1st & 10 | The Blue Bombers Pending Free Agent List

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1st & 10 | The Blue Bombers Pending Free Agent List

Ed Tait
@EdTaitWFC

There's a long offseason to-do list for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to attack — some of it already well underway — including solidifying Mike O'Shea's coaching staff and the scouting department alongside GM Kyle Walters, to planning for the here and now and life beyond the 2026 Canadian Football League season.

And while getting after all that there's also a long list of pending free agents — some 35 names in total — on which decisions will be made before the communication window opens on February 1st at 11 a.m. and runs to February 8th before the market opens on February 10th.

The Blue Bombers are at a crossroads organizationally, having cranked out nine consecutive double-digit win seasons but coming off a 10-8 season in which they finished fourth in the West Division and lost in the opening round of the Grey Cup playoffs after making five consecutive championship game appearances. It is a roster still greying around the edges but having already introduced some talented fresh faces into the lineup over the last two years.

The club's pending free agent list is a reflection of that as it features a collection of future hall of famers, solid starters, emerging talents and, yes, some question marks.

The CFL's entire list of pending free agents can be found here:

    Official 2026 Free Agent Tracker

And let's take a deeper dive into that list in this week's edition of 1st & 10...

STARTERS

Canadians

RB Brady Oliveira

This will likely be expensive for the Blue Bombers but is still an absolute must. He's a hometown hero, a former CFL Most Outstanding Player, a two-time CFL Most Outstanding Canadian and a player who has rushed for 1,000 yards in four consecutive seasons. He also set a career high in receiving numbers in 2025 with 61 catches for 546 yards. Oh, at just age 28 he's already sixth in franchise history for career rushing yards.

SB Nic Demski

Posted his third straight 1K season, despite missing two games and while working in an offence that struggled to find consistency. He'll be 32 in December but playing the best ball of his career and it would be almost criminal to see another hometown guy in different colours.

Dime Redha Kramdi

Widely regarded as the QB on defence, Kramdi can play the difficult dime spot that requires pass coverage skills and the ability to step up and stuff the run and, also, the safety position. He's still just 28 and an integral part of the defence.

Right guard Pat Neufeld

Still steady at 36 and one of the important leaders in the locker room. The club did draft Ethan Vibert in 2025, and he could be Neufeld's heir apparent, but that would be categorized as 'still TBD.'

Centre Chris Kolankowski

A grinder in the middle of the O-line who is now 33 and has had Tui Eli breathing down his neck for a few seasons. The dilemma for management is balancing the desire for continuity up front vs. the need to continually draft, develop and play Canadians along the O-line.

Defensive tackle Jake Thomas

He's 34 now and coming off a season in which he had nine tackles and no sacks for the first time in his career since 2016. His value as a leader is unquestioned, but the club also has an emerging Canadian talent who needs more snaps behind him in Cam Lawson.

Americans

DB Evan Holm

Just completed the best season of his career, one in which he was named a CFL All-Star and the Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Defensive Player

LT Stanley Bryant

The birth certificate doesn't lie: the big man turns 40 next May. There's also this: he was just named the team's top O-lineman for an eighth time and selected to the CFLPA All-Star team. The scouts keep bringing in import tackles to challenge him and be ready as his replacement and yet he still mans the left flank because he's still so freaking solid.

DB Deatrick Nichols

We've all come to appreciate how solid he is as a halfback over the last few years. What's underrated is how much of a leader he has become not only on the Blue Bombers defence, but for the entire squad.

DE Willie Jefferson

His sack totals have dipped over the last three years from 11 to six to three this past season. He's still a force in knocking down passes and those sack totals are down partly because of a defensive philosophy that often rushes just three and drops the rest into coverage. Jefferson is THE most vocal leader in the room and one of the team's most popular players – two parts of his resumé that do have value.

LB Kyrie Wilson

Quietly steady, Wilson played a full season for the first time since 2019. He did turn 33 this month and there options already on the roster to potentially replace him in Michael Ayers and Canadian Connor Shay but the coaching staff does love his skillset.

WR Jerreth Sterns

Posted the best numbers of his three-year career this season with 48 catches for 530 yards and four TDs in 14 games and, in the process, emerged as one of the most reliable targets in the offence. At just 26, his career arrow trajectory is trending upwards.

WR Keric Wheatfall

Took a step this year with a boost to his numbers to 42 catches for 655 yards and four TDs – although he had just seven receptions in his last six games. Has played in 23 games over two years and is at a critical juncture in his CFL career to either continue to blossom or plateau.

DE James Vaughters

He was exactly as advertised in his first year with the Blue Bombers – a steady, veteran presence who tied a career high with six sacks. That said, he is 32 now and the work of Kydran Jenkins and Matt Jaworski in the regular-season finale – just a one-game sample size – does give the club intriguing options to go younger and cheaper.

