Bombers have re-signed linebackers Kyrie Wilson and Shayne Gauthier
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year extensions with veteran linebackers Kyrie Wilson and Shayne Gauthier. Both were scheduled to become a free agents next month.
Wilson (6-1, 227; Fresno State; born: November 5, 1992, in Fresno, CA.) returns in 2025 for his eighth Canadian Football League season, all of them with the Blue Bombers.
Injuries limited Wilson to just regular-season eight games in 2024 plus the Western Final and Grey Cup, all of them starts, but when he was on the field, he was productive in registering 28 defensive tackles and one quarterback sack.
Wilson, 32, has appeared in 51 games over his seven seasons with the Blue Bombers and has 161 tackles, 15 more on special teams, to go along with six sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.
Wilson came to the Blue Bombers in 2017 after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders. He was a three-year starter at Fresno State.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year extension with veteran linebacker Shayne Gauthier who was scheduled to become a free agent next month.
Gauthier (5-10, 234; Laval; born: February 2, 1992, in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Que.) returns to the Blue Bombers for a ninth season in 2025 after originally being selected by the club in the fourth round, 28th overall, in the 2016 CFL Draft.
Limited to six games due to injury in 2023, Gauthier was again a pillar on special teams and as part of a defensive rotation in 2024 in suiting up for all 18 regular-season games as well as the Western Final and Grey Cup. He registered seven defensive tackles and added one forced fumble in '24, adding 14 tackles on special teams – the third-highest total on the club.
He now has 71 career special-teams tackles, ranking 10th in Blue Bombers history.
Gauthier has now dressed for 105 regular-season CFL games, all with the Blue Bombers, and is a two-time Grey Cup champion following victories in 2019 and 2021.
He played his college ball at Laval, registering 130 tackles over four seasons while twice being named a RSEQ All-Star while earning CIS Second-Team All-Canadian honours as a senior.
https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/01/14/blue-bombers-re-sign-linebackers-kyrie-wilson-and-shayne-gauthier/
Both key signings, Gauthier is great depth and can start and a demon on teams. Wilson is a beast. Many on here a little hard on Gauthier and suggested he should move on or not play him. All he does is consistently play his role.
Many said Gauthier should not get too many reps on defence and in 2024 he didn't. He's not getting any younger but does play an important role on ST's and leadership. He cannot and should not start unless we have multiple in game injuries or we have the game out of reach.
Wilson has 51 games in 7 seasons. Personally I would have moved on, but we don't know what his role will be or what his SMS is at the moment. If he's healthy and plays most of the season, then it was a good choice. He's due for a break regarding an injury free season.
All of this also depends on what happens with our other import LB's.
Key signings? Maybe, ask again in September.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 14, 2025, 04:45:07 PMMany said Gauthier should not get too many reps on defence and in 2024 he didn't. He's not getting any younger but does play an important role on ST's and leadership. He cannot and should not start unless we have multiple in game injuries or we have the game out of reach.
Wilson has 51 games in 7 seasons. Personally I would have moved on, but we don't know what his role will be or what his SMS is at the moment. If he's healthy and plays most of the season, then it was a good choice. He's due for a break regarding an injury free season.
All of this also depends on what happens with our other import LB's.
Key signings? Maybe, ask again in September.
Great signings, Gauthier may not get much MLB playing time but it's nice to have a competent Natl. in reserve, if the ratio comes into play he's always an option to fill in. Happy they're giving Kyrie one more chance, would love to see him stay healthy an entire season, maybe the trick is to manage his reps and rotate him with a younger player like Ayers at WIL.
Plus or minus 7 games for Kyrie Wilson this year?
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 14, 2025, 04:58:23 PMGreat signings, Gauthier may not get much MLB playing time but it's nice to have a competent Natl. in reserve, if the ratio comes into play he's always an option to fill in. Happy they're giving Kyrie one more chance, would love to see him stay healthy an entire season, maybe the trick is to manage his reps and rotate him with a younger player like Ayers at WIL.
