Blue Bombers sign All-CFL halfback Evan Holm to two-year contract extension
WINNIPEG, MB., January 6, 2026 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a two-year extension with veteran defensive back Evan Holm.
He was scheduled to become a free agent in February.
Holm (5-11, 188; University of North Dakota; born: May 14, 1998, in Edina, MN.) returns in 2026 for his fifth year with the Blue Bombers and following a 2025 season that was the best in his Canadian Football League career.
Holm was named to the CFL and West Division All-Star teams in 2025 and was also saluted as the Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Defensive player after finishing with 55 tackles, six more on special teams, two forced fumbles and a team high four interceptions.
He started all 18 regular-season games and the Eastern Semi-Final in 2025 and has not missed a single contest since 2023, with 63 games – all as a Blue Bomber – now to his name.
Holm dressed for 47 games, starting 25, during his days with the Fighting Hawks and earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honours during his redshirt senior season (2020-21) and was named as an honourable mention to the MVFC All-Academic Team. Holm was named UND's most-valuable defensive back in his junior season and as a freshman was named to the Big Sky All-Academic Team.
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Evan Holm will be interviewed by the media on Thursday, January 8 at 11:30 a.m. CT.
And the 3downnation breakdown of his contract comes out when? Eli's too, please.
Excellent. I hoped he'd be back but thought it might take a bit longer due to his workout in the NFL.
This is the guy we should and probably did break the bank for. At least in terms of American starting dollars.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 06, 2026, 07:46:32 PMAnd the 3downnation breakdown of his contract comes out when? Eli's too, please.
Should parallel Nichols contract, no more, no less.
Well done Walters cuz Holm was a must
wonder if we have interest in re-signing Houston? Im not sure how much money we have left to spend on the secondary, but we had problems ly with our corners til he was signed
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 06, 2026, 09:46:05 PMShould parallel Nichols contract, no more, no less.
Nichols has been petering off for 2 seasons now. Still reliable, but QBs/OCs aren't scared of him anymore. I just think it's an age thing. So in that regard, Holm should get more than Nichols. However, he may have taken the same in the spirit of fairness.
Quote from: Pete on January 07, 2026, 01:30:17 AMwonder if we have interest in re-signing Houston? Im not sure how much money we have left to spend on the secondary, but we had problems ly with our corners til he was signed
Houston was basically couch-bound until we called him up. And he acquitted himself quite well. If we re-sign Bonds (I think we will) we'll still need someone to run the corner until he's better. Plus, no Parker now.
If we assume we scout one good DB this year, we'll still be needing the depth and experience. Since Houston should be somewhat budget (just have to not hurt his pride), I don't see how you let him walk.
Quote from: Tecno on January 07, 2026, 08:36:55 AMHouston was basically couch-bound until we called him up. And he acquitted himself quite well. If we re-sign Bonds (I think we will) we'll still need someone to run the corner until he's better. Plus, no Parker now.
If we assume we scout one good DB this year, we'll still be needing the depth and experience. Since Houston should be somewhat budget (just have to not hurt his pride), I don't see how you let him walk.
Houston and Bonds both turn 30 this year. Still young enough to play but we also need some younger DB's as well. I think Houston is back. He's a little bigger and more experienced and I'm still worried about Bonds injury status.
Lawson is a potential free agent so he might be anything from starter to depth if re-signed.
Key signing.
Evan is a dedicated cat.
Welcome back!
Houston never lost his job for performance. Once cleared, he was back, and knowing he'd have a spot this upcoming year his preparedness for the new season could advance where he was at the end of the year.
Anyone have an estimate on the $?
Amazing news, happy its for 2
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 08, 2026, 12:49:38 AMAnyone have an estimate on the $?
Nothing yet, just guesses. We might need a 3down "highest paid DBs" list before we get the real story.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 07, 2026, 10:04:58 PMHouston never lost his job for performance. Once cleared, he was back
CGY seemed perfectly happy to let him go. I think it was more than just injury. $$ and age worked against him. And he never lit it up in CGY like he did here. M.Sayles has been the poster child for sustained success after leaving WFC.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have made Evan Holm the CFL's highest-paid American defensive back, per league sources.
