Our Free Agent's Signings Are in Limbo Until Brady & Dalton Make Their Moves

[Blue In BC]

Lots of guys with important roles, but may be luxuries we can't afford.

It may be that other teams are spending their money elsewhere, so we may see some of them back. That said we've already lost Hardrick and Houston so re-signings do come at a cost elsewhere on the roster. Those with the highest previous and biggest new salary expectations are mostly likely leaving?

[kkc60]

It may be that other teams are spending their money elsewhere, so we may see some of them back. That said we've already lost Hardrick and Houston so re-signings do come at a cost elsewhere on the roster. Those with the highest previous and biggest new salary expectations are mostly likely leaving?

Can't see Jeffcoat or Bailey back, but I said the same thing last year. Difference of course  is last year Schoen and Oliveira were bargains, now they're not.

One name I haven't seen much here that I could see back for cheap is Brandon Alexander. Most teams play a canadian at safety, with Oliveira we can stray away from that.

[Pete]

So, 19 free agents unsigned, no one poached off other rosters yet, leaves a lot of work to do although the heavy lifting is done.

Brady, Dalton, Chris... that's all great, but still some spots that need filling. 

Of the 19 left a number of those we don't want to  resign likely
Rose, Darby.prukop. Briggs,
Probably the biggest question mark right now is the defensive line.
Our offence looks awesome again ..basically out Bailey, Hardwick, which we will probably replace with rookies Add in Streveler and we haven't taken the step back many anticipated

[KINGCHARLES]

Sounds like it is around $230k... is this a case of Brady/Dalton signing same/same deals like Hellebuyck/Schieffle did?  Difference is BO20 is here for 2 years, DS83 here for only 1...

Random note to point out.  Lawler is only signed for 2024 season as well and the CFL salary cap goes up 100k in 2025.
Might see some healthy team competition for top dog bragging rights.
Hypothetically if the Bombers were to go to the Grey Cup again why not try keeping the key people in place.

[theaardvark]

Bailey signed here for less last year, and was a key contributor.  I hope he does the same again this year...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Couldn't be happier at the signings today. It would have hurt my soul to see them move on.

But yes, prepare to see other positions filled with rookies.

Gonna be some Training Camp battles to watch this year.

The problem with starting rookies even if they're great athletes, is a lot of times they don't know what they're supposed to be doing and make costly errors. The Bombers have relied on a slow acclimatization period the last several years to bring rookies up to speed. Starting raw rookies is best avoided whenever possible.

[Pigskin]

We spent a lot of money on the O today. Hope there's some left for our D.

[Blue In BC]

A transaction on CFL.CA shows Richmond transferred to " retired " So much for him being the RT pencilled in for TC??

[J5V]

The problem with starting rookies even if they're great athletes, is a lot of times they don't know what they're supposed to be doing and make costly errors. The Bombers have relied on a slow acclimatization period the last several years to bring rookies up to speed. Starting raw rookies is best avoided whenever possible.

I agree with this statement so much. It's pretty rare for that talent to be so off the charts that you're enticed to take that risk. Sometimes it does happen but it's rare.

[Jesse]

Random note to point out.  Lawler is only signed for 2024 season as well and the CFL salary cap goes up 100k in 2025.
Might see some healthy team competition for top dog bragging rights.
Hypothetically if the Bombers were to go to the Grey Cup again why not try keeping the key people in place.

Lawler is going to have to put a full season together to earn the right to be back, imo. He makes way too much money to put together the part seasons he's done so far.

[Jesse]

The problem with starting rookies even if they're great athletes, is a lot of times they don't know what they're supposed to be doing and make costly errors. The Bombers have relied on a slow acclimatization period the last several years to bring rookies up to speed. Starting raw rookies is best avoided whenever possible.

You. But we just doubled Brady's salary and tripled Schoen's. these are the trade offs you gotta make.

And it's not necessarily "starting" rookies, but interchanging some veteran depth players who make 100k+ for some recent draft picks who are still playing under rookie deals.

[Ridermania]

Collaros - $600K
Lawler - $285K
Oliveira - $230K
Schoen - $230K
Demski - $200K

Over $1.5 Million for 5 players on offence.

[dd]

Collaros - $600K
Lawler - $285K
Oliveira - $230K
Schoen - $230K
Demski - $200K

Over $1.5 Million for 5 players on offence.

And there isn't a team in the league who wouldn't take all 5 of those players at those salaries. Ya gotta pay impact players what they're worth, and Walters can do math as well as anyone.

[bunker]

Collaros - $600K
Lawler - $285K
Oliveira - $230K
Schoen - $230K
Demski - $200K

Over $1.5 Million for 5 players on offence.

The other aspect is the increase these players got compared to 2023:
Collaros: 550,000 to 600,000, increase of 50,000 (assuming he does not restructure his contract)
Lawyer: 258,000 to 285,000, an increase of 17,000 (plus his suspension resulted in Bombers saving some salary in 2023)
Oliveira: 114,000 to 230,000, an increase of 116,000
Schoen: 70,000 minimum to 230,000, an increase of 160,000
Demski: 175,000 to ? 190,000 or 200,000, an increase of 15-25,000

The total increase is depending on Demski's 2024 salary, about 358,0000 to 368,000. That's alot of SMS eaten up. The cap is going up by 135,000 for 2024, but that's still about 223,000 to 233,000 that needs to come off other salaries. I would guess we save about 100,000 if we go from Hardrick at RT to a rookie American (less of a saving is we sign Gray for RT). We probably save about another 100,000 going from Jeffcoat to an entry level American like Haba. Then there are probably some savings to be had in the secondary (Houston and Rose replaced with entry level contracts) and in our Canadian special team vets being replaced by younger players, plus Jake Thomas taking a bit of a cut now that Lawson will be the starter. Also, apparently Bryant took a bit less. So I assume this is how Walters made it all work.

[kkc60]

The other aspect is the increase these players got compared to 2023:
Collaros: 550,000 to 600,000, increase of 50,000 (assuming he does not restructure his contract)
Lawyer: 258,000 to 285,000, an increase of 17,000 (plus his suspension resulted in Bombers saving some salary in 2023)
Oliveira: 114,000 to 230,000, an increase of 116,000
Schoen: 70,000 minimum to 230,000, an increase of 160,000
Demski: 175,000 to ? 190,000 or 200,000, an increase of 15-25,000

The total increase is depending on Demski's 2024 salary, about 358,0000 to 368,000. That's alot of SMS eaten up. The cap is going up by 135,000 for 2024, but that's still about 223,000 to 233,000 that needs to come off other salaries. I would guess we save about 100,000 if we go from Hardrick at RT to a rookie American (less of a saving is we sign Gray for RT). We probably save about another 100,000 going from Jeffcoat to an entry level American like Haba. Then there are probably some savings to be had in the secondary (Houston and Rose replaced with entry level contracts) and in our Canadian special team vets being replaced by younger players, plus Jake Thomas taking a bit of a cut now that Lawson will be the starter. Also, apparently Bryant took a bit less. So I assume this is how Walters made it all work.

agree with all but Houston, he would have been on an entry level contract (was re-upped after finishing the 2021 season on the practice squad).

I also hope we go younger on canadian STers, but I also hope some experience is brought in. Miller as a coach should help though.