Yeah, the idea of Ayers and Wilson rotating at WIL is not a bad idea under any circumstance. The game is more and more physical every season as better and better athletes make rosters. To some degree injuries are a matter of luck and I'd say Wilson has had his share of bad luck. I don't think he's injury prone per se, but he's a physical player that hits hard and gets locked hard from bad angles.
Ayers and Cole both spend some time at WIL in 2024 but I'm not sure both will return. Jones can also play at WIL.
IMO there isn't room on the AR for 5 import LB's and only Ayers might be willing to accept a PR spot possibly. At this point we haven't lost Ayers but that could change before free agency.
In a perfect world I'd like to see Bighill as a DI that rotates at LB and in 4 LB defensive sets. He may even start some games depending on the opponent.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 14, 2025, 04:59:39 PMPlus or minus 7 games for Kyrie Wilson this year?
I'll take 7 good games at a reasonable $SMS hit, and anything over is bonus. If he ends up on the IR, it has to be the 6 game for the full stint...
Quote from: theaardvark on January 14, 2025, 05:17:15 PMI'll take 7 good games at a reasonable $SMS hit, and anything over is bonus. If he ends up on the IR, it has to be the 6 game for the full stint...
Sure. He may have a clause that pays more for games played with a decent base + playing incentives. He makes plays when he's on the field.
If we didn't break the bank on Kyrie, I love having him around in any role. I think he should be a backup/situational LB just like I want with Biggie and we should roll Ayers-Jones-Kramdi.
That's huge depth.
Gauthier has still got it on STs and is an experienced, competent vet LB at low cost so I'm good with that too.
Two of the old, oft-injured vets I was hoping we'd move on from.
Welcome back, walking wounded.
Quote from: TBURGESS on January 14, 2025, 06:22:29 PMTwo of the old, oft-injured vets I was hoping we'd move on from.
Welcome back, walking wounded.
Wilson is injury prone yes but let's hope we can get at least half a season. At his best he is one of the best we got. Worth every penny. Kinda like Jeffcoat worth the risk.
Gauthier played 18 games last year. No worries about his reliability imo. He isn't wounded.
I am very happy to see them back and impressed that some are giving Gauthier his props.
Our strength at LB and DL will be our rotation. Just like Costco keep the meat fresh.
Please let us know who you would have signed rather than these two.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 14, 2025, 06:45:15 PMWilson is injury prone yes but let's hope we can get at least half a season. At his best he is one of the best we got. Worth every penny. Kinda like Jeffcoat worth the risk.
Gauthier played 18 games last year. No worries about his reliability imo. He isn't wounded.
I am very happy to see them back and impressed that some are giving Gauthier his props.
Our strength at LB and DL will be our rotation. Just like Costco keep the meat fresh.
Please let us know who you would have signed rather than these two.
The only problem with this team keeping depth pieces is that they seem to be granted their roster spots without having to compete in training camp.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 14, 2025, 06:45:15 PMGauthier played 18 games last year for the first time in his career.
FIFY
I'm not really worried about Gauthier. He's a good Canadian special teamer but is more plug and playable.
Wilson signing is kinda questionable. Good when healthy but if he doesn't play 14 or 15 it's not a very good deal for us and what are the odds of that? Not super good if you look at the past four years.
Wilson has played in 51 out of a possible 122 games as a Bomber. He averages 3 DTs a game. He has 6 sacks, 1 Int, and 1 FF.
He's had one good year. 2019. 18 games, 63 DTs, 4 STs, 3 sacks, 1 Int.
I was leaning towards Ayers.
I like these signings, Wilson and Ayers in a rotational role. Also Wilson can spell off at middle linebacker. Hes due some good luck in avoiding injuries and when healthy is sneaky good.
Having said that if someone comes in and beats him out all the better for us.
