Blue Bombers re-sign defensive back Michael Griffin II

[Blueforlife]

Blue Bombers re-sign defensive back Michael Griffin II

WINNIPEG, MB. – January 20, 2026 –The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with American defensive back Michael Griffin II.

Griffin II was scheduled to become a free agent next month.

Griffin II (6-0, 220; South Dakota State; born: June 23, 1998, in Minneapolis, MN.) returns to the Blue Bombers in 2026 for his third season with the club and fourth in the Canadian Football League after initially signing with the Calgary Stampeders in 2023. He was first signed by the Blue Bombers on May 18, 2024.

A versatile defender, Griffin II is coming off a solid 2025 campaign in which he dressed for 13 games, including five starts, but was injured for the Eastern Semi-Final. He finished third on the team behind Tony Jones and Evan Holm in total defensive plays with 47 defensive tackles, eight more on special teams and a quarterback sack. He has now appeared in 28 games for the Blue Bombers over his first two seasons with the club.

Griffin II first game to the CFL in 2023 with the Stampeders, playing in 13 games after first signing as an undrafted free agent with the Tennessee Titans in 2022. He played three seasons (2019-21) at South Dakota State, including 37 starts in 39 games and in 2019 was named to the Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team. He started his collegiate career at Southwest Minnesota State, playing two seasons there 92016-17).

https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/01/18/blue-bombers-re-sign-defensive-back-michael-griffin-ii/

A key part of our future and I expect a big year.  Wish it was for 2 or 3.

[Blue In BC]

Another player I didn't expect back. He's a good player and I don't think we had to break the bank to keep him. I'm not sure where he fits in exactly after the emergence of Woodbey. All that said, injuries happen in TC and how we decide on how to use our ratio is a TBD. He is versatile and is very productive. Plays well on ST's too.

I thought he might look elsewhere for more of a full time role. However I'm happy to see him return.

[Pigskin]

Another player I didn't expect back. He's a good player and I don't think we had to break the bank to keep him. I'm not sure where he fits in exactly after the emergence of Woodbey. All that said, injuries happen in TC and how we decide on how to use our ratio is a TBD. He is versatile and is very productive. Plays well on ST's too.

I thought he might look elsewhere for more of a full time role. However I'm happy to see him return.

Griffin had a very good 2025 13 games, 47 DTs, 8 STs, 1 QS. He's only 27 and has size, speed, and is good on D and teams. Didn't think he was going anywhere. 

[GOLDMEMBER]

I like Griffin. An effective defensive player. Good signing.

[Blue In BC]

Griffin had a very good 2025 13 games, 47 DTs, 8 STs, 1 QS. He's only 27 and has size, speed, and is good on D and teams. Didn't think he was going anywhere. 

It was more about ratio, roster size and whether Woodbey pushed ahead of him.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Griffin had a very good 2025 13 games, 47 DTs, 8 STs, 1 QS. He's only 27 and has size, speed, and is good on D and teams. Didn't think he was going anywhere. 

Great re-signing, he basically beat Kramdi's season numbers in 3 less games, probably deserves to start at SAM.  What to do with Kramdi?  Long-term, Safety is his best option, Allen looked good but so what, they need the ratio and defensive QB flexibility he can't provide and they surely paid Kramdi high dolla to play.

[Blueforlife]

Great re-signing, he basically beat Kramdi's season numbers in 3 less games, probably deserves to start at SAM.  What to do with Kramdi?  Long-term, Safety is his best option, Allen looked good but so what, they need the ratio and defensive QB flexibility he can't provide and they surely paid Kramdi high dolla to play.

You play Kramdi, every snap.  Guy's been excellent.

I'm with Pigskin, Griffin was never going anywhere.

[Tecno]

Ya no surprise.  Good re-signing, assuming it's cheap.  What are we thinking... ELC + $20k?

But surely we don't do this just for ST?  And we are clearly starting Kramdi for the foreseeable future.  How do we get Griffin on the field more?  Maybe the idea of Kramdi to FS isn't impossible.  Or maybe we get more ratio help somewhere else this season (don't see how...)?

I don't often notice when Griffin is on the field... has anyone noticed how he is against the run?  Sometimes smaller Kramdi has some trouble.  I'd really like to see better run stop by our LBers.

[Jesse]

Ya no surprise.  Good re-signing, assuming it's cheap.  What are we thinking... ELC + $20k?