The 27-year-old signed a two-year contract extension with the team on Tuesday, which included an $80,000 signing bonus. Holm will also receive $71,700 in salary, $15,300 in housing, $10,000 in marketing, and a $3,000 travel bonus. In total, he will earn $180,000 in hard money in 2026, plus up to $6,000 in all-star and awards incentives.
https://3downnation.com/2026/01/08/winnipeg-blue-bombers-make-evan-holm-cfls-highest-paid-american-db/
Makes sense and not surprised. Better use of SMS than throwing dump trucks full to Brady. Half backs of his caliber are rare. We should probably limit his ST usage a bit this year although it will be hard because he's probably also the best edge setter on kick coverage in the league by a pretty wide margin.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 08, 2026, 01:44:22 PMMakes sense and not surprised. Better use of SMS than throwing dump trucks full to Brady. Half backs of his caliber are rare. We should probably limit his ST usage a bit this year although it will be hard because he's probably also the best edge setter on kick coverage in the league by a pretty wide margin.
I agree. He's as solid as you can get. It's the nature of the higher SMS being spent. Still lots of other DB's not re-signed that might get more I suppose but to each team their choice.
We are going to have an expensive secondary though.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 08, 2026, 03:15:43 PMI agree. He's as solid as you can get. It's the nature of the higher SMS being spent. Still lots of other DB's not re-signed that might get more I suppose but to each team their choice.
We are going to have an expensive secondary though.
Might need one given how little pressure we put on QBs. :D
Hopefully that changes this year.
Quote from: Ridermania on January 08, 2026, 01:31:17 PMThe Winnipeg Blue Bombers have made Evan Holm the CFL's highest-paid American defensive back, per league sources.
The 27-year-old signed a two-year contract extension with the team on Tuesday, which included an $80,000 signing bonus. Holm will also receive $71,700 in salary, $15,300 in housing, $10,000 in marketing, and a $3,000 travel bonus. In total, he will earn $180,000 in hard money in 2026, plus up to $6,000 in all-star and awards incentives.
https://3downnation.com/2026/01/08/winnipeg-blue-bombers-make-evan-holm-cfls-highest-paid-american-db/
This is getting expensive, amazing all that without a bidding war? Ever get the feeling player agents are hearing silent bids long before free agency opens.
Quote from: Tecno on January 08, 2026, 01:49:10 AMCGY seemed perfectly happy to let him go. I think it was more than just injury. $$ and age worked against him. And he never lit it up in CGY like he did here. M.Sayles has been the poster child for sustained success after leaving WFC.
Pretty sure the Stamps dropped Houston like a red hot stone when he was charged with domestic violence, which is the same reason no other team picked him up till the Bombers called.
In his first stop with the Bombers he was hit or miss at CB, in his 3rd and last season he snared 7 interceptions but also gave up a lot of big plays he gambled on and lost, thus he never became a fan favourite as some accused him of attempting to pad his numbers above the team objective.
Interesting, his NFL workout consisted of 20-30 minutes of running drills with 4 other DB's and that was it.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 08, 2026, 05:34:19 PMThis is getting expensive, amazing all that without a bidding war? Ever get the feeling player agents are hearing silent bids long before free agency opens.
Nope just the result of the higher SMS and players asking for their share of it.
Quote from: Ridermania on January 08, 2026, 01:31:17 PMThe Winnipeg Blue Bombers have made Evan Holm the CFL's highest-paid American defensive back, per league sources.
Ouch. I did not see that coming. He's one of the best, but he's mostly under the radar and has basically said he's happy to stay here and not be mega confrontational in negotiating. Maybe it's all his agent. I think he would have stayed for less.
I have 2 problems with this:
1. You need to re-sign the DBs you want to pay LESS
FIRST! Now all the FA DBs will want a big bump too. Ya, we got Nichols already. But there's still Bonds, Houston, maybe Lawson. Unless we don't want any of them or think we'll get away with offering cheap deals...
2. We're front-loading FA with a ton of VERY expensive contracts. Part of KW's job is to find value, not just run out of money with half a roster still to fill. At the rate we're going, our "big FA splash" acquisitions will be ... nobody.
Bonus: 3. Almost half the money in signing bonus?? Mega ouch if he gets injured...
These "highest paid" things need to be taken with a grain of salt. We are a) only getting salary leaks on a handful of players, and b) about half the league is a FA every year. And FA agency hasn't started yet. Every all star on every team is being made the highest paid at their position every time a new one signs.