Gautier same thing,, hes not going to hurt us and if we are able to draft a replacement great,
Another thing I'll add is that people get way too hung up on depth charts. We don't play with 12 starters. We rotate so many packages that we need multiple guys who can play multiple spots (and depth players who can come in for injuries).
Quote from: Jesse on January 14, 2025, 10:56:25 PMAnother thing I'll add is that people get way too hung up on depth charts. We don't play with 12 starters. We rotate so many packages that we need multiple guys who can play multiple spots (and depth players who can come in for injuries).
Yes, Nick Taylor re-appears out of nowhere to play second safety.
Quote from: TBURGESS on January 14, 2025, 08:39:24 PMFIFY
Gauthier is not walking wounded as you suggested. He is reliable and proved last year even with a lot more reps as a starter he can last an entire season. You tried characterizing two players as the same in terms of their ability to stay healthy in error imo.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 15, 2025, 12:11:18 AMGauthier is not walking wounded as you suggested. He is reliable and proved last year even with a lot more reps as a starter he can last an entire season. You tried characterizing two players as the same in terms of their ability to stay healthy in error imo.
It's not in error. He's only played one whole season in his entire career. Special teams is where we should be using young cheap players with upside, not old oft-injured players on the downside of their careers.
Quote from: TBURGESS on January 15, 2025, 01:06:37 AMIt's not in error. He's only played one whole season in his entire career. Special teams is where we should be using young cheap players with upside, not old oft-injured players on the downside of their careers.
Gauthier is healthy and not walking wounded, error #1. He isn't as injury prone as Wilson, error #2. We will have plenty of new faces on teams, Gauthier is beast on teams and well suited for that role, a great depth guy and can start if needed. Great against the run. Not great on passing downs. You are over stating the negative on him as it's clear you had a bias against his signing which is fine. As I asked earlier, who would you have signed over him and Wilson? He played all 18 games last year. Reliable, healthy and ready to contribute again on a rotational basis. Know the plays, the players, the coaches and will help develop the next gen. Has the right passport. Nothing not to like here other than he is getting old and not very fast. Yes I'm sure he has been injured at times as most are but I would also think he didn't make the active roster every game as well (guessing).
Ok now for some facts, in bold to help, this is from the Bombers:
2024: Blue Bombers
Gauthier was again a pillar on special teams and as part of a defensive rotation in 2024 in
suiting up for all 18 regular-season games as well as the Western Final and Grey Cup. He registered seven defensive tackles and added one forced fumble in '24, adding 14 tackles on special teams – the third-highest total on the club.
He now has 71 career special-teams tackles, ranking 10th in Blue Bombers history.
Gauthier has now dressed for 105 regular-season CFL games, all with the Blue Bombers, and is a two-time Grey Cup champion following victories in 2019 and 2021.
Gauthier signed a one-year deal to remain with the Blue Bombers on January 14, 2025.
2023: Blue Bombers
Gauthier was limited to six games in 2023 due to injury, causing him to miss action for the first time in four seasons. He finished the year with six defensive tackles and three more on special teams before suiting up for both the Western Final and Grey Cup games.
On February 12, 2024 he signed a one-year contract to remain with the club.
2022: Blue Bombers
Gauthier posted career-best numbers in 2022 as he saw regular work in the defensive rotation and finished with 28 tackles and the first two quarterback sacks of his career. As per usual, he was also solid on special teams, adding five more tackles on the kick-cover units.
He played in all 18 regular-season games and both the Western Final and Grey Cup in 2022 and has not missed a contest in the last three seasons.On January 25, 2023 Gauthier signed a one-year contract to remain with the club.
2021: Blue Bombers
Gauthier signed a one-year contract extension on January 19, 2022 to remain with the Blue Bombers for a sixth season.
Entering 2022 he has suited up for 63 games with the club over five years and has not missed a game in the previous two seasons.Gauthier posted career-best numbers in 2021 while working in a linebacker rotation in the Blue Bombers top-rated defence, finishing with 15 defensive tackles and adding nine more on special teams.
