to outbide their current teams as they'll prioritize paying Alexander, Mitchell and Kelly and that's not even considering we could likely outbid other teams on their current starter, aside from Kelly and Rourke as Zach's salary is up there so the dollars would be available to sign a Adams or Brown
Interesting. Elgersma having told getting a work visa in the US.
Walters chopped Zach down to $550k from $600k, but he should have gone down to $450k IMO.
https://3downnation.com/2026/03/26/winnipeg-blue-bombers-planned-zach-collaros-pay-reduction-prior-to-high-priced-cfl-free-agent-signings/
Quote from: dd on March 26, 2026, 04:42:36 PMArbuckle, Ford and Crum come to mind. They're better than any #2 we'll have and would welcome the opportunity to be a starter, and we'll be able to outbide their current teams as they'll prioritize paying Alexander, Mitchell and Kelly and that's not even considering we could likely outbid other teams on their current starter, aside from Kelly and Rourke as Zach's salary is up there so the dollars would be available to sign a Adams or Brown
The only one in that group with a possible "age out" decision is Mitchell, and we've all agreed that Ford is never a starter in this league. Even Arbuckle and Crum would be, at best, a third tier starter in the CFL, both have proven they can't lock down a starting gig.
Powell is the more interesting concept, depending on Fajardo. If Cody continues his renaissance, Powell might shake loose in 2 years, but if he shows enough to get starting consideration, I think they cut Cody loose instead, although he's only 34, Powell is 27.
Quote from: theaardvark on March 26, 2026, 08:53:32 PMThe only one in that group with a possible "age out" decision is Mitchell, and we've all agreed that Ford is never a starter in this league. Even Arbuckle and Crum would be, at best, a third tier starter in the CFL, both have proven they can't lock down a starting gig.
Powell is the more interesting concept, depending on Fajardo. If Cody continues his renaissance, Powell might shake loose in 2 years, but if he shows enough to get starting consideration, I think they cut Cody loose instead, although he's only 34, Powell is 27.
Fajardo came close to retiring this off-season, so I don't think he'll stick with it much longer, unless he comes to the realization his earning potential will drop off a roof once he retires.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 26, 2026, 10:00:06 PMFajardo came close to retiring this off-season, so I don't think he'll stick with it much longer, unless he comes to the realization his earning potential will drop off a roof once he retires.
Zach had a similar situation just before he joined the Bombers...
Birmingham Stallions play their 1st game today. I'll watch part of that to see if Elgersma gets on the field. Recent info suggests he might still be having work visa paperwork problems. Either way, I think he's probably the # 3 QB and not likely to see the field.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 27, 2026, 02:43:53 PMBirmingham Stallions play their 1st game today. I'll watch part of that to see if Elgersma gets on the field. Recent info suggests he might still be having work visa paperwork problems. Either way, I think he's probably the # 3 QB and not likely to see the field.
I heard he was not even on the opening day line-up.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 27, 2026, 02:43:53 PMBirmingham Stallions play their 1st game today. I'll watch part of that to see if Elgersma gets on the field. Recent info suggests he might still be having work visa paperwork problems. Either way, I think he's probably the # 3 QB and not likely to see the field.
Strange he has paperwork problems, he's been down in the states for a year+ trying to get a job in the NFL, and it just come to light now that he was going to be placed on a roster?? Wow.
Quote from: dd on March 27, 2026, 05:20:12 PMStrange he has paperwork problems, he's been down in the states for a year+ trying to get a job in the NFL, and it just come to light now that he was going to be placed on a roster?? Wow.
Maybe he failed to renew or discovered he had the wrong visa to get paid to work in the US. Up to this point I don't think anybody has offered him a paycheque, this oversight probably falls under his agents responsibility.
Quote from: Jesse on March 27, 2026, 04:43:14 PMI heard he was not even on the opening day line-up.
That may be true. I don't follow the UFL all that much. I checked their roster he's listed but he could be inactive as you thought.
I was just going to watch a bit and see if he was on the sideline or not. I really didn't expect him to play even if active unless the team had immediate injuries.
So if he's in active we might hear in a few days if that's work permit or roster decision.