Holm and Nichols were among the highest paid DBs the last couple of seasons and they stay in the same range. I doubt they top the list once FA is over.
I have no issue with Holm being the highest paid DB. He earns it, adn has been one of our most reliable DB's, and is a good backup returner, although we haven't seen him do that in a long while.
Not sure why fans are upset with EH getting a fair contract, yet giddy that Brady hosed us for $300k.
EH is worth every penny of his contract, the same cant be said for Brady
Quote from: Tecno on January 09, 2026, 09:18:20 AMOuch. I did not see that coming. He's one of the best, but he's mostly under the radar and has basically said he's happy to stay here and not be mega confrontational in negotiating. Maybe it's all his agent. I think he would have stayed for less.
I have 2 problems with this:
1. You need to re-sign the DBs you want to pay LESS FIRST! Now all the FA DBs will want a big bump too. Ya, we got Nichols already. But there's still Bonds, Houston, maybe Lawson. Unless we don't want any of them or think we'll get away with offering cheap deals...
2. We're front-loading FA with a ton of VERY expensive contracts. Part of KW's job is to find value, not just run out of money with half a roster still to fill. At the rate we're going, our "big FA splash" acquisitions will be ... nobody.
Bonus: 3. Almost half the money in signing bonus?? Mega ouch if he gets injured...
Splash??? What splash? FA could turn out similar to last year if the kopeks in the bank get too low, the big prizes are going to get paid in full.
Have to say I prefer Walters earlier approach of keeping the secondary on a low budget with steady turnover and great recruitment, I believe that remains the winningest strategy mainly because DB's have always been a dime a dozen and every good mother in Alabama gives birth to at least 3 more.
Hope he hasn't created a problem for himself by falling in love with his preferred children, causing them to come up short in other departments, a narrative that ties right back into the loyalty issues of last season. All could be forgiven if he'd just put a gun to Zach's head and knock him down to $400k, a discount Trevor Harris and BLM willingly accepted when their careers looked near the end.
By signing key players early it gives Walters more certainty in terms of his budget. Also we dont know what portions of salaries counted against 25 cap.
Not signing the players we have would greatly increase the odds of this team taking a major step back.
We have to do a better job of scouting and developing new talent so that they are ready to step in and replace aging high priced vets on their 2nd year. I would have thought replacing Kramdi with Smith this year had the potential of doing just that, and to be fair maybe thats the plan with Ayers or Woodbey replacing Wilson and/or Griffin
Quote from: Pete on January 09, 2026, 11:40:07 PMBy signing key players early it gives Walters more certainty in terms of his budget. Also we dont know what portions of salaries counted against 25 cap.
Not signing the players we have would greatly increase the odds of this team taking a major step back.
We have to do a better job of scouting and developing new talent so that they are ready to step in and replace aging high priced vets on their 2nd year. I would have thought replacing Kramdi with Smith this year had the potential of doing just that, and to be fair maybe thats the plan with Ayers or Woodbey replacing Wilson and/or Griffin
Well we do know anyone signed after Dec. 31st is paid with 2026 SMS dollars.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 09, 2026, 05:17:59 PMSplash??? What splash? FA could turn out similar to last year if the kopeks in the bank get too low, the big prizes are going to get paid in full.
Have to say I prefer Walters earlier approach of keeping the secondary on a low budget with steady turnover and great recruitment, I believe that remains the winningest strategy mainly because DB's have always been a dime a dozen and every good mother in Alabama gives birth to at least 3 more.
Hope he hasn't created a problem for himself by falling in love with his preferred children, causing them to come up short in other departments, a narrative that ties right back into the loyalty issues of last season. All could be forgiven if he'd just put a gun to Zach's head and knock him down to $400k, a discount Trevor Harris and BLM willingly accepted when their careers looked near the end.
It does make you sour when you see TH and Bo take hair cuts, and both Qb's were far, far better and more productive than our $600k guy, and then you tag on we have a $300k RB getting every dime he can get and then some---he have $900k tied up in 2 guys who turned the rock over waaaaay too much for what they're getting paid. THAT better change in 2026 but I doubt it.
Quote from: dd on January 10, 2026, 01:54:13 AM$900k tied up in 2 guys who turned the rock over waaaaay too much for what they're getting paid. THAT better change in 2026 but I doubt it.
Too true. Zach was an INT and FF machine in '25. Crap OL didn't help though.
