2025 Free Agency (other CFL teams Signings/News)

[Pete]

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

Is Goveia trying to use his new gm postion to retroactively justify all his scouting recommendations? These moves really undermine Hamiltons scouting staff if they have any.

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?

Likely because with Fajardo sees a greater likelihood of playing time and earning the playtime bonuses, otherwise he could have not signed the restructured contract and become a free agent

[Blue In BC]

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?

He was traded for MBT and was not a free agent.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Is Goveia trying to use his new gm postion to retroactively justify all his scouting recommendations? These moves really undermine Hamiltons scouting staff if they have any.
Likely because with Fajardo sees a greater likelihood of playing time and earning the playtime bonuses, otherwise he could have not signed the restructured contract and become a free agent

Thought of this too, quite possibly Cody saw an opportunity to steal the starting job away from Ford and approved the trade to the Elks.  Don't think it'll happen but you never know.

[Pigskin]

Thought of this too, quite possibly Cody saw an opportunity to steal the starting job away from Ford and approved the trade to the Elks.  Don't think it'll happen but you never know.

I believe Cody couldn't stand listening to those horns for another season.

[blue_gold_84]

I believe Cody couldn't stand listening to those horns for another season.

Big if true.

[Waffler]

Hamilton signing yet another former Bomber.  Chris Smith.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/hamilton-tiger-cats-sign-preseason-hero-chris-smith-one-other/

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Hamilton signing yet another former Bomber.  Chris Smith.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/hamilton-tiger-cats-sign-preseason-hero-chris-smith-one-other/

Probably signed as a backup to Greg Bell, who looked to be a decent RB on a team that never really tries hard to run the ball.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

[blue_gold_84]

I hope the Ti-Cats pull a 2024-25 Nashville Predators this upcoming season.

[theaardvark]

Stubblefield, Amos, Dobson, Lawler... yes, HAM signed some talent.

But Fox, Garbutt, Cole, Wolitarsky, Szott, Bruggeling aren't game changers. 

BLM is a year older.

They lost Beard and Dunbar.

They are not in the running for a cup, the 2 year deal they paid Lawler is going to be over before they challenge for a cup, possibly not even making the playoffs.

If I were Lawler, I'd have put in a bonus for him hitting his numbers but the team *not* making the playoffs, as compensation for the team not living up to their promise.

Hamilton will be lucky to make the post season, Toronto has to crater hard for them to get in.  EDM might even cross over... think it might be the battle of the big spenders for the final playoff spot.

[Waffler]

Augustine to Hamilton.
https://3downnation.com/2025/02/21/hamilton-bomber-cats-canadian-rb-johnny-augustine-becomes-eighth-ex-winnipeg-player-to-signs-with-ticats/

[LXTSN]

Stubblefield, Amos, Dobson, Lawler... yes, HAM signed some talent.

But Fox, Garbutt, Cole, Wolitarsky, Szott, Bruggeling aren't game changers. 

BLM is a year older.

They lost Beard and Dunbar.

They are not in the running for a cup, the 2 year deal they paid Lawler is going to be over before they challenge for a cup, possibly not even making the playoffs.

If I were Lawler, I'd have put in a bonus for him hitting his numbers but the team *not* making the playoffs, as compensation for the team not living up to their promise.

Hamilton will be lucky to make the post season, Toronto has to crater hard for them to get in.  EDM might even cross over... think it might be the battle of the big spenders for the final playoff spot.

That's true. It seems they have been signing all our guys but it's not really a ton of big names. Just quantity over quality.

[blue_gold_84]

Augustine to Hamilton.
https://3downnation.com/2025/02/21/hamilton-bomber-cats-canadian-rb-johnny-augustine-becomes-eighth-ex-winnipeg-player-to-signs-with-ticats/

The Goveia Effect?

[Blue In BC]

The Goveia Effect?

Sorry to see him go and I wish him well in Hamilton. It's the nature of free agency, roster size and new players coming onto the roster. You can't keep everyone and find a role for them.

[theaardvark]

Logan signalled the end for Johnny.  Its too bad, I really like him here.  But it makes sense, and again, Goviea signs an ex-Bomber.  I don't think there was a player he signed, though, that Walters actually wanted without overpaying dramatically, so he really didn't "steal" anyone, but he did give a soft landing for a bunch of players we had moved on from.