Blue Bombers Transactions - January 15, 2026

Blue In BC · January 19, 2026, 08:49:11 PM

Either way, great to see him back and avoiding the need to find a returner ( barring injury ). We'll still be looking for the back up as a skill set for a DB or receiver.

Throw Long Bannatyne · January 19, 2026, 10:56:35 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on January 19, 2026, 08:49:11 PMEither way, great to see him back and avoiding the need to find a returner ( barring injury ). We'll still be looking for the back up as a skill set for a DB or receiver.

3DN article, basically gives the same info. as Ed Tait who was probably the source.

https://3downnation.com/2026/01/19/trey-vaval-to-remain-with-winnipeg-blue-bombers-despite-nfl-workout-tour/

Pigskin · January 20, 2026, 04:33:53 AM

Okay, Castillo signed, now I like to see us sign our best DL from last season, Vaughters.

Blue In BC · January 20, 2026, 01:16:06 PM

I count 18 potential free agents remaining. 8 were starters: Vaughters, Jefferson, Houston, K. Wilson, Wheatfall, Sterns, Bryant and Woods.

I expect re-signing notices to accelerate as we get closer to the tampering window. That's still a lot of decisions to be made.

Pigskin · January 20, 2026, 02:51:26 PM

Players that are probably not coming back. Makonzo, Lofton, Case, Mitchell, Strev, Schoen, and Lawson. K. Wilson sitting on the fence.

Pigskin · January 20, 2026, 03:03:28 PM

I would like to see us take a run at Shemar Bridges in FA, he could replace Wheatfall. But, I think it wouldn't matter who we have at receive if we don't improve our OL.

Blue In BC · January 20, 2026, 03:10:17 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on January 20, 2026, 02:51:26 PMPlayers that are probably not coming back. Makonzo, Lofton, Case, Mitchell, Strev, Schoen, and Lawson. K. Wilson sitting on the fence.

Same as my list / thoughts but I also include Gauthier, Hallett and Bonds not returning.

OTOH we just re-signed Kornelson to a 1 year deal.

Blue In BC · January 20, 2026, 03:18:42 PM

Quote from: Pigskin on January 20, 2026, 03:03:28 PMI would like to see us take a run at Shemar Bridges in FA, he could replace Wheatfall. But, I think it wouldn't matter who we have at receive if we don't improve our OL.

The catch is does Bridges make it to the tampering window and get multiple offers for how much SMS. The 2nd part of that is do we wait to re-sign Wheatfall hoping to land an up grade in free agency? Wheatfall had nearly twice the output of receptions and yardage, so I'm not sure Bridges is an upgrade.

At the moment I expect Wheatfall and Sterns to be re-signed but neither are exactly locks either.

On one hand it's not so much who we re-sign now but who we don't re-sign going into free agency. We can still re-sign our players during free agency or replace them with new choices.

It's a risk analysis question and we don't know what we don't know. lol

By my count the total number of remaining potential free agents across the CFL is 165 and 34 of those are receivers.

Throw Long Bannatyne · January 20, 2026, 07:52:26 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on January 20, 2026, 03:18:42 PMThe catch is does Bridges make it to the tampering window and get multiple offers for how much SMS. The 2nd part of that is do we wait to re-sign Wheatfall hoping to land an up grade in free agency? Wheatfall had nearly twice the output of receptions and yardage, so I'm not sure Bridges is an upgrade.

At the moment I expect Wheatfall and Sterns to be re-signed but neither are exactly locks either.

On one hand it's not so much who we re-sign now but who we don't re-sign going into free agency. We can still re-sign our players during free agency or replace them with new choices.

It's a risk analysis question and we don't know what we don't know. lol

By my count the total number of remaining potential free agents across the CFL is 165 and 34 of those are receivers.

I don't understand why they realease some players like Devin Adams and Kolankowski early to give them a head start on FA, while they let others rot on the vine and probably won't bother to make them offers. Thinking Kyrie Wilson, Shayne Gauthier and a few others may experience the Jackson Jeffcoat cold shoulder, which would be on par treatment for long term veterans.

Blue In BC · January 20, 2026, 09:36:48 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 20, 2026, 07:52:26 PMI don't understand why they realease some players like Devin Adams and Kolankowski early to give them a head start on FA, while they let others rot on the vine and probably won't bother to make them offers. Thinking Kyrie Wilson, Shayne Gauthier and a few others may experience the Jackson Jeffcoat cold shoulder, which would be on par treatment for long term veterans.

It might not be that simple. They may have decided to move on from some players early. In other cases contracts offered may still be re-negotiated which could include lower numbers and reduced role.

I don't think it's an issue of cold shoulder and we don't know what conversations they've had we the currently un-signed.

Jesse · January 20, 2026, 09:45:20 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 20, 2026, 07:52:26 PMI don't understand why they realease some players like Devin Adams and Kolankowski early to give them a head start on FA, while they let others rot on the vine and probably won't bother to make them offers. Thinking Kyrie Wilson, Shayne Gauthier and a few others may experience the Jackson Jeffcoat cold shoulder, which would be on par treatment for long term veterans.

The standard practice is obviously for players to go to FA. Teams have probably given them their best offers or told them not to expect an offer and life goes on.

Certain players, on a case by case basis, are probably told early that they are no longer in the teams plans and ask for their release. I don't think there's any standard practice to who they will or will not release early. It's simply something that comes up under certain circumstances.

Throw Long Bannatyne · January 20, 2026, 10:33:58 PM

Quote from: Jesse on January 20, 2026, 09:45:20 PMThe standard practice is obviously for players to go to FA. Teams have probably given them their best offers or told them not to expect an offer and life goes on.

Certain players, on a case by case basis, are probably told early that they are no longer in the teams plans and ask for their release. I don't think there's any standard practice to who they will or will not release early. It's simply something that comes up under certain circumstances.

Good point, both Kola and Adams signed with other teams shortly after their release, maybe their agents knew they had serious interest and encouraged them to ask for early release so they could sign before FA opened. Other un-signed players just drift into FA hoping for something good to happen.

Throw Long Bannatyne · January 20, 2026, 11:08:39 PM

Neuf suggesting Eli is next man up at Center.

bunker · **Today** at 12:23:55 AM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 20, 2026, 11:08:39 PM

Neuf suggesting Eli is next man up at Center.

It does sound like it, although he said he was looking forward to him taking that next step at camp and competing there, so maybe they bring in someone else?

Neufeld seems quite smart and well spoken, could see him getting into coaching when he's done.