2019: Blue Bombers
Gauthier dressed in all 18 regular-season games for the first time in his four-year career with the Bombers and suited up for all three playoff games. He finished with 12 special-teams tackles in 2019, tied for fourth-best on the club, and made a touchdown-saving tackle on a punt return in the Western Final that was critical in the victory over Saskatchewan.
Gauthier signed a one-year contract extension on January 8, 2021.
2018:
Blue Bombers
Injuries limited Gauthier to 10 games in 2018, but he continued to be a force on special teams with 11 tackles. Was leading the CFL in special-teams tackles before his injury on July 7, returned after three games before missing the remaining five regular-season contests. Did return to suit up for the Bombers two playoff games.
2017: Blue Bombers
Appeared in 12 games for the Bombers in his second CFL season and registered 10 tackles on special teams.
2016: Blue Bombers
Played in nine games as a rookie after being selected in the fourth round, 28th overall, in the 2016 CFL Draft... Recorded seven special-teams tackles... Became a regular in the 44-man lineup by playing in the final seven regular season contests.
College
Played four seasons with the Laval Rouge et Or, where he totaled 130 tackles... A two-time RSEQ All-Star, Gauthier earned CIS Second-Team All-Canadian honours as a senior.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 14, 2025, 06:45:15 PMWilson is injury prone yes but let's hope we can get at least half a season. At his best he is one of the best we got. Worth every penny. Kinda like Jeffcoat worth the risk.
Gauthier played 18 games last year. No worries about his reliability imo. He isn't wounded.
I am very happy to see them back and impressed that some are giving Gauthier his props.
Our strength at LB and DL will be our rotation. Just like Costco keep the meat fresh.
Please let us know who you would have signed rather than these two.
Wilson is not one of the best nor is he comparable to Jeffcoat. Gauthier is solid on teams but is at best an in an emergency defensive player. I'd rather have drafted a younger linebacker to take his teams role. As for Wilson, give the job to Ayers.
Quote from: RebusRankin on January 15, 2025, 02:04:58 AMWilson is not one of the best nor is he comparable to Jeffcoat. Gauthier is solid on teams but is at best an in an emergency defensive player. I'd rather have drafted a younger linebacker to take his teams role. As for Wilson, give the job to Ayers.
Unless I've missed something, the plan for is/should be Ayer's. Wilson is/should be a complimentary piece. When he's available, he's super good. Doesn't need to be a starter, and as already pointed out, Younger's D is all over the place and we need lots of skilled players to play lots of different roles. Not to mention potential injuries to 'starters'.
I was looking at the defensive games played. He's played on defense 47% of the 165 possible games. (8*18=144..78/165=47%)
He's been on the active roster 72% of the time (119/165 = 72%). I take back the walking wounded quip because it's not accurate except for 2023.
Gauthier is a journeyman special teams player that sometimes can play on defence. I still see him as a easily replaceable player with zero upside and more salary than a rookie or young players with upside.
Quote from: RebusRankin on January 15, 2025, 02:04:58 AMWilson is not one of the best nor is he comparable to Jeffcoat. Gauthier is solid on teams but is at best an in an emergency defensive player. I'd rather have drafted a younger linebacker to take his teams role. As for Wilson, give the job to Ayers.
When Wilson is healthy I consider him one of our best linebackers. Jones>Kramdi>Wilson>Ayers imo overall. Yes Ayers has good potential and will rotate and give him a run for his money. I expect Ayers could match Wilson by season end if things go well. If Wilson get hurt bad again his stock plummets. Hard to compare linebackers at times because they play different roles rotate constantly and have different strengths. I have always liked Kramdi even when he was developing. Jones is hard not to love. I hope Kramdi can continue to improve. I loved having so many linebackers play last year with lots of different combos and options. Keep them fresh and keep the offense guessing.
My comparison for Wilson to Jeffcoat was only based on their injury history. Both often injured but both very good. Jeffcoat overall more accomplished.