The post above mine made a good point that a tryout is not the same as a roster being offered. That may be his problem. lol
I see it's confirmed that Elgersma is inactive. I guess that means he's on the PR? He may end up in CFL TC yet.
Whether its his agents fault or his (ultimately), it isn't a good look for this guy trying to be a 'pro'
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on March 27, 2026, 06:38:00 PMMaybe he failed to renew or discovered he had the wrong visa to get paid to work in the US. Up to this point I don't think anybody has offered him a paycheque, this oversight probably falls under his agents responsibility.
Its my understanding its harder to get a visa for a Canadian to play in the UFL than the NFL due to the UFL not reaching certain revenue thresholds.
3DownNation reports he's not playing but offers no reasons as to why.
https://3downnation.com/2026/03/27/canadian-qb-taylor-elgersma-inactive-for-birmingham-stallions-ufl-opener/
By the way, the game is at 7pm tonight on Fox.
3DownNation updated their article to include the reason why Taylor isn't dressed.
https://3downnation.com/2026/03/27/canadian-qb-taylor-elgersma-inactive-for-birmingham-stallions-ufl-opener/
Elgersma is ineligible to play games for the team while his application for a P1 U.S. work visa is pending. There is no timeline for when the situation could be resolved.
The London, Ont., native has signed his contract with the Stallions, but it has yet to be officially registered by the UFL due to the ongoing situation. In the meantime, he is permitted to be with the team on an unpaid basis, which allowed him to participate in training camp and subsequent practices.
Quote from: gobombersgo on March 27, 2026, 11:33:35 PM3DownNation updated their article to include the reason why Taylor isn't dressed.
https://3downnation.com/2026/03/27/canadian-qb-taylor-elgersma-inactive-for-birmingham-stallions-ufl-opener/
Elgersma is ineligible to play games for the team while his application for a P1 U.S. work visa is pending. There is no timeline for when the situation could be resolved.
The London, Ont., native has signed his contract with the Stallions, but it has yet to be officially registered by the UFL due to the ongoing situation. In the meantime, he is permitted to be with the team on an unpaid basis, which allowed him to participate in training camp and subsequent practices.
Un-paid is a shot to the groin. That seems very un prepared for his football journey. It's been over a month since he got drafted / signed or whatever.
I don't know how much longer it will take to clear the paperwork hurdle but it's a 10 game season. Clock is ticking.
The guy has mismanaged his post draft of years pretty spectacularly. The NFL shot was unexpected and legitimate, but everything after that has been a 0/10 including his "participation" in the NFL combine.
It seems a bit odd that he could sign a contract without having his immigration status solidified/confirmed. That has to be a frustrating situation for Elgersma.
It makes me wonder how much of it is self-inflicted.
Quote from: Blue In BC on March 28, 2026, 01:28:05 PMUn-paid is a shot to the groin.
I assume since he is still there they want him as one of their 3 QB's, meaning he just lost a game check. For training camp I am sure food and lodging is covered and the per diem lost is next to nothing anyway.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on March 28, 2026, 03:14:33 PMIt seems a bit odd that he could sign a contract without having his immigration status solidified/confirmed. That has to be a frustrating situation for Elgersma.
It makes me wonder how much of it is self-inflicted.
It wouldn't be up to a UFL team run on a shoestring budget to figure out the paper work required to sign a foreign player, so it's Elgersma or his agent that screwed up. Could be Elgersma has no agent and is representing himself and has no clue which visa rules he's supposed to be following, he may not have had any visa at all.
Kinda leaves 2 options, he's either not too smart or he's young, inexperienced and naive, which most people have been at one time or another.
Quote from: Waffler on March 28, 2026, 03:58:28 PMI assume since he is still there they want him as one of their 3 QB's, meaning he just lost a game check. For training camp I am sure food and lodging is covered and the per diem lost is next to nothing anyway.
TC lasted a few weeks and now week one missed game. I guess we'll see if he's active next week. UFL salaries are not that high, so even missing the 1st week lowers his season total.
I'm not sure if UFL teams always roster 3 QB's and whether they have others around on some version of a PR.
