The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are reportedly landing one of the biggest prizes — both literally and figuratively — available in the Canadian Football League's free agent market.
Taylor Allen of The Winnipeg Free Press is reporting the Blue Bombers have agreed in principle with mammoth offensive tackle Jarell Broxton, who was a CFL All-Star last season with the B.C. Lions and has been voted the club's top offensive lineman in each of the last three years (2023-25).
FYI, the CFL's negotiating window opened Sunday at 11 a.m. allowing teams and pending free agents around the league to negotiate, with any new agreements not to be officially announced until February 10th when the market opens.
FYI, the CFL's negotiating window opened Sunday at 11 a.m. allowing teams and pending free agents around the league to negotiate, with any new agreements not to be officially announced until February 10th when the market opens.
Now 32, Broxton (6-5, 325; Baylor University) would be joining the Blue Bombers this year for his sixth season in the CFL after spending the last five years on the West Coast and instantly upgrades an already veteran group that features future hall of famer Stanley Bryant and three-time CFL All-Star Pat Neufeld along with veteran guard/centre Tui Eli, mammoth left guard Gabe Wallace and 2025 CFL Draft picks Ethan Vibert and Iwinosa Uwubanmwen and two veteran Americans in Kendall Randolph, who started every game at right tackle last year, and versatile guard/tackle Micah Vanterpool.
The club has also signed nine other American offensive linemen for training camp, which opens in May.
Broxton started at left tackle for the Lions for 16 regular season games the Western Semi-Final and Western Final last year and has made 51 starts for the Lions since joining the club in 2021. Interestingly, he had first signed in the CFL with the Blue Bombers in February of 2020 but did not join the club after the cancellation of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/02/01/report-blue-bombers-agree-in-principle-with-jarell-broxton/
Fantastic player. I suppose he'll be playing RT in place of Randolph? Didn't I read he wanted to be the highest paid OL in the CFL?
That's a great signing.
@FarhanLaljiTSN
A 2-year deal for Broxton to the #Bombers at 250k per. Makes him the highest paid 🇺🇸 OL in @CFL
I am a little confused by this after we re-signed Bryant. Braxton would have been an obvious choice if we had not done that.
So does Braxton play RT this year and replace Bryant at LT next year, or does Bryant shift over to RT?
Either way our OL just got a lot better. We'll see the thinning of some of the previous rookies we signed earlier IMO.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 04:50:17 PMI am a little confused by this after we re-signed Bryant. Braxton would have been an obvious choice if we had not done that.
So does Braxton play RT this year and replace Bryant at LT next year, or does Bryant shift over to RT?
Either way our OL just got a lot better. We'll see the thinning of some of the previous rookies we signed earlier IMO.
I'm pretty shocked they went through with this, considering how many import O-linemen they're bringing to TC plus the time they invested in Vanterpool and Randolph. Seems like a change in philosophy on how they build their lines.
Not that familiar with him, did Broxton play OT in BC or OG?
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 05:11:16 PMI'm pretty shocked they went through with this, considering how many import O-linemen they're bringing to TC plus the time they invested in Vanterpool and Randolph. Seems like a change in philosophy on how they build their lines.
Not that familiar with him, did Broxton play OT in BC or OG?
Yes he was their LT and many felt the best LT in the CFL. Obviously we're paying accordingly. Rookie OL previously signed won't all make it to TC. Some may be released shortly after free agency on Feb 10 settles down.
We'll still need some but now we're looking for back ups and PR. It's not clear how this impacts Randolph and / or Vanterpool. Possible trade value?
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 05:13:36 PMYes he was their LT and many felt the best LT in the CFL. Obviously we're paying accordingly. Rookie OL previously signed won't all make it to TC. Some may be released shortly after free agency on Feb 10 settles down.
We'll still need some but now we're looking for back ups and PR. It's not clear how this impacts Randolph and / or Vanterpool. Possible trade value?
Funny up until last season when the Lions started using 4 imports I thought their O-line play was awful, very poor at run blocking.
Like this signing. Would have been better if he was a Canadian, and a couple of years younger. But, he will help our OL.
We just signed the best LT in the league. Probably means big Stan is moving inside or to the right side.
But that's a TC problem. This is great news.
Quote from: Blue In BC on Today at 05:13:36 PMYes he was their LT and many felt the best LT in the CFL. Obviously we're paying accordingly. Rookie OL previously signed won't all make it to TC. Some may be released shortly after free agency on Feb 10 settles down.
We'll still need some but now we're looking for back ups and PR. It's not clear how this impacts Randolph and / or Vanterpool. Possible trade value?
we can nolonger say the bombers are at fault for sitting pat.. some good aggressive moves by Walters, and like when we first obtained Bryant someone to build around. As for Randolph i can still see us going with 3 imports and utilizing him at guard,...maybe he could practice snaps?
Quote from: Pete on Today at 05:23:30 PMwe can nolonger say the bombers are at fault for sitting pat.. some good aggressive moves by Walters, and like when we first obtained Bryant someone to build around. As for Randolph i can still see us going with 3 imports and utilizing him at guard,...maybe he could practice snaps?
If Eli is our centre, need a new 6th as well.
Great signing.
Walters has decided to spend what it takes for quality.
Little surprised at the position, would have thought D-line was a greater area of need, like someone like Carney.
Wonder if they are unsure of Bryant's ability to go another full season.
very very happy with this signing. got to protect zach and this guy doesn't give up pressures, he is a brick wall.
Maybe: LT Bryant / LG Broxton / C Eli / RG Neufeld / RT Randolph ?
Quote from: Jesse on Today at 05:27:00 PMIf Eli is our centre, need a new 6th as well.
Vibert I guess, if they go with an American Center, than Eli.
I will be happy to note that 2 of my 3 picks (Broxton, White) in the "Pick 3 FA's, Money/Ratio No Limit" thread are now reportedly Blue Bombers.
C'mon Walters, go get CERESNA (and also DUQUOY) now!
Quote from: DCM on Today at 04:37:27 PMBroxton started at left tackle for the Lions for 16 regular season games the Western Semi-Final and Western Final last year and has made 51 starts for the Lions since joining the club in 2021. Interestingly, he had first signed in the CFL with the Blue Bombers in February of 2020 but did not join the club after the cancellation of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/02/01/report-blue-bombers-agree-in-principle-with-jarell-broxton/
Missed this the first time I read it. Interesting that he was probably our original plan to replace Stan.
Quote from: Jesse on Today at 06:43:51 PMMissed this the first time I read it. Interesting that he was probably our original plan to replace Stan.
Rigmaiden probably recruited him originally.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on Today at 05:11:16 PMI'm pretty shocked they went through with this, considering how many import O-linemen they're bringing to TC plus the time they invested in Vanterpool and Randolph. Seems like a change in philosophy on how they build their lines.
Not that familiar with him, did Broxton play OT in BC or OG?
Not sure what the issue is, the rookies coming in are on 2 year ELC's, Stan is on a one year, Braxton a 2 year.
So, 2 years of development, they could be ready to step in.
Don't think we're going to move Broxton to anything. He'll be LT you'd have to figure.
Quote from: VictorRomano on Today at 05:47:48 PMI will be happy to note that 2 of my 3 picks (Broxton, White) in the "Pick 3 FA's, Money/Ratio No Limit" thread are now reportedly Blue Bombers.
C'mon Walters, go get CERESNA (and also DUQUOY) now!
OMFG.....BINGO!