2025 Free Agency (other CFL teams Signings/News)

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ya, that is good for him. Still surprised we let a good NAT go, they're hard to come by. Even if Clercius starts, injuries do happen, and after years of luxury with an abundant number of starting NATS, I m concerned we'll get into ratio trouble with injuries. But I get it, we can't pay a backup $132k

I bet if the Bombers wouldn't have cut him early he would have signed for $110k he earned last season unless Goveia was already whispering numbers in his ear prior to FA.  Again, which other teams drove the price on Woli, Garbutt or Dobson up so much above what they earned last year?

[theaardvark]

They cut Woli ahead of a roster bonus, he was under contract for 2025 already at $112k

[dd]

They cut Woli ahead of a roster bonus, he was under contract for 2025 already at $112k

what was the bonus due to him??

[theaardvark]

what was the bonus due to him??

I believe it was $10k...

We know why he was released, Clercius stole his job.  There just wasn't enough space on the roster for both.

Woli was worth every penny of what he was signed for, no doubt, and worth what Ham is paying him.

If Clercius hadn't so effectively earned that spot, Woli would still be here.  Even with him coming off injury.

[TecnoGenius]

I bet if the Bombers wouldn't have cut him early he would have signed for $110k he earned last season unless Goveia was already whispering numbers in his ear prior to FA.  Again, which other teams drove the price on Woli, Garbutt or Dobson up so much above what they earned last year?

But Woli stated he was shocked he was let go by WFC.  I think he was fully prepared to re-sign here for around the same $ as last year.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Shocked? Worth every penny? Wolitarsky? Get some objectivity.

Be sad if he was your favourite player if you like, I get that, but his actual contributions on the field are why he was let go. Physicality has been in decline for several seasons. He's not very durable anymore and he plays that 5th receiver spot. He was outplayed by a 2024 draft pack in almost every measure last season. I guarantee you if Clercius has another season like last the Bombers will happily pay him the same money they were giving Wolitarsky.

[theaardvark]

But Woli stated he was shocked he was let go by WFC.  I think he was fully prepared to re-sign here for around the same $ as last year.

Again, he was under contract already for 2025, he was not a pending free agent.  The timing of his release was because he was about to get a roster bonus ($10k of his 2025 $112k contract).

He had been replaced on the roster by Clercius, and was coming off an substantial injury.  We could have gifted him the $10k and then brought him to camp, but the chances he makes the roster are slim outside of injury or Clercius' complete collapse.  If anything, he's have ended up being a late cut, which is not a great look for him or the team after his contributions over the years.

Better to make a clean break and let Goveia give him an actual raise and a guaranteed roster spot. 

[Blue In BC]

Again, he was under contract already for 2025, he was not a pending free agent.  The timing of his release was because he was about to get a roster bonus ($10k of his 2025 $112k contract).

He had been replaced on the roster by Clercius, and was coming off an substantial injury.  We could have gifted him the $10k and then brought him to camp, but the chances he makes the roster are slim outside of injury or Clercius' complete collapse.  If anything, he's have ended up being a late cut, which is not a great look for him or the team after his contributions over the years.

Better to make a clean break and let Goveia give him an actual raise and a guaranteed roster spot. 

That's speculative to say the least. Our Canadian depth at receiver is questionable. Perhaps we draft one in the up coming draft but that's a TBD. I don't think anyone is questioning Clercius is the starter.

It's a question of cost versus productivity and yes $110K - $125K is too much for that role. It was the same argument I had about Augustine.

Good players in back up roles. However, you have to make room on the roster for the newbies drafted and you have to make SMS decisions.

It's a business and this is just part of it. I would have been happy to have Woli back at $90K-$100K but that would have been unfair for him.

Good for him getting a good deal in Hamilton and I hope he has a successful season.

[theaardvark]

That's speculative to say the least. Our Canadian depth at receiver is questionable. Perhaps we draft one in the up coming draft but that's a TBD. I don't think anyone is questioning Clercius is the starter.

It's a question of cost versus productivity and yes $110K - $125K is too much for that role. It was the same argument I had about Augustine.