No doubt he's young and dumb, but heck, isn't there a manager of player personnel on this rinky dink team to ensure things like these are taken care of?? Bush league all the way. I just can't figure out why you'd want to even be associated with this trash league.
To hear people talk about this, it seems like international players have had a difficult time getting visa's to work for the UFL. The league just seemingly isn't established enough. So it doesn't seem to be a case of not doing the paperwork properly or in time, just a fact of life for a foreign born player in an fledgling league.
It's not a mistake on his part. The team wants him on the roster and he wants to be there. Just passport issues.
Quote from: Jesse on March 28, 2026, 06:46:55 PMTo hear people talk about this, it seems like international players have had a difficult time getting visa's to work for the UFL. The league just seemingly isn't established enough. So it doesn't seem to be a case of not doing the paperwork properly or in time, just a fact of life for a foreign born player in an fledgling league.
It's not a mistake on his part. The team wants him on the roster and he wants to be there. Just passport issues.
to me this is more on the ufl team, before they sign a player they should be well aware of whether he is eligible to play. As a league they should have guidelines as to this as well. otherwise they are going through all the expenses and time involved on all parties for nothing
Watching the Birmingham game, the quarterbacking is awful. St Louis now has Harrison Frost at qb who had a rough start but is looking good in the 4th qtr.
I could easily see Elgersma getting a shot if his visa comes thru
Quote from: Jesse on March 28, 2026, 06:46:55 PMTo hear people talk about this, it seems like international players have had a difficult time getting visa's to work for the UFL. The league just seemingly isn't established enough. So it doesn't seem to be a case of not doing the paperwork properly or in time, just a fact of life for a foreign born player in an fledgling league.
It's not a mistake on his part. The team wants him on the roster and he wants to be there. Just passport issues.
The UFL is a development league for the NFL so I can't say I understand their objectives to build the best team, but why should they care about an alien player from outerspace? They can easily fill every position 10 times over with desperate American players willing to play for next to nothing. Signing a Canadian who has visa issues seems to be a great big hassle I wouldn't even bother with.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 13, 2026, 03:13:39 AMThe UFL is a development league for the NFL so I can't say I understand their objectives to build the best team, but why should they care about an alien player from outerspace? They can easily fill every position 10 times over with desperate American players willing to play for next to nothing. Signing a Canadian who has visa issues seems to be a great big hassle I wouldn't even bother with.
Who is talking about the UFL right this instant BECAUSE they are looking at a alien with VISA problems. The guy hasn't even dressed for them, and there are people on this forum discussing the UFL and even watching the games.
Very effective use of the "Global" systems the CFL started...
Quote from: Pete on April 12, 2026, 09:22:43 PMWatching the Birmingham game, the quarterbacking is awful. St Louis now has Harrison Frost at qb who had a rough start but is looking good in the 4th qtr.
I could easily see Elgersma getting a shot if his visa comes thru
I agree. I watched both games and Qb talent was brutal, none are even close to being CFL calibre starting material and to think our guy is #3 behind these guys!?! Most players have some sort of tie with the NFL, either drafted and played or just drafted and trying to make a name for themselves. Our guy is a walkon that can't get his paperwork right and even if he does, he'll never leapfrog past the guys. I saw him play in the Vanier Cup and he played worse there than the Qb's yesterday did in semi pro play. And as bad at Birmingham's Qb played, and he was brutal , they didn't yank him which tells me they're committed to him getting better
Quote from: dd on April 13, 2026, 11:12:20 PMI agree. I watched both games and Qb talent was brutal, none are even close to being CFL calibre starting material and to think our guy is #3 behind these guys!?!
Well, to be fair, probably every UFL QB was a starter in college -- just like Elgersma. So really no better, no worse, in their eyes. In fact, why would they give the Canada U kid a chance over guys who started 4down in well known US colleges?
There's a huge chance that Elgersma will need 1-2 years dev when he comes north. Even Rourke & Alexander & Kelly did (yes, but Elgersma has the 3down experience already, but still...).
Pro leagues aren't college.
This was too funny to not post. Speedflex27 posted this over on 3rd down.
