A seminal moment…

[Jesse]

I think we all remember the moment. It was 2019. We had gotten off to a hot start with Matt Nichols ( but we'd seen that before), we struggled under Streveler, and we made the desperate, doomed-to-fail trade for the ever concussed Zach Collaros. We were facing off against Calgary and why would we think we had a shot? Another season done.

But then, the moment. Zach rolls out, buys time, and hits Darvin Adams for a TD and everyone knew something was different. We now had a shot.

Today, I experienced the opposite moment. The end of the dynasty, if such a thing ever existed. Now, facing a team that had fully given up and was attempting to hand us the win, we still found ourselves down and needing another score. So, in field goal range and 5 minutes left in the game, Zach tosses a monstrous ball. Overthrown to a receiver in between double coverage.

As sure as I was in that moment in 2019, and as positive as I've been throughout 2025, I am now sure our season is over. We won the game. But I'm not sure I've ever seen such a sad sack effort.

[BlueInCgy]

I'm with you brother.  This season has felt like a delayed foray into a barren wilderness, accentuated by that end of KG years where you knew even if we were playing well (and we're far from that), we are going to screw it up.  And that foray will be long if we refuse to blow this team up, as hard as that might be.

[dd]

I think we all remember the moment. It was 2019. We had gotten off to a hot start with Matt Nichols ( but we'd seen that before), we struggled under Streveler, and we made the desperate, doomed-to-fail trade for the ever concussed Zach Collaros. We were facing off against Calgary and why would we think we had a shot? Another season done.

But then, the moment. Zach rolls out, buys time, and hits Darvin Adams for a TD and everyone knew something was different. We now had a shot.

Today, I experienced the opposite moment. The end of the dynasty, if such a thing ever existed. Now, facing a team that had fully given up and was attempting to hand us the win, we still found ourselves down and needing another score. So, in field goal range and 5 minutes left in the game, Zach tosses a monstrous ball. Overthrown to a receiver in between double coverage.

As sure as I was in that moment in 2019, and as positive as I've been throughout 2025, I am now sure our season is over. We won the game. But I'm not sure I've ever seen such a sad sack effort.

Bang on.

That win was nothing to be proud of, in fact, as you eloquently pointed out, it clearly shows this team does not have anywhere near what it takes to compete in this league. That effort was embarassing and I fully expect 50% turnover in starters next season. We need 3 receivers and 3 O linemen for starters, a new OC and new Qb. Defense and special teams are ok, our problems are all on the offensive side of the ball

[GOLDMEMBER]

I think we all remember the moment. It was 2019. We had gotten off to a hot start with Matt Nichols ( but we'd seen that before), we struggled under Streveler, and we made the desperate, doomed-to-fail trade for the ever concussed Zach Collaros. We were facing off against Calgary and why would we think we had a shot? Another season done.

But then, the moment. Zach rolls out, buys time, and hits Darvin Adams for a TD and everyone knew something was different. We now had a shot.

Today, I experienced the opposite moment. The end of the dynasty, if such a thing ever existed. Now, facing a team that had fully given up and was attempting to hand us the win, we still found ourselves down and needing another score. So, in field goal range and 5 minutes left in the game, Zach tosses a monstrous ball. Overthrown to a receiver in between double coverage.

As sure as I was in that moment in 2019, and as positive as I've been throughout 2025, I am now sure our season is over. We won the game. But I'm not sure I've ever seen such a sad sack effort.

very poetic and accurate. Pathetic win if there ever was one.

[BlueInCgy]

Bang on.

That win was nothing to be proud of, in fact, as you eloquently pointed out, it clearly shows this team does not have anywhere near what it takes to compete in this league. That effort was embarassing and I fully expect 50% turnover in starters next season. We need 3 receivers and 3 O linemen for starters, a new OC and new Qb. Defense and special teams are ok, our problems are all on the offensive side of the ball

I'd contend we need to empty the QB room entirely.  Zach and Chris are done, and if Wilson can't get on the field in spite of that, he can follow them out.

MOS is out of tricks and is too emotionally attached to the old guard to move away from them.  So he follows Zach out the door too.

As I've stated before, I love Zach for all he's done for us, but he should have hung up the cleats already.  If he sticks around for another year he runs the risk of tarnishing his legacy severely, nevermind his health.  First ballot hall of famer, absolutely. 

[BBFANDM]

At this point I don't see Zach playing next year.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I think we all remember the moment. It was 2019. We had gotten off to a hot start with Matt Nichols ( but we'd seen that before), we struggled under Streveler, and we made the desperate, doomed-to-fail trade for the ever concussed Zach Collaros. We were facing off against Calgary and why would we think we had a shot? Another season done.

But then, the moment. Zach rolls out, buys time, and hits Darvin Adams for a TD and everyone knew something was different. We now had a shot.

Today, I experienced the opposite moment. The end of the dynasty, if such a thing ever existed. Now, facing a team that had fully given up and was attempting to hand us the win, we still found ourselves down and needing another score. So, in field goal range and 5 minutes left in the game, Zach tosses a monstrous ball. Overthrown to a receiver in between double coverage.