Quote from: TBURGESS on January 15, 2025, 03:21:39 AMI was looking at the defensive games played. He's played on defense 47% of the 165 possible games. (8*18=144..78/165=47%)
He's been on the active roster 72% of the time (119/165 = 72%). I take back the walking wounded quip because it's not accurate except for 2023.
Gauthier is a journeyman special teams player that sometimes can play on defence. I still see him as a easily replaceable player with zero upside and more salary than a rookie or young players with upside.
Based on what the Bomber site says I believe you previously overstating his injury history. I bolded more of the content to help. Props to admitting the mistake. I see him as a decent long term Bomber that has provided good value, great special teams player, rotated well and held up ok when pressed into starting duty. I think you are slightly understating his value to the club. Yes limited upside. Yes more expensive than a rookie but his experience is worth the cost imo and he will help the next gen.
Quote from: TBURGESS on January 15, 2025, 03:21:39 AMI was looking at the defensive games played. He's played on defense 47% of the 165 possible games. (8*18=144..78/165=47%)
He's been on the active roster 72% of the time (119/165 = 72%). I take back the walking wounded quip because it's not accurate except for 2023.
Gauthier is a journeyman special teams player that sometimes can play on defence. I still see him as a easily replaceable player with zero upside and more salary than a rookie or young players with upside.
Totally agree. He didn't have a great 2024. Only 7 DTs, and 14 STs. Unfortunately the Bomber haven't developed a young Canadian LB that can replace him at this point.
Quote from: Pigskin on January 15, 2025, 03:06:31 PMTotally agree. He didn't have a great 2024. Only 7 DTs, and 14 STs. Unfortunately the Bomber haven't developed a young Canadian LB that can replace him at this point.
Gauthier saw less and less snaps on defence in 2024 and that's the way it should be. Finding starting quality or even good rotation players at LB is not easy. OTOH, it's a role usually filled by an import.
So playing well on ST's is fine and his veteran presence is worthwhile. It's difficult to make a complete assessment without knowing his SMS but I doubt it's unreasonable.
Looking at the advance polling of draft candidates there seem to be more defensive players in the top group this year. Who we're going to draft we'll see.
An argument could have been made to save the difference and draft a new LB on an ELC. It's not so much about how much he makes but whether it reduces what we can pay or want to pay elsewhere.
Let's say Gauthier is getting $95K which is about $20K more than a rookie on an ELC. If we lose Dobson because we can't squeeze that extra $20K into his offer as a result, then we might not feel this was a good decision.
Now this is just an arbitrary example. We may sign Dobson 10 minutes from now.
SMS is cumulative across the roster. Some players are going to be getting more. Some players may be negotiating downwards, possibly including Gauthier.
At the moment, we've only lost O. Wilson to the NFL and he was on an ELC. Obviously there is a point for each player we won't cross financially. There is still time and SMS room to re-sign Dobson, Schoen and Lawler. Whether we have to trim other veterans in order to do so, will take awhile to determine.
I count 19 potential free agents left. Of those I don't expect to re-sign 7 ( yes I could be wrong about some of them ). Another 7 could go either way. So we're down to critical choices on about 5. SMS may not be the deciding factor regarding Haba, Garbutt or Fox. Those choices will come down performance grading and upside evaluations.
Quote from: Pigskin on January 15, 2025, 03:06:31 PMTotally agree. He didn't have a great 2024. Only 7 DTs, and 14 STs. Unfortunately the Bomber haven't developed a young Canadian LB that can replace him at this point.
Part of a top defense in the league for many years running, his stats will never jump out of the page but he does his job reasonably well and has the right passport. I believe some folks are too hard on him. We will likely continue to develop linebackers just as we have done in the past. Good at rotating, can start in a pinch. A devil on teams. But you are right need to find that next gen Canadian and fast!