Good players in back up roles. However, you have to make room on the roster for the newbies drafted and you have to make SMS decisions.

It's a business and this is just part of it. I would have been happy to have Woli back at $90K-$100K but that would have been unfair for him.

Good for him getting a good deal in Hamilton and I hope he has a successful season.

The decision was keeping him at $112k (with $10k of that about to be paid), or parting ways.  We could have renegotiated his deal to less, but I don't think it is optimal having a guy in the lockerroom providing what Woli brings (he is a fun, glue guy) having cut his pay. 

What surprised me was Streveler re-signing after Woli was cut. 

[Blue In BC]

The decision was keeping him at $112k (with $10k of that about to be paid), or parting ways.  We could have renegotiated his deal to less, but I don't think it is optimal having a guy in the lockerroom providing what Woli brings (he is a fun, glue guy) having cut his pay. 

What surprised me was Streveler re-signing after Woli was cut. 

I don't disagree. Just saying that even paying out the bonus would not have been the worst idea. It's a risk management decision and I understand it. We find out the Cobb is a good depth player that solves the problem for less money and / or we also draft a receiver in the 1st couple of rounds.

The reality is that Woli versus Cobb probably only saves $20K more or less. It all adds up.

As far as Streveler I don't imagine he had much interest elsewhere. He's not going to be considered as the # 2 QB elsewhere and would only be the SY QB on other rosters. He's not a high cost back up and has a role he can be productive.

It depends on how our new OC changes his role though.

[Blue In BC]

Falcons not offering Dee Alford a new deal. He may be looking for work elsewhere.  Hard to say if he gets additional NFL offers with the up coming draft. There are always lots of younger DB's available on ELC's.

It may be a time when he considers returning to the CFL if he wants to continue playing. The catch is whether any team has SMS left to pay a high ( for the CFL ) salary. Perhaps the $400K cap increase comes into play if the league and CFLPA come to sort of agreement on how to spend it.

All that said, he may not return to Winnipeg even if he does return to the CFL. Will have to watch and see how this works out for him.

He did earn $2.7M usd over 3 years with the Falcons. Giving up trying to continue with that pay scale versus the CFL?  He may just wait for an injury need during the season that gets him back on a roster.  Even half a season is big money compared to the CFL.

[Blueforlife]

Woli was very good for us, I would have brought him back but can't keep everyone and asking prices did increase.  We will miss him.

Nice we have a replacement in the making though, which made the decision easier.  Hope that works out.

[theaardvark]

Woli was very good for us, I would have brought him back but can't keep everyone and asking prices did increase.  We will miss him.

Nice we have a replacement in the making though, which made the decision easier.  Hope that works out.

Woli was in place, at an affordable price.  He's been a good soldier and a solid participant since joining the club, and Mr 2nd down lot of the time. 

But Clercius is more than a replacement, he has shown to be an upgrade and only trending better.  So I can't see missing Woli's declining production.  We will miss his lighthearted guitar playing lockerroom presence, but on the field, I think Clercius cemented his spot after Woli's injury.

[Blueforlife]

Woli was in place, at an affordable price.  He's been a good soldier and a solid participant since joining the club, and Mr 2nd down lot of the time. 

But Clercius is more than a replacement, he has shown to be an upgrade and only trending better.  So I can't see missing Woli's declining production.  We will miss his lighthearted guitar playing lockerroom presence, but on the field, I think Clercius cemented his spot after Woli's injury.

Can't argue with that these glue guys that can play are gold.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Woli was in place, at an affordable price.  He's been a good soldier and a solid participant since joining the club, and Mr 2nd down lot of the time. 

But Clercius is more than a replacement, he has shown to be an upgrade and only trending better.  So I can't see missing Woli's declining production.  We will miss his lighthearted guitar playing lockerroom presence, but on the field, I think Clercius cemented his spot after Woli's injury.

Meh, Clercius hasn't shown much yet, he seems to be a reliable target and has good size for blocking, but haven't seen him make a spectacular catch or run yet nor demonstrate the ability to break off a play when needed and put himself in position to help Zach out. This season will be his big chance to show his worth, right now he's trending towards Cory Watson, a solid if not spectacular support receiver.