As sure as I was in that moment in 2019, and as positive as I've been throughout 2025, I am now sure our season is over. We won the game. But I'm not sure I've ever seen such a sad sack effort.

Grateful the deficiencies have been exposed early instead of on Grey Cup day, it gives Kyle and Wade all off-season to pressure MOS and push for the needed changes that will keep the stadium full again next season.  Time to take stock and make adjustments, hopefully this is as far as they fall.

[dd]

I'd contend we need to empty the QB room entirely.  Zach and Chris are done, and if Wilson can't get on the field in spite of that, he can follow them out.

MOS is out of tricks and is too emotionally attached to the old guard to move away from them.  So he follows Zach out the door too.

As I've stated before, I love Zach for all he's done for us, but he should have hung up the cleats already.  If he sticks around for another year he runs the risk of tarnishing his legacy severely, nevermind his health.  First ballot hall of famer, absolutely. 

It's sad when they try and hang on, as you'd like to re,enter them for when they played great, not like he has this season. He's had one good game vs hamilton,the rest were brutal.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It's sad when they try and hang on, as you'd like to re,enter them for when they played great, not like he has this season. He's had one good game vs hamilton,the rest were brutal.

Yep getting on the same page with his receivers has been a huge problem for Zach this season but his ability to throw the ball accurately has also been a huge problem for the last 2 years, most of the interceptions are on him.

[Cool Spot]

It's clear that Collaros is struggling with the triple-whammy of a weak offensive line, less experienced receivers (he lost Lawler, Schoen, and Demski [for 1 or 2 games] year-over-year), and an inexperienced Offensive Coordinator.

One can only wonder if he's actually playing well, all things considered, or is long past his prime. That would be a shame, there have been other QBs with success who were/are older than him (Trevor Harris in Sask this year, and then historically Damon Allen, Ricky Ray, and Henry Burris have all won Grey Cups in their late 30's).

[RebusRankin]

I agree with the OP. Excellent post.

On the QB room clearing out comment, agree but we already reupped Zach for 2026

[bwiser]

I am not quite as pessimistic as many here. I think Colleros can still be an effective QB but not with this O line. I like Bryant and all he has done for this club but it might be time to move on from him. The Bombers need a better center and it is time to move on. Neufeld is still a pretty good run blocker but he needs to be really challenged for a job. I think I would keep Wallace because he is young and I see an upside.Randolph has been okay but I would want him to be challenged in camp next year.The receivers just need to get healthy. A receiveing core of Clerius,Demski, Shoen,Wheatful and Wilson would be pretty decent.The current defense and special teams of the Bombers are near the best in the league.The Bombers can compete in this years playoffs IF they can stop turning over the ball.The Bombers have not done this too many times this season however when they have protected the ball they have won and looked good doing it.

[dd]

Agree we need to re-vamp our O line, starting at centre. We need a #1 reciever like Austin Mack or Hatcher to extend the field, maybe Hardy from Ottawa or Pimpleton would be great weapon for sure, and they are probably tired of losing/out of the playoffs in Ottawa---I wouldn't count on anything from Schoen, as IF he comes back, he will be a shadow of his former self.

[DM83]

Zac was a,aging! The defence behind a bumbling coaching leader, actually played awesome.mgame plan. Make the opposite QB throws short, rally  amd we should score .15.  So that's what we did..  I think many games in the next couple weeks will see  the defences rose up.  I mean everyone has seem I the other teams philosophies.

Our O line is awful.  How could the management sign these guys? They are so inconsistent.
The OC is so far over his head, he's running min threatening motion? Guys looping in the backfield?

Zac is amazing to stay alive. Yes he puts the. Ball up for the receivers to make awesome catches. As my QB used to say, make a catch! What do ya want ...PASSES MY GRANDMA COULD CATCH,

Poor Zac and the receivers.  That OC should never be allowed in the stadium after this season finishes.  Maybe he brings Mueller over after the Roders win the Cup.

Or Dinwiddie should be available, how about Hamilton or Montreals Coacjes, presuming OSjea resigns. He loos pooped.

O'Shea knows it, but he's a classy guy. He doesn't want to emnarasss the kid.

Great win by Zac, rhe defense and for OSjea hanging in there. 

[Cool Spot]

The current defense and special teams of the Bombers are near the best in the league.

I agree that defense has been decent this year, there haven't been that many games where the opponents have run up the score. So many times they've been put in a bad position because of turnovers or the offence's inability to move the ball.

I think WPG's special teams have been very strong this year. There have been previous years when they were giving up too much yardage on returns, or had poor coverage on returns, or the punter couldn't angle it right, or the kicker was too inconsistent (e.g., 2022). However, this year's team has had none of those problem (not on a consistent basis) plus the Bombers have a strong return game.

So, the weak offence and poor game management notwithstanding, there's something to build on.