Blue Bombers sign All-CFL halfback Evan Holm to two-year contract extension
WINNIPEG, MB., January 6, 2026 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a two-year extension with veteran defensive back Evan Holm.
He was scheduled to become a free agent in February.
Holm (5-11, 188; University of North Dakota; born: May 14, 1998, in Edina, MN.) returns in 2026 for his fifth year with the Blue Bombers and following a 2025 season that was the best in his Canadian Football League career.
Holm was named to the CFL and West Division All-Star teams in 2025 and was also saluted as the Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Defensive player after finishing with 55 tackles, six more on special teams, two forced fumbles and a team high four interceptions.
He started all 18 regular-season games and the Eastern Semi-Final in 2025 and has not missed a single contest since 2023, with 63 games – all as a Blue Bomber – now to his name.
Holm dressed for 47 games, starting 25, during his days with the Fighting Hawks and earned All-Missouri Valley Football Conference honours during his redshirt senior season (2020-21) and was named as an honourable mention to the MVFC All-Academic Team. Holm was named UND's most-valuable defensive back in his junior season and as a freshman was named to the Big Sky All-Academic Team.
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Evan Holm will be interviewed by the media on Thursday, January 8 at 11:30 a.m. CT.
And the 3downnation breakdown of his contract comes out when? Eli's too, please.
Excellent. I hoped he'd be back but thought it might take a bit longer due to his workout in the NFL.
This is the guy we should and probably did break the bank for. At least in terms of American starting dollars.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 06, 2026, 07:46:32 PMAnd the 3downnation breakdown of his contract comes out when? Eli's too, please.
Should parallel Nichols contract, no more, no less.
Well done Walters cuz Holm was a must
wonder if we have interest in re-signing Houston? Im not sure how much money we have left to spend on the secondary, but we had problems ly with our corners til he was signed
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 06, 2026, 09:46:05 PMShould parallel Nichols contract, no more, no less.
Nichols has been petering off for 2 seasons now. Still reliable, but QBs/OCs aren't scared of him anymore. I just think it's an age thing. So in that regard, Holm should get more than Nichols. However, he may have taken the same in the spirit of fairness.
Quote from: Pete on January 07, 2026, 01:30:17 AMwonder if we have interest in re-signing Houston? Im not sure how much money we have left to spend on the secondary, but we had problems ly with our corners til he was signed
Houston was basically couch-bound until we called him up. And he acquitted himself quite well. If we re-sign Bonds (I think we will) we'll still need someone to run the corner until he's better. Plus, no Parker now.
If we assume we scout one good DB this year, we'll still be needing the depth and experience. Since Houston should be somewhat budget (just have to not hurt his pride), I don't see how you let him walk.
Quote from: Tecno on January 07, 2026, 08:36:55 AMHouston was basically couch-bound until we called him up. And he acquitted himself quite well. If we re-sign Bonds (I think we will) we'll still need someone to run the corner until he's better. Plus, no Parker now.
If we assume we scout one good DB this year, we'll still be needing the depth and experience. Since Houston should be somewhat budget (just have to not hurt his pride), I don't see how you let him walk.
Houston and Bonds both turn 30 this year. Still young enough to play but we also need some younger DB's as well. I think Houston is back. He's a little bigger and more experienced and I'm still worried about Bonds injury status.
Lawson is a potential free agent so he might be anything from starter to depth if re-signed.
Key signing.
Evan is a dedicated cat.
Welcome back!
Houston never lost his job for performance. Once cleared, he was back, and knowing he'd have a spot this upcoming year his preparedness for the new season could advance where he was at the end of the year.
Anyone have an estimate on the $?
Amazing news, happy its for 2
Quote from: Blueforlife on Today at 12:49:38 AMAnyone have an estimate on the $?
Nothing yet, just guesses. We might need a 3down "highest paid DBs" list before we get the real story.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 07, 2026, 10:04:58 PMHouston never lost his job for performance. Once cleared, he was back
CGY seemed perfectly happy to let him go. I think it was more than just injury. $$ and age worked against him. And he never lit it up in CGY like he did here. M.Sayles has been the poster child for sustained success after leaving WFC.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have made Evan Holm the CFL's highest-paid American defensive back, per league sources.
The 27-year-old signed a two-year contract extension with the team on Tuesday, which included an $80,000 signing bonus. Holm will also receive $71,700 in salary, $15,300 in housing, $10,000 in marketing, and a $3,000 travel bonus. In total, he will earn $180,000 in hard money in 2026, plus up to $6,000 in all-star and awards incentives.
https://3downnation.com/2026/01/08/winnipeg-blue-bombers-make-evan-holm-cfls-highest-paid-american-db/
Makes sense and not surprised. Better use of SMS than throwing dump trucks full to Brady. Half backs of his caliber are rare. We should probably limit his ST usage a bit this year although it will be hard because he's probably also the best edge setter on kick coverage in the league by a pretty wide margin.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on Today at 01:44:22 PMMakes sense and not surprised. Better use of SMS than throwing dump trucks full to Brady. Half backs of his caliber are rare. We should probably limit his ST usage a bit this year although it will be hard because he's probably also the best edge setter on kick coverage in the league by a pretty wide margin.
I agree. He's as solid as you can get. It's the nature of the higher SMS being spent. Still lots of other DB's not re-signed that might get more I suppose but to each team their choice.
We are going to have an expensive secondary though.