And Brady... Brady... fumble in the ESF when we were just about to put the dagger in.
AH would fumble early in games sometimes and get mad and go into beast mode. Brady fumbles and then just deflates and does nothing. And the whole team along with him.
I miss that about AH. I used to look forward to his (infrequent) early game fumbles.
Maybe we need Lapo to run a seminar here. Repeat after me: The Ball IS The Cup.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 10, 2026, 01:13:27 AMWell we do know anyone signed after Dec. 31st is paid with 2026 SMS dollars.
No we don't. We'd like to think that. But Pete is right, perhaps some of these deals were done
before the 31st and we're just only hearing about them now. Or perhaps we paid them out a bonus on the 31st with an understanding they'd finalize & sign in '26.
In fact, I'm kind of counting on the above, because if not then it would seem we didn't have much leftover from '25 to spend on EOY signings!! We should have had our full $400k to play with! 1GIR usage notwithstanding.
Quote from: Pete on January 09, 2026, 11:40:07 PMI would have thought replacing Kramdi with Smith this year had the potential of doing just that, and to be fair maybe thats the plan with Ayers or Woodbey replacing Wilson and/or Griffin
Your general concept is sound, but you picked a bad example. Basically everyone now (incl MOS and now Holm in his presser) are calling Kramdi the "QB of the D" by name. He's the brains behind the entire operation. Basically the new Biggie, but with a good passport.
And he's fairly athletic and competent and hard-hitting.
I don't think Kramdi is going ANYWHERE until we, far down the road, obtain another brainiac MLB. Kramdi might easily be BFL.
As for the other guys you mention, it's the same old "ancient guy on each unit stays as the Obi Wan". That's why Wilson was here in '25. Until someone else becomes the next Obi Wan, they tend to stay on a Mafia team. Other than all that, I agree with you!
Quote from: Jesse on January 09, 2026, 11:00:07 AMHolm and Nichols were among the highest paid DBs the last couple of seasons and they stay in the same range. I doubt they top the list once FA is over.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 09, 2026, 05:17:59 PMHave to say I prefer Walters earlier approach of keeping the secondary on a low budget with steady turnover and great recruitment, I believe that remains the winningest strategy mainly because DB's have always been a dime a dozen and every good mother in Alabama gives birth to at least 3 more.
I was just going to say precisely what TLB said to Jesse. Nichols & Holm contracts creeping up into nosebleed territory is a VAST departure from the previous Mafia paradigm that served us superbly in '19-'23.
Remember how our best DB (or 2) would bail EVERY SINGLE FA for a huge payday? We let every single one walk because our mantra was "cheap at DB". We always found the next guy. Ya, well we haven't found the "next guy" since Holm... and that was 2022!! Wow!
And teams that "snipe" their top DBs don't usually do well. The only recent success story I can think of is SSK buying Sayles. That paid off. Usually the GC-winning teams are using self-scouted top DBs (see: MTL).
Losing our best scouts (3 now?) in the last 4 seasons (starting with Rigmaiden?) has devastated our ability to replenish the corps with cheapie ELCs.
Secondly, is the crazy complexity and unorthodox-ness of our coverage system to blame? Is it literally too hard to get new guys up to speed on our novel system in anything less than 4-5 months of actual reg season? (Hints Bonds will likely be re-signed.)
All this points to NO BLOWUP of the coverage paradigm or DL. Better get ready for another 3 man rush year and max-coverage. We'll have to pin our hopes on them actually perfecting the monster they have created, having learned from the weaknesses of '25. Read: no big FA for the DL...
Quote from: Tecno on January 10, 2026, 12:16:03 PMI was just going to say precisely what TLB said to Jesse. Nichols & Holm contracts creeping up into nosebleed territory is a VAST departure from the previous Mafia paradigm that served us superbly in '19-'23.
Remember how our best DB (or 2) would bail EVERY SINGLE FA for a huge payday? We let every single one walk because our mantra was "cheap at DB". We always found the next guy. Ya, well we haven't found the "next guy" since Holm... and that was 2022!! Wow!
And teams that "snipe" their top DBs don't usually do well. The only recent success story I can think of is SSK buying Sayles. That paid off. Usually the GC-winning teams are using self-scouted top DBs (see: MTL).
Losing our best scouts (3 now?) in the last 4 seasons (starting with Rigmaiden?) has devastated our ability to replenish the corps with cheapie ELCs.
