2025 Free Agency (other CFL teams Signings/News)

[dd]

I thought they would use Logan as our primary kick and punt returner. I'd sign JA to play ST and backup Brady. Logan will play to key a role on our ST returning kicks and punts to wear him out in the backfield getting pounded.

Really excited we signed him and can't wait to see him in action. He's going to have a huge impact on our field position every change of possession.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

3down

The Montreal Alouettes have added three new members to their football operations staff for the 2025 season, including one with a familiar last name.

"Bianca Maciocia, the daughter of general manager Danny Maciocia, has been hired as a football operations assistant for the team.

The 25-year-old graduated from Concordia University in 2023 with a degree in human relations and organizational development,

but has been around football her entire life due to her father's 30 years of experience as a coach and executive at the professional and collegiate levels."

😂

What's so funny?  I believe John Hufnagel's daughter has been involved in the Stamps org. for quite some time, and his son Cole is one of the team's American scouts. Nepotism is alive and well in the CFL.

[bunker]

No Bomber receiver is getting $285K like Lawler did in 2024. Schoen took a cut of about $40K. Those two reductions must be over $120K less. Woli and Augustine weren't on ELC's.

I don't think any of the free agent Canadian signings are going to earn what they did. You really think Cobb will get the same as Woli?

It's too bad salaries aren't public information but in my mind I don't see where we spent the money.

Although salaries aren't public, 3 downation usually publishes a list of the highest 10-15 players at each position, and based on this, plus some other information, I think you can make an educated guess as to how the cap is being spent on our 46 man roster. Here's my guess:

collaros  600
brady      250
demski     225
jefferson 200
Bryant     175
schoen     175
Neufeld     160
Vaughters 160
mitchell  150
Kramdi     140
Nichols     140
Holm      130
Sergio     130
Lawson     130
Strev     120
T. Jones  120
K.Wilson  120
Logan     120
Kolo     110
Jake      110
T. Jones  110
Lofton     110
Eli     100
Bonds     100
Parker     100
Ayers      95
N. Hallet  95
Griffin      95
clercius   85
chris-Ike  85
Wallace      85
Kelly       85
cadwallader85
Gauthier   85
kornelson  80
Randall      80
Adams      80
Woods      80
Stearns      80
min salary 70
min salary 70
min salary 70
min salary 70
min salary 70
min salary 70
min salary 70

This comes to a total of 5,670,000. The cap was supposed to be 5,650,000 this year, prior to the increase being announced. This does not take into account the "marketing money" (minimum of 110,000, maximum of ?). It also does not take into account bonuses (Schoen for example), extra salary for injured players on the one game, or the practice roster, which is at least another 160,000.

When I first heard about Lawler and Bighill leaving, I thought we would have alot to spend on high end free agents. But it looks like Walters is likely spending to the cap, and probably chose to spend less on receiver, and more on giving some of our veterans like Tony Jones and Holm raises, as well as bringing in Vaughters and some linebacker/special team depth like J. Jones.

The numbers are obviously not completely accurate, and I may have guessed wrong on a few. (I suspect Adams, Woods and Stearns are a bit low if they see them as starters). But the salaries of first and second round draft picks are basically fixed at 85,000, and I'm assuming you are not going to be able to pay returning veterans the minimum of 70,000, definitely if they start, and probably also if they are important rotational players on defense, or key special teams players.

[Blue In BC]

Although salaries aren't public, 3 downation usually publishes a list of the highest 10-15 players at each position, and based on this, plus some other information, I think you can make an educated guess as to how the cap is being spent on our 46 man roster. Here's my guess:

collaros  600
brady      250
demski     225
jefferson 200
Bryant     175
schoen     175
Neufeld     160
Vaughters 160
mitchell  150
Kramdi     140
Nichols     140
Holm      130
Sergio     130
Lawson     130
Strev     120
T. Jones  120
K.Wilson  120
Logan     120
Kolo     110
Jake      110
T. Jones  110
Lofton     110
Eli     100
Bonds     100
Parker     100
Ayers      95
N. Hallet  95
Griffin      95
clercius   85
chris-Ike  85
Wallace      85
Kelly       85
cadwallader85
Gauthier   85
kornelson  80
Randall      80
Adams      80
Woods      80
Stearns      80
min salary 70
min salary 70
min salary 70
min salary 70
min salary 70
min salary 70
min salary 70

This comes to a total of 5,670,000. The cap was supposed to be 5,650,000 this year, prior to the increase being announced. This does not take into account the "marketing money" (minimum of 110,000, maximum of ?). It also does not take into account bonuses (Schoen for example), extra salary for injured players on the one game, or the practice roster, which is at least another 160,000.