Breaking News... January 1, 2027. The 14 agents representing Taylor Elgersma have arranged tryouts with the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Jacksonville Sharks, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings & Chicago Bears with more teams to come. This would mark his 88th tryout for an NFL team when he flies to the Falcons training facility on January 4th. Elgersma's agents are also confident that he'll get his work visa to play in the UFL this season.
Breaking News.... January 1, 2028. The 22 agents for Taylor Elgersma have said that they have arranged tryouts with the Carolina Panthers. New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams. Las Vegar Raiders & Houston Texans with more teams to come. This will be his 148th workout for an NFL team in the the past 3 years when he flies into Charlotte on January 5th. Elgersma's agent's are hopeful that he'll get his work visa to play in the UFL this season.
Breaking News.... January 1, 2029. The 107 agents for Taylor Elgersma have said that they have arranged tryouts starting on January 5th for the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers & Seattle Seahawks with more teams to come. The Pats tryout marks his 265th NFL workout trying to secure a training camp spot for the upcoming season. Elgersma's agents are praying he gets his work visa to play in the UFL this season.
Breaking News: February 1, 2030. Taylor Elgersma ended his years long NFL sojourn by signing his rookie deal with the Blue Bombers yesterday. Now, the 27 year old has 3 years to look forward to playing for the CFL minimum.
Quote from: Tecno on April 14, 2026, 02:34:00 AMThere's a huge chance that Elgersma will need 1-2 years dev when he comes north. Even Rourke & Alexander & Kelly did (yes, but Elgersma has the 3down experience already, but still...).
Pro leagues aren't college.
Agree. The biggest reason he is not employed now in the NFL is that he is just too raw. Throwing him to the wolves in any league won't help.
Quote from: Waffler on April 14, 2026, 03:24:37 PMAgree. The biggest reason he is not employed now in the NFL is that he is just too raw. Throwing him to the wolves in any league won't help.
One thing I like about Elgersma is that he played defence in Jr. hockey for the London Knights, so he should be accustomed to physical contact and doling out punishment and is probably pretty tough. A mindset that would be foreign to a QB raised in the US who has been pampered and protected by a yellow jersey from a very young age. Not that Elgersma is going to intimidate any D-lineman but he'll play without fear and physical contact should not phase him.
Quote from: Blue In BC on April 14, 2026, 03:19:07 PMThis was too funny to not post. Speedflex27 posted this over on 3rd down.
Breaking News... January 1, 2027. The 14 agents representing Taylor Elgersma have arranged tryouts with the Atlanta Falcons, New York Giants, Jacksonville Sharks, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings & Chicago Bears with more teams to come. This would mark his 88th tryout for an NFL team when he flies to the Falcons training facility on January 4th. Elgersma's agents are also confident that he'll get his work visa to play in the UFL this season.
Breaking News.... January 1, 2028. The 22 agents for Taylor Elgersma have said that they have arranged tryouts with the Carolina Panthers. New York Jets, Los Angeles Rams. Las Vegar Raiders & Houston Texans with more teams to come. This will be his 148th workout for an NFL team in the the past 3 years when he flies into Charlotte on January 5th. Elgersma's agent's are hopeful that he'll get his work visa to play in the UFL this season.
Breaking News.... January 1, 2029. The 107 agents for Taylor Elgersma have said that they have arranged tryouts starting on January 5th for the New England Patriots, Kansas City Chiefs, Philadelphia Eagles, Pittsburgh Steelers, Los Angeles Chargers, San Francisco 49ers & Seattle Seahawks with more teams to come. The Pats tryout marks his 265th NFL workout trying to secure a training camp spot for the upcoming season. Elgersma's agents are praying he gets his work visa to play in the UFL this season.
Breaking News: February 1, 2030. Taylor Elgersma ended his years long NFL sojourn by signing his rookie deal with the Blue Bombers yesterday. Now, the 27 year old has 3 years to look forward to playing for the CFL minimum.
It's funny and a bit absurd at the same time. LaFleur really sent his career progression careening off a cliff by bringing him in, inadvertently of course. We're talking about a USports quarterback who would be 2-3 on a CFL depth chart at this stage. There's 50 or more American trained and coached quarterbacks aging out of the NCAA every year that are just like him but better.
