Blue Bombers sign Redha Kramdi to two-year contract extension

Waffler · December 17, 2025, 02:32:50 PM

Quote from: Tecno on December 16, 2025, 08:01:32 PMAnd yet, so far, it appears we are doing way more 3's and 2's than last FA

I think it's the extra cap money. Walters says I can offer you more but I need a multi-year in return. Nothing more sinister than that.

theaardvark · December 17, 2025, 02:57:04 PM

Getting key NATs under extended contract is the cornerstone of FA.

Kramdi is a leader and a thumper, and embodies the MOS style of play.

So happy he's back.

bunker · December 17, 2025, 04:52:39 PM

Quote from: Tecno on December 16, 2025, 08:01:32 PMAnd yet, so far, it appears we are doing way more 3's and 2's than last FA. No need to speculate, though: let's just wait until most of FA is done and then just count how many 2 & 3 year deals in FA26 vs FA25. It will either be true, or not. After that, we can figure out the "why".

I'll put my tinfoil hat on, and point out that they negotiate a new broadcasting deal in 2026. Maybe Walters knows or is betting that with the increased $, the cap will go up, and is locking down longer contracts now, which may look like relative bargains under the new cap.

Tecno · December 17, 2025, 06:05:22 PM

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on December 16, 2025, 11:22:11 PMWhen the dollars are announced on Kramdi I'm sure we paid the very top dollar on this contract just like we did with Oliveira.

Define "top dollar". I doubt we paid Kramdi more than T.Jones or Kyrie or Holm. Kramdi is still not Pickett, talent-wise. His only salary ammo is his passport. I bet Kramdi got a nice 10-15% bump over his last contract. But he's not getting $200k+ like the superNATs get.

Tecno · December 17, 2025, 06:07:02 PM

Quote from: bunker on December 17, 2025, 04:52:39 PMI'll put my tinfoil hat on, and point out that they negotiate a new broadcasting deal in 2026. Maybe Walters knows or is betting that with the increased $, the cap will go up, and is locking down longer contracts now, which may look like relative bargains under the new cap.

Agreed. That's part of it. From all appearances it seems the cap is going to go up every year, and by more than any CBA mandated minimum.

HAM was the first to front-load all of these cap increases when they overpaid Kenny last season. By FA27 we'll look at Kenny's last deal and think it was cheap.

Jesse · December 17, 2025, 06:36:52 PM

Quote from: Tecno on December 17, 2025, 06:05:22 PMDefine "top dollar". I doubt we paid Kramdi more than T.Jones or Kyrie or Holm. Kramdi is still not Pickett, talent-wise. His only salary ammo is his passport. I bet Kramdi got a nice 10-15% bump over his last contract. But he's not getting $200k+ like the superNATs get.

Last year there was Ford making 230k+ and everyone else on the top 15 list was making between 135 - 160, with most around 145k.=, which is what Kramdi made.

The top end American money for DBs this year seems to be at 175k for the moment. I'd imagine all of Kramdi, Holms, and Nichols are going to be wanting around that mark (or even trying to beat it). Can we do it for all of them?

Tecno · December 17, 2025, 07:10:55 PM

Quote from: Jesse on December 17, 2025, 06:36:52 PMLast year there was Ford making 230k+ and everyone else on the top 15 list was making between 135 - 160, with most around 145k.=, which is what Kramdi made.

The top end American money for DBs this year seems to be at 175k for the moment. I'd imagine all of Kramdi, Holms, and Nichols are going to be wanting around that mark (or even trying to beat it). Can we do it for all of them?

Ya, but as you know, Kramdi isn't Ford. Not even in the same ballpark. 15% raise would put him around $165 which seems reasonable compared to Holm/Nichols once you factor in the passport bump -- and the fact he seems to be the brains of the operation now.

I'm pretty sure everyone not named Holm will have to be realistic about what we can pay them. None are superstars (Nichols has fallen off a bit), and many are aging. And we almost always find 1 good ELC in TC. The older guys will have to take discounts (or simply no raises) to stay.

Throw Long Bannatyne · December 17, 2025, 07:44:37 PM

Quote from: Tecno on December 17, 2025, 07:10:55 PMYa, but as you know, Kramdi isn't Ford. Not even in the same ballpark. 15% raise would put him around $165 which seems reasonable compared to Holm/Nichols once you factor in the passport bump -- and the fact he seems to be the brains of the operation now.

I'm pretty sure everyone not named Holm will have to be realistic about what we can pay them. None are superstars (Nichols has fallen off a bit), and many are aging. And we almost always find 1 good ELC in TC. The older guys will have to take discounts (or simply no raises) to stay.

Nichols might have to be satisfied with what they're already paying him, Kramdi and Holm probably received $10-20k bumps.

RebusRankin · December 17, 2025, 09:43:03 PM

Kramdi is a good keep by the club. We might let one of Holm and Nichols go due to cost.

peg_city · December 22, 2025, 04:24:47 PM

2026 - 180K
2027 - 185K

Hard money.
Portion of 2027 is guaranteed.

All per 3 down nation

Blue In BC · December 22, 2025, 04:28:10 PM

Quote from: peg_city on December 22, 2025, 04:24:47 PM2026 - 180K
2027 - 185K

Hard money.
Portion of 2027 is guaranteed.

All per 3 down nation

A bit more than I thought. IIRC he was at $145K in 2025. With just a small bump in 2027 on a 2 year deal, maybe not so bad a deal.

Throw Long Bannatyne · December 22, 2025, 04:45:31 PM

Quote from: peg_city on December 22, 2025, 04:24:47 PM2026 - 180K
2027 - 185K

Hard money.
Portion of 2027 is guaranteed.

All per 3 down nation

Kramdi? Wow, seems like an over pay, who would steal him away if they only offered to pay him $140k?

Blue In BC · December 22, 2025, 04:51:01 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 22, 2025, 04:45:31 PMKramdi? Wow, seems like an over pay, who would steal him away if they only offered to pay him $140k?

It is more than Pickett, Campbell and Dequoy got in 2025. They are all potential free agents IIRC and could be getting big raises too. This SMS would have made him # 2 top paid in 2025.

theaardvark · December 22, 2025, 05:17:37 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on December 22, 2025, 04:45:31 PMKramdi? Wow, seems like an over pay, who would steal him away if they only offered to pay him $140k?

With the cap having risen, and with his play and his leadership, I think this is a fair number, not sure how much signing bonus is included using 2025 SMS, but I'd guess there is some.

Would someone steal him away at $160 if we offered $140? I think that's a given. "Ratio breakers" get a premium. And he's a little better than just a ratio breaker. He's playing his spot in spite of his passport.

Blue In BC · December 22, 2025, 05:22:56 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on December 22, 2025, 05:17:37 PMWith the cap having risen, and with his play and his leadership, I think this is a fair number, not sure how much signing bonus is included using 2025 SMS, but I'd guess there is some.

Would someone steal him away at $160 if we offered $140? I think that's a given. "Ratio breakers" get a premium. And he's a little better than just a ratio breaker. He's playing his spot in spite of his passport.

We'll never know for sure. Yes he's a ratio breaker but most teams have excellent SAM's and don't need to change the ratio at that position.

Yes the SMS increased but that's nearly $100K spent on just Oliveria and Kramdi. Demski and Lawson got more as well.

Regardless I'm glad we're re-signing our top Canadian starters before free agency tampering window.

The big question is how much was 2025 SMS or 2026 marketing money and the end 2026 SMS hit.