Bomber Free Agents

[Pete]

I think there is a good chance he leaves. He wants more money but I don't know how many teams are willing to pay that much at the RB position. I don't think BC can afford him and running is an after thought for them with Rourke as a QB.

How much glee would happen in Riderland if they signed him? Revenge for Demski,Jefferson in their minds.
Get a top rb and stick it to Wpg

[blue_gold_84]

If Hogan stays, I fully expect Oliveira to leave. Maybe others as well.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I wasn't speaking of our players in particular. Obviously if the SMS goes up then salaries go up. I just don't think it goes mostly to the top 1/3 of the roster automatically.

It basically does. Only players with leverage are going to get some of it and the players with the most leverage are 1/3 of Americans and Canadians.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

We start 9 Canadians but we start a lot of Canadians who should not be starting.

Agree totally. But since we did, it begs the question will we keep doing it? Because if so, there is even less reason to pay exorbitant amounts for a Canadian running back.

We need to put money back into both lines of scrimmage and then it will matter far less who the running back is. And since we've had slow plodding running backs for half a decade, it might be time to put some Americans with speed in there who make loading the box a bit more of a gamble if the back breaks though. Right now with Brady everyone does because he can't outrun anyone. That's a significant limiting factor and another knock against what he's worth. He can't really execute the outside zone or perimeter runs and he can't hurt defenses in the open field = stacked box all day.

[Waffler]

Seems as good as gone to me. I'll leave it at that.

Free Press:
There's a lot of core pieces that have been here for the last number of years that I think still continue to this day to make an impact on game day," said Oliveira.

"So we don't know what it's going to look like moving forward. There's a lot of free agents, so I think as the months kind of unfold we'll see who's coming back, who's not going to be brought back, and I think that's big into the decision. Like I said, I need to know what's around me and we'll go from there."...

Many players spoke to reporters on Sunday while cleaning out their lockers. Oliveira, however, was nowhere to be found as he was in a meeting with first-year offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan that went longer than expected.

"I had a very good conversation with him. A very good conversation. Obviously, everyone knows my relationship with him. Good conversation, but also some tough conversations as well. But I'll leave it at that," said Oliveira.

Hogan was the team's running backs coach for three seasons prior to taking over Buck Pierce's headset. Oliveira has praised Hogan in recent years, giving him lots of credit for helping the tailback reach CFL stardom. As a playcaller, though, it was a different story. Back in September, Oliveira took a subtle jab by saying, "I think maybe us players could be put in some better situations to succeed as well so that it always doesn't fall on the player."

On Tuesday, Oliveira was asked if the team made a mistake by promoting Hogan to OC.

"I don't think it was a mistake. He deserved an opportunity to showcase his abilities. I mean, the guy works extremely hard. He showed that the last number of seasons," responded Oliveira.

"So I think that's why he was rewarded that opportunity to be an offensive co-ordinator. And I'll leave it at that."

[blue_gold_84]

Sounds like the takeaway, albeit from diplomatic public comments, is this: Hogan is a good coach and puts in the work, but that didn't quite translate well as he took on more significant responsibilities in his role as OC.

That happens often. Some coaches are just not cut out to be coordinators.

I've love to know what was discussed behind closed doors.

[Blue In BC]

It basically does. Only players with leverage are going to get some of it and the players with the most leverage are 1/3 of Americans and Canadians.

By that logic we should give Collaros another extension and another $100K.  At some point somebody has to draw a line in the sand.

Obviously the best players get more money but you have to spend wisely with those decisions. Earlier I gave the example of the Lions giving Reilly something like $700K and proceeded to tank their season a few seasons ago. Last year they did the same thing with Rourke and Betts going over the SMS by $300K.

Calgary is paying VAJ less than many top paid QB's. That allowed them to upgrade their DL as an example.

1/3 of a roster is important but it's only about 13 players of the total roster. If you don't have quality in the next 12 or so to make up the starting 24 then you get inferior results. Our DL, OL and receivers overall were inferior to teams with a more balanced use of their SMS. 

It's clear where the Bombers need to upgrade and that doesn't include giving some of the starters a significant portion of an SMS increase.

Some players have earned an increase but it's a small list and the increases should not break the bank. Brady is a perfect example. IMO he's overpaid and we shouldn't be giving him another $20K-$30K ( if that's what he wants ). 

Brady was @ $240K. Mills was @ $123K. There was nearly a $90K difference between Brady and the next top paid RB ( Ouellette ).

I get Brady is a Canadian and home town hero But he's not worth twice the amount of Mills as an example.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

By that logic we should give Collaros another extension and another $100K.  At some point somebody has to draw a line in the sand.

Obviously the best players get more money but you have to spend wisely with those decisions. Earlier I gave the example of the Lions giving Reilly something like $700K and proceeded to tank their season a few seasons ago. Last year they did the same thing with Rourke and Betts going over the SMS by $300K.