I don't have an answer as to why teams would want to look at some kid who's played at some Canadian university that played 3 down football when you have players who are older, more experienced and played at legit Big 10 colleges, drafted or played in the NFL, but it could be because it isn't costing them anything, he's a walk on, so there's no downside to them to have him hang around. It's a loooooong shot for him if he makes it, but that's his risk on the team's.
I don't understand why he figures he deserves these tryouts after proving really nothing at the pro level, and is totally raw to the 4 down system. Nathan Rourke couldn't make it, guaranteed, this guy doesn't make it, guaranteed. He's wasting his time there and at the same time, not getting any experience at the 3 down pro level, where his experience playing 3 down football is an asset, not a liability like in the UFL.
Quote from: dd on April 14, 2026, 10:11:29 PMI don't have an answer as to why teams would want to look at some kid who's played at some Canadian university that played 3 down football when you have players who are older, more experienced and played at legit Big 10 colleges, drafted or played in the NFL, but it could be because it isn't costing them anything, he's a walk on, so there's no downside to them to have him hang around. It's a loooooong shot for him if he makes it, but that's his risk on the team's.
I don't understand why he figures he deserves these tryouts after proving really nothing at the pro level, and is totally raw to the 4 down system. Nathan Rourke couldn't make it, guaranteed, this guy doesn't make it, guaranteed. He's wasting his time there and at the same time, not getting any experience at the 3 down pro level, where his experience playing 3 down football is an asset, not a liability like in the UFL.
Hoping he figures it out in the next few months and reports to Bomber TC on time, if he wastes another year he might as well shoot himself in the foot.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 14, 2026, 10:16:08 PMHoping he figures it out in the next few months and reports to Bomber TC on time, if he wastes another year he might as well shoot himself in the foot.
If he doesn't , his ship will have sailed here, Bombers have already brought in bodies to compete for the #2 and #3 spots, one being an MVP of the UFL, this guy isn't even on the roster yet let alone MVP.
Quote from: dd on April 14, 2026, 10:27:39 PMIf he doesn't , his ship will have sailed here, Bombers have already brought in bodies to compete for the #2 and #3 spots, one being an MVP of the UFL, this guy isn't even on the roster yet let alone MVP.
There's always room for QBs. We just added Perkins who is already 30. Elgersma's chances aren't going to expire at 24.
Quote from: Blue In BC on April 14, 2026, 03:19:07 PMBreaking News: February 1, 2030. Taylor Elgersma ended his years long NFL sojourn by signing his rookie deal with the Blue Bombers yesterday. Now, the 27 year old has 3 years to look forward to playing for the CFL minimum.
Ya, cute & funny. But the end is what explains his behavior and actually makes all that seemingly-nonsense before it suddenly logical.
If he comes up now, he really does have 2 (probably 3) seasons of playing for CFL QB ELC. No one gets excited at that prospect.
Quote from: Tecno on April 15, 2026, 06:29:08 AMYa, cute & funny. But the end is what explains his behavior and actually makes all that seemingly-nonsense before it suddenly logical.
If he comes up now, he really does have 2 (probably 3) seasons of playing for CFL QB ELC. No one gets excited at that prospect.
Yeah, every NHL player hates having 5 years of pro contracts in the control of the team... they could go to Europe and make so much more...
Quote from: Tecno on April 15, 2026, 06:29:08 AMYa, cute & funny. But the end is what explains his behavior and actually makes all that seemingly-nonsense before it suddenly logical.
If he comes up now, he really does have 2 (probably 3) seasons of playing for CFL QB ELC. No one gets excited at that prospect.
Compared to earning ZERO? Many players of all nationalities play on ELC deals.