DT Jamal Woods

Injuries limited him to just four games this year and two sacks. Just 26, it will be interesting to see what kind of attention he might garner if he hits the CFL free agent market.

CB Demerio Houston

He helped stabilize the secondary when he arrived with 17 tackles and two knockdowns in just five games. Still, at 29 he's vulnerable to younger options but his experience could make him popular if he gets to market.

CB Jamal Parker, Jr.

Valuable because of his versatility, Parker, Jr. had 36 tackles, one interception and two fumble recoveries in 2025 in just 11 games.

CB Dexter Lawson

Dressed for 10 games, starting eight this season and his experience was noticeable. There will be no promises if he's re-signed and he'll have to fight for a gig all over again in training camp.

OTHER

Canadians

DT Cam Lawson

Mentioned above, Lawson was arguably the team's best defensive tackle this year even if his snap count might not have reflected that. At 27, he simply needs to play more, but will that be with the Blue Bombers.

OL Tui Eli

He's 29 and the club has been waiting for him to push for a starting gig on the OL. He could be the option at centre if Kolankowski hits the market.

LB Tanner Cadwallader

Consistent veteran presence on special teams who finished with 14 tackles on the kick cover units – third on the team to Michael Ayers (23) and Jaylen Smith (22). Five years with the club now and still only 28.

LB Shayne Gauthier

He's 33 now and still gets it done on special teams game in and game out. The challenge for the Blue Bombers is these roster spots are also critical for younger talent and draft picks.

DB Nick Hallett

So many similarities to Gauthier – he's trusted on special teams and can play safety in a pinch. Still, he's now 32 and teams are always eyeballing these spots in the CFL Draft.

SB Gavin Cobb

Dressed for only four games, starting a pair, but he does offer veteran experience both as a receiver and returner.

Americans

DB Michael Griffin II

Another defender valued for his versatility, Griffin II finished third on the Blue Bombers in total defensive plays, including 47 tackles and a sack. And at 27 he's one of the younger defensive backs with significant experience now.

QB Chris Streveler

Say what you will about how it looked this year, but the Blue Bombers were 4-1 in games he started this year. Immensely respected in the room, he is however at a bit of a career crossroads after suffering another knee injury in the regular-season finale.

OL Eric Lofton

Played in only one game all year after starting every game at right tackle in 2024. He's 32 and the club has settled on Kendall Randolph at the spot.

WR Dillon Mitchell

A frustrating and disappointing season for one of the team's high-profile free agent signings this year just got worse with his arrest this week for multiple offences after a high-speed chase in Arkansas.

Specialists

PK Sergio Castillo

He's been so reliable over the last few years and in 2025 he connected on 85.7 percent of his field goal tries, including a club record 63-yarder. His 6-of-11 mark from distance – 50-yards plus – makes him a long-range weapon. And if popularity counts for anything, he could run for presidente in the Blue Bombers locker room.

P Jamieson Sheahan

Doesn't get enough credit for his skill as a directional punter and his ability to pin offences rather than set them up following punt singles. That could make him potentially even more valuable with rule changes coming over the next two years.

Injured

*(Indicates Canadian)

WR Dalton Schoen

He was simply dominant in 2022-23 with 141 receptions for 2,663 yards and 26 TDs in 34 games. Since then? Injuries have limited him to just eight games over the next two years. If he's 100 percent healthy, this seems like a possible marriage again of risk vs. reward.

CB Terrell Bonds

Started the first eight games before a knee injury ended his season. He's 29 now and the team has a proven track record of finding defensive backs, so...

DT Tanner Schmekel

Was just starting to flash this past season when a knee injury cut his year short. Brings high energy and good teammate vibes but is at a position that also includes Thomas and Lawson as pending free agents.

WR Kody Case

Entered '25 as a versatile receiver/returner but an injury leaves his future with the team in question given the number of pass catchers already on the roster.

DB Enock Makonzo*

Looked to be a potentially valuable addition when he signed last year but was injured in camp. Has now gone two seasons without taking a snap.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Not much insight to gleam from that article other than Lofton and Bonds may not be invited back and a few Natl. ST vets might have reached their expiry date to make room for future draft picks.

[blue_or_die]

For the last 6+ years it's all been about continuity because if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Now it is broke and we should embrace a little shakeup. Remaining optimistic that we just need a retool to get back to being competitive but things should look noticeably different in May.

[markf]

Is Kolankowski really any good?

Does Ed reflect the thinking of the coaches?

I suspect he does, but don't know.

Some of this seems not great.

[dd]

Is Kolankowski really any good?

Does Ed reflect the thinking of the coaches?

I suspect he does, but don't know.

Some of this seems not great.