But surely we don't do this just for ST?  And we are clearly starting Kramdi for the foreseeable future.  How do we get Griffin on the field more?  Maybe the idea of Kramdi to FS isn't impossible.  Or maybe we get more ratio help somewhere else this season (don't see how...)?

I don't often notice when Griffin is on the field... has anyone noticed how he is against the run?  Sometimes smaller Kramdi has some trouble.  I'd really like to see better run stop by our LBers.

He's third on the team in defensive plays. He's on the field as much as anyone.

People just can't seem to get their heads around the fact that the depth chart doesn't accurately reflect our defence.

[Blue In BC]

Ya no surprise.  Good re-signing, assuming it's cheap.  What are we thinking... ELC + $20k?

But surely we don't do this just for ST?  And we are clearly starting Kramdi for the foreseeable future.  How do we get Griffin on the field more?  Maybe the idea of Kramdi to FS isn't impossible.  Or maybe we get more ratio help somewhere else this season (don't see how...)?

I don't often notice when Griffin is on the field... has anyone noticed how he is against the run?  Sometimes smaller Kramdi has some trouble.  I'd really like to see better run stop by our LBers.

Our DI's in 2025 were Castillo, Vaval and 2 of Woodbey, Ayers and Griffin. One of them was just the extra import starting 8 Canadians allowed.

Nothing wrong with that.

However I point out what that combination didn't allow was another import DL. Maybe Muenier-Bailey makes the AR but he's an outside guy. I'm hoping we find a way to add another import DT on the AR.

It also suggests Vaval might be the in game DB in a dual role when necessary ( assuming we don't lose him ). It might be Griffin depending on which spot has an injury.

Nothing is set in stone before the final roster declaration. Injuries, just hiding someone on 1 game IR or even PR still in play.

So it's really how do we get everybody on the AR etc. I think the guesstimate of about $100K would be reasonable.

At this point I'm not sure what we're doing at WIL which includes a Canadian or possible Woodbey taking that on. That would change the math for the ratio letting Griffin on the roster.

I'm thinking we may move on from Wilson but OTOH we could just as easily re-sign him tomorrow. He's reliable.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

You play Kramdi, every snap.  Guy's been excellent.

I'm with Pigskin, Griffin was never going anywhere.

The question is where?  If Kramdi is playing SAM Griffin is on the sidelines, unless Younger intends to make use of 6 DB's and a short D-line, or a 4 LB set to get them both on the field at the same time.  Perhaps injury will sort out any over abundance as it usually does.

[Blueforlife]

The question is where?  If Kramdi is playing SAM Griffin is on the sidelines, unless Younger intends to make use of 6 DB's and a short D-line, or a 4 LB set to get them both on the field at the same time.  Perhaps injury will sort out any over abundance as it usually does.

We have shown the ability to let most guys play (rotation/different looks).  Griffin won't be an every down guy.  But you are right, injuries will allow more playing time.

[Jesse]

The question is where?  If Kramdi is playing SAM Griffin is on the sidelines, unless Younger intends to make use of 6 DB's and a short D-line, or a 4 LB set to get them both on the field at the same time.  Perhaps injury will sort out any over abundance as it usually does.

We've been using 7 DBs for the last two years.

[Blue In BC]

We have shown the ability to let most guys play (rotation/different looks).  Griffin won't be an every down guy.  But you are right, injuries will allow more playing time.

That's not the issue. The issue is the make up of the imports on the roster. It's been suggested we might go to a 3 import OL. While I'm not convinced that happens, if it does, we need to remove one of the imports from defence.

If we decide to add another import DT, then we have to make a similar choice.

It's possible we go with a Canadian at WIL instead of Wilson. That would allow adding that import DT. Or we slide Woodbey over to WIL which adds another spot. Woobey could also be bumped back to PR with Griffin healthy. I'm not expecting that result but yes it's a possibility.  I don't think both were on the roster at the same time. Ayers is in the mix as a starter.

Based on the current roster those seem to be the choices I can come up with at the moment.

Most posters agree we need to improve and / or move away from using a 3 man DL as often. All 3 of the import DL are currently potential free agents. Still waiting to see who we re-sign etc.


Both Woodbey and Ayers were listed at both WIL and SAM. Depth charts aren't written in stone so it's just a question of how this might change in 2026..

[theaardvark]

I'm all for having very solid players coming into camp, the more the merrier.  Plus, we will have some rookies trying to steal spots.

I/R, P/R will get a workout this year.