Looks like Elgersma hit the fast forward button and is now a Blue Bomber- heres hoping that hes a blue chipper! https://3downnation.com/2026/04/16/canadian-quarterback-taylor-elgersma-signs-with-winnipeg-blue-bombers/
Quote from: Pete on April 16, 2026, 11:54:41 PMLooks like Elgersma hit the fast forward button and is now a Blue Bomber- heres hoping that hes a blue chipper! https://3downnation.com/2026/04/16/canadian-quarterback-taylor-elgersma-signs-with-winnipeg-blue-bombers/
Yeeha!!! Glad we don't have to go through another season wondering who the future QB will be, hopefully this works out well.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 17, 2026, 12:07:59 AMYeeha!!! Glad we don't have to go through another season wondering who the future QB will be, hopefully this works out well.
Uh... do you want me to break it to him? Things are still as clear as mud. All we have at this exact moment are hopes & dreams & a lot of QBs coming to camp, that just happens to include a Usports star who may or may not be able to hack it as a pro.
Can we be more optimistic now? Sure. But maybe by only 5%?
Quote from: theaardvark on April 16, 2026, 06:15:57 PMYeah, every NHL player hates having 5 years of pro contracts in the control of the team... they could go to Europe and make so much more...
Uh... what is NHL ELC vs CFL ELC? LOL. (Yikes, I just looked it up... double LOL.)
Elgersma is just a lottery ticket at the moment. He hasn't even thrown a single CFL pass. The BB needs a better option when (not if) Collaros goes down during the season.
So much negativity. Can't be much fun.
Hopefully he plays well and is a success for the Bombers and the CFL
That would be good in a few ways.
Glad the kid finally signed with the Bombers.
Hope Zach teaches him well this year.
Good news for CFL fans.
Quote from: Tecno on April 17, 2026, 05:44:39 AMUh... what is NHL ELC vs CFL ELC? LOL. (Yikes, I just looked it up... double LOL.)
ELC as % of FA contract might actually be higher in the CFL than NHL, except at the starting QB position.
Yeah, $850k NHL ELC is better than an $85k CFL deal, but the FA deal for a top player can go 10x, and no CFL player ever gets a 10X ELC deal, ever.
If he lights it up, he uses the NFL window for sure. And if he sticks down there like Streveler did, really screws up the post Zach discussion if he wins it out.
So I'm not sure if I want him lighting it up instantly. If Perkins or Thorne can impress and win the #2 spot from Wilson, and Elgersma does enough to get QB3 / SY, I think that might be best long term. Year 2, when Perkins/Thorne take over from Zach, Elgersma move to QB2 and with a year under his belt, can challenge for #1.
I can see him taking advantage of the window every year, regardless of his success and progress. So until he either sticks or gives up, he will always be a ?, so the Blue need a contingency other than Elgersma.
He is a very nice potential asset and if his place ends up being in the league and he does well, it will be a blessing.
If you look at Rourke, his first year was definitely part of a learning curve
Elgersma will be the same, Limited reps barring injuries and even then might be behind one of the ither qbs with mire oro experience
You guys said he's tall right? I assume has some beef too? Then couldn't he be a Stevens type and be SY in week 1? And learn the #2 role over the next 1-2 seasons...
Quote from: Tecno on April 18, 2026, 03:59:04 AMYou guys said he's tall right? I assume has some beef too? Then couldn't he be a Stevens type and be SY in week 1? And learn the #2 role over the next 1-2 seasons...
Not that much beef! They are both 6'-5" but Elgersma weighs 227 lbs. while Stevens is 245 lbs. While in Calgary Stevens was featured in a show that had him visiting local restaurants where he ate amazing quantities of food.
I re-read the Zach-takes-a-pay-cut article, and want to reiterate how this is very decent of him to do. Many people whined that Zach was too pricey for his production the last 1-2 seasons. Many people wanted him to take a haircut. Well, he did. And we should all applaud him for that, just like we did when Biggie / Willie (and others) did the same in the past.
And the article made it sound like Zach was very team-first. Ya, some will moan it's "only" 50k, but this is at least as much as the other guys took off, too. And it shows everyone isn't blind to the declining production situation. Add into that the fact another oldster QB gave a huge reduction last season and the team won the cup partly because of that...
Now, what I want to see is more restructuring to pay more to Zach out of the MMM. Zach can still get the same $, but we don't take as big a SMS hit. I really don't understand why we aren't doing this.
Bottom line: thanks Zach!!