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 15, 2025, 03:18:45 PMPart of a top defense in the league for many years running, his stats will never jump out of the page but he does his job reasonably well and has the right passport. I believe some folks are too hard on him. We will likely continue to develop linebackers just as we have done in the past. Good at rotating, can start in a pinch. A devil on teams. But you are right need to find that next gen Canadian and fast!
He's on the team, He's on the defence by position description. Using the " part of a top defence " is BS. 7 DT's in 18 games. That's his worst production on defence since he started getting reps on defence.
I'd classify him as only an ST player but teams don't use that classification but should. With all the import LB choices we have I expect Gauthier will get even less reps on defence this year. It's a far cry from currently calling him part of a top defence.
That's fine and that's his role on the downside of his career.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 15, 2025, 03:58:08 PMHe's on the team, He's on the defence by position description. Using the " part of a top defence " is BS. 7 DT's in 18 games. That's his worst production on defence since he started getting reps on defence.
I'd classify him as only an ST player but teams don't use that classification but should. With all the import LB choices we have I expect Gauthier will get even less reps on defence this year. It's a far cry from currently calling him part of a top defence.
That's fine and that's his role on the downside of his career.
Part of the team, started some, rotated more than usual, did his job. Shares the success. Part of a top D. Without him getting those reps I believe next man up to replace him would have been a downgrade. No BS just my opinion and you are entitled to yours. Will have a less role this year and will be good on rotation on the run downs and will be good on teams. Yup he plays his role well.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 15, 2025, 04:21:28 PMPart of the team, started some, rotated more than usual, did his job. Shares the success. Part of a top D. Without him getting those reps I believe next man up to replace him would have been a downgrade. No BS just my opinion and you are entitled to yours. Will have a less role this year and will be good on rotation on the run downs and will be good on teams. Yup he plays his role well.
Yours is based on sentiment, mine is based on productivity assessments. Bighill, Jones, Wilson and even Ayers had reps at MLB. In the past we needed a Canadian to rotate at times to sustain the ratio. That is no longer true.
If Bighill and Wilson had stayed healthy all year, Gauthier probably never sees a rep on defence. Cadwallader or even Charbonneau may start getting a few reps if we have in game injuries in 2025. That said we have a lot of imports that can play LB.
Like I said, he's a good ST player and has a role to play. It's not on defence where he's a liability.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 15, 2025, 04:27:59 PMYours is based on sentiment, mine is based on productivity assessments. Bighill, Jones, Wilson and even Ayers had reps at MLB. In the past we needed a Canadian to rotate at times to sustain the ratio. That is no longer true.
If Bighill and Wilson had stayed healthy all year, Gauthier probably never sees a rep on defence. Cadwallader or even Charbonneau may start getting a few reps if we have in game injuries in 2025. That said we have a lot of imports that can play LB.
Agree all but can't take away the reps he had and his contribution to the club
Quote from: Pigskin on January 15, 2025, 03:06:31 PMTotally agree. He didn't have a great 2024. Only 7 DTs, and 14 STs. Unfortunately the Bomber haven't developed a young Canadian LB that can replace him at this point.
Tanner Cadwallader already plays a more prominent role on ST as a gunner and is likely to end up a career STer like Gauthier. Also have young Max Charbonneau who has really good size but don't think they'll ever give him a legitimate shot to play MLB other than pre-season. He may head home to QC and sign with the Als as soon as his ELC expires.
Any of these signings are unlikely to have guaranteed or up front money in them, so all these players need to earn their spots in TC against the younger guys you have mentioned. So any of these signing are great, vet presence in camp.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 15, 2025, 05:09:57 PMAny of these signings are unlikely to have guaranteed or up front money in them, so all these players need to earn their spots in TC against the younger guys you have mentioned. So any of these signing are great, vet presence in camp.
I don't think any of the Bomber vets re-signed will get beat out. They may see their roles diminished as the season progresses. That's nothing new though.
I'd like to see a TC where we don't have as extensive an injury issue coming out of TC that we did last year.