When I first heard about Lawler and Bighill leaving, I thought we would have alot to spend on high end free agents. But it looks like Walters is likely spending to the cap, and probably chose to spend less on receiver, and more on giving some of our veterans like Tony Jones and Holm raises, as well as bringing in Vaughters and some linebacker/special team depth like J. Jones.

The numbers are obviously not completely accurate, and I may have guessed wrong on a few. (I suspect Adams, Woods and Stearns are a bit low if they see them as starters). But the salaries of first and second round draft picks are basically fixed at 85,000, and I'm assuming you are not going to be able to pay returning veterans the minimum of 70,000, definitely if they start, and probably also if they are important rotational players on defense, or key special teams players.

A few points: Decent summary though.

1. There are a few players on the list which may not make the AR and will be replaced by ELC players.
2. A couple of players signed before the end of 2024 and may have received some 2024 bonus money.
3. Marketing money used is a question and changes the summary as mentioned.
4. I only see 2 QB's on the list?
5. The AR is only 45 players not 46 isn't it?
6. I appears you may have included Randolph on the AR and that may or may not happen.

It will be interesting to see if the Bombers went over the 2024 SMS. That won't necessarily tell if they used any excess on re-signings.

[markf]

3down
 

What's so funny?  I believe John Hufnagel's daughter has been involved in the Stamps org. for quite some time, and his son Cole is one of the team's American scouts. Nepotism is alive and well in the CFL.

How's that working out for Calgary?

the ALS are heading in the wrong direction.

[Ridermania]

Riders have signed DB Kerfalla Exume.

https://www.riderville.com/2025/02/18/riders-sign-grey-cup-champion-db-kerfalla-exume/

[Pigskin]

Riders have signed DB Kerfalla Exume.

https://www.riderville.com/2025/02/18/riders-sign-grey-cup-champion-db-kerfalla-exume/

Exume was a pretty good ST player in his first season with the Bombers. However, he has had problems with injuries and his production has really fell off.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Exume was a pretty good ST player in his first season with the Bombers. However, he has had problems with injuries and his production has really fell off.

Always thought he would make a decent Safety if a team would invest time developing him, super athletic and hits hard.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

[Waffler]

Breakdown of what we pay the new players.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/what-the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-top-free-agents-got-paid-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

I put in this topic rather than Bomber signings because of bunker's list on Bomber salaries already here.

[Ridermania]

Als sign former Bomber Anthony Bennett.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/18/montreal-alouettes-sign-former-first-round-cfl-draft-pick-anthony-bennett/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Breakdown of what we pay the new players.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/what-the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-top-free-agents-got-paid-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

I put in this topic rather than Bomber signings because of bunker's list on Bomber salaries already here.

Some surprises on that list, it appears Kyle went fishing with some cheap worms as bait.

Shea Patterson will earn $88,000 in hard money.

Reggie White Jr. and Jerreth Sterns, will both make between $85,000 and $90,000 in hard money.

Gavin Cobb, defensive lineman Brock Gowanlock, and defensive backs Josh Hagerty and Enock Makonzo — will all make between $80,000 and $85,000

Peyton Logan got a $10,000 signing bonus to come to Winnipeg on a deal worth $107,500 in hard money.

Jonathan Jones received a $15,000 signing bonus to join the Blue Bombers on a contract worth $120,500 in hard money for 2025, which is significantly more than veteran Kyrie Wilson is set to make. As such, it seems fair to speculate that Jones is penciled in as the starter at weak-side linebacker, a spot he manned off and on over three seasons with the Toronto Argonauts.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Cody Fajardo takes over $200,000 pay cut on restructured contract with Edmonton Elks

Fajardo is slated to earn $180,000 in hard money, per sources, with $68,000 available in playtime incentives, plus an additional $14,000 in statistical, all-star, and award bonuses. The maximum total value is $262,000.


Any reason the Bombers couldn't have signed Fajardo?

[Blue In BC]

TiCats sign Chris Smith. That's quite a group of ex Bombers fighting to make their team.

[dd]

Cody Fajardo takes over $200,000 pay cut on restructured contract with Edmonton Elks

Fajardo is slated to earn $180,000 in hard money, per sources, with $68,000 available in playtime incentives, plus an additional $14,000 in statistical, all-star, and award bonuses. The maximum total value is $262,000.


Any reason the Bombers couldn't have signed Fajardo?

There is no other reason, other than spite, but wasn't he traded to Edm??  Fajardo at this contract price is an absolute steal. Having him as our #2 would have made us a much much better and imposing team to play against.  Not sure what Montreal was thinking of trading him at that price tag...best #2 in the league