Secondly, is the crazy complexity and unorthodox-ness of our coverage system to blame? Is it literally too hard to get new guys up to speed on our novel system in anything less than 4-5 months of actual reg season? (Hints Bonds will likely be re-signed.)
All this points to NO BLOWUP of the coverage paradigm or DL. Better get ready for another 3 man rush year and max-coverage. We'll have to pin our hopes on them actually perfecting the monster they have created, having learned from the weaknesses of '25. Read: no big FA for the DL...
The first thing the regime change did was snipe Chris Randle from Calgary. We didn't really get too many salary leaks at the time, but during those years he and Moe Leggett were absolutely among the top paid American DBs. And then we paid low end salaries to guys like Unumba and Sears to make it all work.
At one point, we were paying Heath, Leggett, and Randle while having a young Brandon Alexander and Kevin Fogg on rookie deals.
Then we had to move on from Heath, but brought up Marcus Sayles (Now paying top end to Alexander, Randle, Leggett + Loffler but ignoring Canadians for this discussion).
You're right that we had a cool window where we found Sayles, Alford, Nichols, Holm in quick succession. SO there was probably a 2 year period where Alexander was the only high paid American in the secondary. And that happens sometimes, but we've always had a couple highly paid guys and a couple of recent finds to make it work.
Similar to the way we've let DTs walk to keep Jefferson and Jeffcoat fed.
It will be interesting to see what our top American DBs will be expecting now. With Holm at $185, and Nichols and Peters at $175.
Quote from: Tecno on January 10, 2026, 12:01:39 PMNo we don't. We'd like to think that. But Pete is right, perhaps some of these deals were done before the 31st and we're just only hearing about them now. Or perhaps we paid them out a bonus on the 31st with an understanding they'd finalize & sign in '26.
In fact, I'm kind of counting on the above, because if not then it would seem we didn't have much leftover from '25 to spend on EOY signings!! We should have had our full $400k to play with! 1GIR usage notwithstanding.
I think you're making the situation more complicated than it needs to be, Walters is a pretty straightforward manager who seems to prefer simplicity. The names below likely ate up everything that was leftover of the 2025 SMS.
Signed prior to Dec 31.
Demski
Eli
Kramdi
Lawson
Nichols
Oliveira
Quote from: Tecno on January 10, 2026, 12:01:39 PMNo we don't. We'd like to think that. But Pete is right, perhaps some of these deals were done before the 31st and we're just only hearing about them now. Or perhaps we paid them out a bonus on the 31st with an understanding they'd finalize & sign in '26.
In fact, I'm kind of counting on the above, because if not then it would seem we didn't have much leftover from '25 to spend on EOY signings!! We should have had our full $400k to play with! 1GIR usage notwithstanding.
$400k, marketing money and the $100k over dollar for dollar match... lots of money to dole out.
Surprised Willie wasn't one of those they spent that on. Sunk money, won't lose anything on the 1 game
Quote from: Tecno on January 10, 2026, 12:05:44 PMYour general concept is sound, but you picked a bad example. Basically everyone now (incl MOS and now Holm in his presser) are calling Kramdi the "QB of the D" by name. He's the brains behind the entire operation. Basically the new Biggie, but with a good passport.
And he's fairly athletic and competent and hard-hitting.
I don't think Kramdi is going ANYWHERE until we, far down the road, obtain another brainiac MLB. Kramdi might easily be BFL.
As for the other guys you mention, it's the same old "ancient guy on each unit stays as the Obi Wan". That's why Wilson was here in '25. Until someone else becomes the next Obi Wan, they tend to stay on a Mafia team. Other than all that, I agree with you!
Just looking over the LB crew, Kramdi re-signed, T. Jones, Ayers, Woodbey, Smith, Shay, Novak all under contract leaving Wilson, Griffin, Gauthier, and Makonzo unprotected. I won't be surprised if it remains this way. Griffin being the biggest question mark, but they've seen enough of him to decide if someone else has surpassed him in value, much like they did with Malik Clements after 2023.
Like to Griffin back at the right money. Griffin had a very good season. 13 Games, 47 DTs, 8 STs, 1 sack.
Quote from: Pigskin on January 10, 2026, 05:56:58 PMLike to Griffin back at the right money. Griffin had a very good season. 13 Games, 47 DTs, 8 STs, 1 sack.