Calgary is paying VAJ less than many top paid QB's. That allowed them to upgrade their DL as an example.

1/3 of a roster is important but it's only about 13 players of the total roster. If you don't have quality in the next 12 or so to make up the starting 24 then you get inferior results. Our DL, OL and receivers overall were inferior to teams with a more balanced use of their SMS. 

It's clear where the Bombers need to upgrade and that doesn't include giving some of the starters a significant portion of an SMS increase.

Some players have earned an increase but it's a small list and the increases should not break the bank. Brady is a perfect example. IMO he's overpaid and we shouldn't be giving him another $20K-$30K ( if that's what he wants ). 

Brady was @ $240K. Mills was @ $123K. There was nearly a $90K difference between Brady and the next top paid RB ( Ouellette ).

I get Brady is a Canadian and home town hero But he's not worth twice the amount of Mills as an example.

"We" shouldn't and don't have to do anything. The market will set the prices on its own. Agree on your comments on Brady's value.

[blue_gold_84]

Is Oliveira the highest paid RB in the league, and if so, by how much?

[Blue In BC]

Is Oliveira the highest paid RB in the league, and if so, by how much?

He's about $90K more than the next highest paid RB ( Ouellette ). I couldn't copy the link but just google 2025 cfl highest paid running backs

[Blue In BC]

"We" shouldn't and don't have to do anything. The market will set the prices on its own. Agree on your comments on Brady's value.

Ah but there is always the supply and demand in the equation. Does a team need a starting Canadian. Is someone like Mills a potential free agent at the time we will consider who we sign and for how much?

Just a guess but Mills is completing his 4th season in Calgary. He may be a potential free agent. Whether he chooses to leave Calgary and how much he's be looking for is a TBD. 

Since he was earning $123K would another team be willing to pay him $160K compared to paying Brady $250K?

[blue_gold_84]

He's about $90K more than the next highest paid RB ( Ouellette ).

That's pretty absurd and seems like questionable roster management, IMO.

[Blue In BC]

That's pretty absurd and seems like questionable roster management, IMO.

Well that's the point to offset the argument to pay some players whatever they want theory. I figured out how to copy the link

https://3downnation.com/2025/04/17/the-cfls-12-highest-paid-running-backs-for-the-2025-season/

[ModAdmin]

Agree totally. But since we did, it begs the question will we keep doing it? Because if so, there is even less reason to pay exorbitant amounts for a Canadian running back.

We need to put money back into both lines of scrimmage and then it will matter far less who the running back is. And since we've had slow plodding running backs for half a decade, it might be time to put some Americans with speed in there who make loading the box a bit more of a gamble if the back breaks though. Right now with Brady everyone does because he can't outrun anyone. That's a significant limiting factor and another knock against what he's worth. He can't really execute the outside zone or perimeter runs and he can't hurt defenses in the open field = stacked box all day.

The focus during this off season clearly needs to be the Oline and the Dline. Protection and Pressure need to be upgraded if we expect to see any improvement in the performance of the team.  I would not want to see Brady in a different uniform but there is only so much money to go around.

[Pete]

By that logic we should give Collaros another extension and another $100K.  At some point somebody has to draw a line in the sand.

Obviously the best players get more money but you have to spend wisely with those decisions. Earlier I gave the example of the Lions giving Reilly something like $700K and proceeded to tank their season a few seasons ago. Last year they did the same thing with Rourke and Betts going over the SMS by $300K.

Calgary is paying VAJ less than many top paid QB's. That allowed them to upgrade their DL as an example.

1/3 of a roster is important but it's only about 13 players of the total roster. If you don't have quality in the next 12 or so to make up the starting 24 then you get inferior results. Our DL, OL and receivers overall were inferior to teams with a more balanced use of their SMS. 

It's clear where the Bombers need to upgrade and that doesn't include giving some of the starters a significant portion of an SMS increase.

Some players have earned an increase but it's a small list and the increases should not break the bank. Brady is a perfect example. IMO he's overpaid and we shouldn't be giving him another $20K-$30K ( if that's what he wants ). 

Brady was @ $240K. Mills was @ $123K. There was nearly a $90K difference between Brady and the next top paid RB ( Ouellette ).

I get Brady is a Canadian and home town hero But he's not worth twice the amount of Mills as an example.

Is Ford worth 230k (90k more than holm) , or Robbie smith the highest paid dlineman. or even with Demski at 225k isn't brady more important, younger and more involved in the offense.
Skilled ratio breaking Canadians are always overpaid compared to nonimports.
Just look at Ryan hunter at 275k is he 100k better than Bryant?
If I'm a western division opponent and offer Brady 275k, not only do I get a ratio breaking top rb but i get to weaken the Bombers. If the Bombers match then it weakens their ability to improve under the salary cap (partially because of the Collaros overpay) either way it hurts the bombers either way