No he's not, I'd be looking to upgrade there for sure.

[Tecno]

Not much insight to gleam from that article other than Lofton and Bonds may not be invited back

Too bad, as Bonds was just starting to get decent.  His progression was going quite well.  I guess he'll be 6GIR half the year recovering, though.  That said, Mafia will often not be quick to ditch a promising guy who got hurt for us on the job.  I think he'd be great depth once he's healed up, as the oldsters Parker & Houston always have a good chance of getting dinged up.

[Pete]

Bonds took a step back this year as teams picked on him
He was average at best and with Youngers defence ie a heavy focus on coverage vs pressure thats not good enough.
 Im hoping that we are able to improve on finding ways to create pressure thru upgrading dline and more creative use of linebackers, but we  still need an upgrade from Bonds/Lawson, and Parker can't stay healthy.
 We could really use a player there with some size and aggression as a whole our secondary is undersized esp with the size of quality receivers in the Cfl

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Bonds took a step back this year as teams picked on him
He was average at best and with Youngers defence ie a heavy focus on coverage vs pressure thats not good enough.
 Im hoping that we are able to improve on finding ways to create pressure thru upgrading dline and more creative use of linebackers, but we  still need an upgrade from Bonds/Lawson, and Parker can't stay healthy.
 We could really use a player there with some size and aggression as a whole our secondary is undersized esp with the size of quality receivers in the Cfl

Could be time to give Griffin a more prominent role instead of playing in rotation, also move Kramdi to Safety from SAM, he may be smart but he's not a great tackler, rarely uses his arms to wrap up.  Allen did ok at Safety but did not add much physical presence, I thought the secondary looked pretty soft late in the season and in the playoff game.

[Blue In BC]

Too bad, as Bonds was just starting to get decent.  His progression was going quite well.  I guess he'll be 6GIR half the year recovering, though.  That said, Mafia will often not be quick to ditch a promising guy who got hurt for us on the job.  I think he'd be great depth once he's healed up, as the oldsters Parker & Houston always have a good chance of getting dinged up.

I don't know that is true for Bonds regarding him going onto 6 game IR. He's a potential free agent and they would have to re-sign him before adding him onto IR.

His medical issues would continue to have coverage. Whether they choose to re-sign him and " pay " him while on IR is an entirely different question. I wouldn't expect that to happen.

It's possible that once he's medically cleared, he could be re-signed during the season. The impression was that he had a serious knee injury and would be not ready for football for nearly 12 months?

His last game was August 9, so it could be well into the season before he'd even have a chance to be ready? Even once healed it would take more time to become game ready if TC is missed etc etc. The starters could already be defined.

[Blue In BC]

Could be time to give Griffin a more prominent role instead of playing in rotation, also move Kramdi to Safety from SAM, he may be smart but he's not a great tackler, rarely uses his arms to wrap up.  Allen did ok at Safety but did not add much physical presence, I thought the secondary looked pretty soft late in the season and in the playoff game.

Lots of if's in these suggestions. I think we can and will sign Kramdi. I liked Allen and think he progressed during his time starting.

Griffin was a good player but I'm not sure what the plan for him. Woodbey has a chance to take a role away from someone.

All of this depends on who they want to re-sign and who they can re-sign in free agency. Players may choose to move elsewhere for a number of reasons including SMS offers.

[theaardvark]

If Bonds won't be good to go for TC, I can't see anyone else signing him without a workout, or at least a clean bill of health.  He's well worth signing, even if it means starting on the 6 game.  Like Parker this year, you can never have enough quality DB's, one's going to go down with injury for sure.

I love Kramdi at Dime, if he moves to FS to call the D better, I'm OK with that too, Griffin/Allen can Dime, or HB.  We have a lot of depth and versatility, and do seem to find new ones every year.  I like what both Griffin and Allen have shown on D and ST.

Eli at C is a logical progression, if we have a 6th Oline.  Will he hate losing his TE snaps and his receptions?  Maybe...  lol.  If someone courts Kman, I'mnot worried about replacing him.

Neufeld/Thomas.  Glue guys, still able to produce adequately and affordably, with the right passport.  No issue retaining them is they can still bring it.  No issue if they decide to retire either, we have contingencies, either for this year, or next.

Brady/Nic - must be signed.  Zero debate on them.

 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Lots of if's in these suggestions. I think we can and will sign Kramdi. I liked Allen and think he progressed during his time starting.

Griffin was a good player but I'm not sure what the plan for him. Woodbey has a chance to take a role away from someone.

All of this depends on who they want to re-sign and who they can re-sign in free agency. Players may choose to move elsewhere for a number of reasons including SMS offers.

One certainty, the bombers unlikely to pursue a DB or LB in FA, they prefer to recruit them or pick them out of the discard bin.