I agree but where does he fit in around Kramdi?
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 10, 2026, 06:10:34 PMI agree but where does he fit in around Kramdi?
Same place as last year. He was used as rotation player and different defensive sets. In some cases we went to a 2 safety kind of set. At times he may have been part of the front 7. We changed personnel so much it was hard to keep up. He did have 47 DT's and also worked on ST's.
His role changed either due to injury or the addition of Allen around LD.
Regardless he's a very good player but I understand he may not be re-signed. Time will tell. It may boil down to if Ayers replaces K. Wilson as WIL we may have a roster spot available for a DI.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 10, 2026, 06:25:04 PMSame place as last year. He was used as rotation player and different defensive sets. In some cases we went to a 2 safety kind of set. At times he may have been part of the front 7. We changed personnel so much it was hard to keep up. He did have 47 DT's and also worked on ST's.
His role changed either due to injury or the addition of Allen around LD.
Regardless he's a very good player but I understand he may not be re-signed. Time will tell.
He was also injured for half the season, which is how Woodbey got his foot in the door. With Smith, Shay and Woodbey pushing for starting jobs, I can't see how they can reasonably accommodate all these bodies. If all the Bombers can offer Griffin is part-time reps for part-time pay, he might choose to play elsewhere if he receives any other offers.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 10, 2026, 06:33:05 PMHe was also injured for half the season, which is how Woodbey got his foot in the door. With Smith, Shay and Woodbey pushing for starting jobs, I can't see how they can reasonably accommodate all these bodies. If all the Bombers can offer Griffin is part-time reps for part-time pay, he might choose to play elsewhere if he receives any other offers.
I understand that. However Smith and Shay didn't get any reps on defence last season. It's reasonable to expect more from them this season, but how much and how soon? Woodbey was a great addition as mentioned.
I have included Griffin in my list that I don't expect to be re-signed but it has nothing to do with skill or performance. SMS and all these younger players may push him off the roster. That said, I won't be disappointed if we re-sign him either.
It's kind of a dilemma in that sense. Still waiting to figure out who ends up at WIL if K. Wilson is not re-signed.
Quote from: Tecno on January 10, 2026, 12:05:44 PMYour general concept is sound, but you picked a bad example. Basically everyone now (incl MOS and now Holm in his presser) are calling Kramdi the "QB of the D" by name. He's the brains behind the entire operation. Basically the new Biggie, but with a good passport.
And he's fairly athletic and competent and hard-hitting.
I don't think Kramdi is going ANYWHERE until we, far down the road, obtain another brainiac MLB. Kramdi might easily be BFL.
As for the other guys you mention, it's the same old "ancient guy on each unit stays as the Obi Wan". That's why Wilson was here in '25. Until someone else becomes the next Obi Wan, they tend to stay on a Mafia team. Other than all that, I agree with you!
there is the possibility that Kramdl goes to safety allowing smith to be sam. Although I would also like to see smith be given an opportunity at safety as well. As I mentioned continuously sticking with the old experienced and expensive vet has been a weakness.
Quote from: Pete on January 10, 2026, 08:33:28 PMthere is the possibility that Kramdl goes to safety allowing smith to be sam. Although I would also like to see smith be given an opportunity at safety as well. As I mentioned continuously sticking with the old experienced and expensive vet has been a weakness.
Shay and Smith are the real push presuming they are the future of the defence, got to get them playing a reasonable number of snaps in their second season or be prepared to lose them once they become FA's.
Quote from: Jesse on January 10, 2026, 01:15:27 PMAt one point, we were paying Heath, Leggett, and Randle while having a young Brandon Alexander and Kevin Fogg on rookie deals.
You're right that we had a cool window where we found Sayles, Alford, Nichols, Holm in quick succession. SO there was probably a 2 year period where Alexander was the only high paid American in the secondary. And that happens sometimes, but we've always had a couple highly paid guys and a couple of recent finds to make it work.
Yes, I was talking the "dynasty years". Yes, early Mafia definitely had to pay to snipe DBs in FA. However, I will note it was us doing the sniping, not us scouting and then retaining big $$ in FA.
The "cool window" was longer than 2 years though. It was basically '18-'23 (you could argue '19). The "end" was basically when Nichols and/or Holm were coming off their ELC and needed a bump.
My point still stands, we basically haven't paid the DB corps so much for retention since pre-dynasty. And it is a big shift for us. And I still think it means we now can't make big FA plays for DTs.
Quote from: Pete on January 10, 2026, 08:33:28 PMthere is the possibility that Kramdl goes to safety allowing smith to be sam.
Harder to be "QB of the D" from way back at FS. Yes, BA37 did it at times, especially when Biggie wasn't on-field, but was it as effective? Wrangling everyone from SAM seems like an easier proposition. Dunno.
If Smith is a future SAM then why would we retain or dress Griffin as an IMP SAM backup? Use that DI somewhere more useful. Kramdi with NAT Smith backing up would seem ideal.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 10, 2026, 04:47:25 PMI think you're making the situation more complicated than it needs to be, Walters is a pretty straightforward manager who seems to prefer simplicity.
Yes (always), and yes.
Understanding KW is important for predicting future personnel choices. You nailed it.
Quote from: Tecno on January 11, 2026, 09:38:25 AMHarder to be "QB of the D" from way back at FS. Yes, BA37 did it at times, especially when Biggie wasn't on-field, but was it as effective? Wrangling everyone from SAM seems like an easier proposition. Dunno.
If Smith is a future SAM then why would we retain or dress Griffin as an IMP SAM backup? Use that DI somewhere more useful. Kramdi with NAT Smith backing up would seem ideal.
Because we didn't get the Canadians reps on defence, we can't say Smith is the future. I hope he is but until we know then having Griffin is not the worst idea.
It's more than a 1 dimensional issue though. Where do we use our DI's and any extra non starting imports ( since we start 8 or 9 Canadians ).
Every time we have a strong Canadian player as depth on the roster means we don't need an import depth at that position.
Hopefully we see the 2025 draft choices make an impact early in 2026 even as great depth.
If we can sign Griffin for a small signing bonus and reasonable contract I'd sign him. If he understands that he'll have to win a roster spot by showing more than another player or due to injury etc.
I don't expect to see any teams just parking extra players on the 1 game IR for as long as done in 2025. J. Jones for example had a contract at $118K or something around that number. D. Mitchell and Logan were others that had higher salaries that were just " parked " as depth.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 11, 2026, 03:42:38 PMBecause we didn't get the Canadians reps on defence, we can't say Smith is the future. I hope he is but until we know then having Griffin is not the worst idea.
It's more than a 1 dimensional issue though. Where do we use our DI's and any extra non starting imports ( since we start 8 or 9 Canadians ).
Every time we have a strong Canadian player as depth on the roster means we don't need an import depth at that position.
Hopefully we see the 2025 draft choices make an impact early in 2026 even as great depth.
If we can sign Griffin for a small signing bonus and reasonable contract I'd sign him. If he understands that he'll have to win a roster spot by showing more than another player or due to injury etc.
I don't expect to see any teams just parking extra players on the 1 game IR for as long as done in 2025. J. Jones for example had a contract at $118K or something around that number. D. Mitchell and Logan were others that had higher salaries that were just " parked " as depth.
You're probably right, but using the 1 games is a nice way to hold onto players waiting for a rainy day. Hopefully they don't make unrealistic promises of playing time to FA they sign this year then feel obligated to prop up their pay-cheques on the 1 game. If Vanterpool doesn't make the roster this year as a starter, all that money that went to the 1 game for non-injured players last year shall be classified as wasted.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 11, 2026, 04:57:43 PMYou're probably right, but using the 1 games is a nice way to hold onto players waiting for a rainy day. Hopefully they don't make unrealistic promises of playing time to FA they sign this year then feel obligated to prop up their pay-cheques on the 1 game. If Vanterpool doesn't make the roster this year as a starter, all that money that went to the 1 game for non-injured players last year shall be classified as wasted.
Last year teams didn't get to spend the new SMS in free agency so that created a cushion to put players on 1 game IR.
That shouldn't happen this season for players with higher salaries unless actually nicked.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 11, 2026, 06:03:27 PMLast year teams didn't get to spend the new SMS in free agency so that created a cushion to put players on 1 game IR.
That shouldn't happen this season for players with higher salaries unless actually nicked.
I have a sneaking suspicion Ed Hervey somehow knew it was coming, that advantage allowed him to sign the Argos starting D-line and helped make Robbie Smith one of the highest paid CDN's in the CFL.