https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/01/26/blue-bombers-re-sign-future-hall-of-famer-stanley-bryant/
To be expected. To everyone who thinks this is a great signing, I don't want to see you complaining when he gets beat by younger faster players.
Quote from: TBURGESS on January 26, 2026, 03:20:17 PMTo be expected. To everyone who thinks this is a great signing, I don't want to see you complaining when he gets beat by younger faster players.
Got to wait and see how he handles things. Just not sure this is a good signing but would love to be surprised.
Blue Bombers Re-Sign Future Hall of Famer Stanley Bryant
WINNIPEG, MB., January 26, 2026 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with future hall of fame left tackle, Stanley Bryant. He was scheduled to become a free agent in February.
Bryant (6-4, 313; East Carolina University; born: May 7, 1986, in Goldsboro, NC) returns in 2026 for his 11th season with the Blue Bombers and 16th in the Canadian Football League, including his days with the Calgary Stampeders (2010-14).
He is the most-decorated offensive lineman in CFL history, having been saluted as the league's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman four times (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022).
Bryant is coming off a 2025 campaign in which he was again a steady and commanding presence at left tackle, helping running back Brady Oliveira rush for over 1,000 yards for a fourth straight season as the Blue Bombers offence finished second in the league in rushing yardage per game (124.1).
Bryant was also again named the Blue Bombers Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman in 2025 for the seventh time (2017-22, 2024-25).
Now 39, Bryant has suited up for 234 regular-season games during his CFL career, including 200 with the Blue Bombers – sixth most in franchise history – and has started every one of them. He is a three-time Grey Cup champion, having won in 2019 and 2021 with the Blue Bombers and in 2014 with the Stampeders.
Will continue to be a key cog on our line and this is fantastic news
Just gotta find a couple more bodies for this year and our future now
It sure feels like the only changes aare gonna be in switching out peripheral players for other similar ones. I hope walters proves me wrong
Crazy he'll be 40 in May.
I'm quite happy about this for a few reasons:
- Consistency
- He's still a top OL in the league
- There is never a surplus of proven LTs out there
- I'm sure he's getting paid fairly (vs an overpayment in FA)
- He's a leader of the team and ambassador of the culture to support new adds/retooling
But it is true that:
- He's about to turn 40 and obviously well past the peak of his career
- It would be nice to start finding 'the next one' to be a stalwart LT
So overall, more pros than cons with this one. Clearly the strategy (and hope) is we fix the parts that were wrong with last year, lean into the parts that were great (a few but clearly not enough), and then find a level of consistency and known-quantity for the rest, which is mostly what this signing is. With these moves, this would be the last kick at the can for Stanley, Neufeld, Collaros and a few others to get back to the show before more significant churn is mandatory simply due to attrition.
Quote from: gbill2004 on January 26, 2026, 04:24:17 PMCrazy he'll be 40 in May.
Holy ***! gbill! What is this 2013?!
I am on the fence in this one to. I thought he got smoked a few to many times last year in pass protection.
I would love he has a bounce back year but not sure this is in the cards.
Quote from: Pete on January 26, 2026, 04:15:10 PMIt sure feels like the only changes aare gonna be in switching out peripheral players for other similar ones. I hope walters proves me wrong
This could be the year of the big blowup that ultimately shakes things up, so far no perceptable change has been made to the mindset or the roster, and every re-signing made reduces their FA budget to aquire game changing talent.
Reminds me of the ESF, they went into that game with utter confidence they would right all wrongs committed during the regular season and proceeded to fall flat throughout the first half. In their minds they are still the best, but this is based on nostalgia, half the teams are now outplaying them from the git go.
Quote from: Pete on January 26, 2026, 04:15:10 PMIt sure feels like the only changes aare gonna be in switching out peripheral players for other similar ones. I hope walters proves me wrong
Way to early for that prediction and lots of time to add and subtract
We won't rebuild but we will have some new tools
If CFL rosters were bigger I'd be okay with this. They're not. Especially for American players. Not only is he a year older and slower he's taking up the spot of someone who could be growing into the next Stanley Bryant which is the biggest problem.
I love Stan, but man, Collaros is going to spend another year getting destroyed.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 26, 2026, 09:06:26 PMIf CFL rosters were bigger I'd be okay with this. They're not. Especially for American players. Not only is he a year older and slower he's taking up the spot of someone who could be growing into the next Stanley Bryant which is the biggest problem.
I love Stan, but man, Collaros is going to spend another year getting destroyed.
There is absolutely no data that can back up that claim with certainty this early. I respect for the opinion but not the sediment here. I am not betting against two hall of famers. End is soon but its not now!
1.too early to know what our line will be (I think will be reasonable with a rough start), yes OL wasn't great last year but new faces, new OC might help
2. Don't count Stan out yet, one of best to ever do it
3. Yes does impact development for a year but he will teach those around him best he can
4. Stans don't grow on trees, generational talent
5. So much time left to add and delete players
6. I don't think Zach will get destroyed but will be challenged early, once the line and team gels, I think we will be fine as long as we find a few studs and hidden gems, which we usually do
7. I am cautiously optimistic about our OL but it is my biggest concern
8. We will find out by labour day what our team and OL is like
9. Stan likely to be same speed as last year
10. The least of my worries is him! And Zach,.give me time, sling nasty and BBB
That said if we don't improve our OL and add a decent player or two and they play same or worse than last year then yes our QBs will be running around like chickens. I don't see that happening. Injuries could create challenges more than anything imo.
Quote from: Blueforlife on January 26, 2026, 09:15:06 PMThere is absolutely no data that can back up that claim with certainty this early. I respect for the opinion but not the sediment here. I am not betting against two hall of famers. End is soon but its not now!
1.too early to know what our line will be (I think will be reasonable with a rough start), yes OL wasn't great last year but new faces, new OC might help
2. Don't count Stan out yet, one of best to ever do it
3. Yes does impact development for a year but he will teach those around him best he can
4. Stans don't grow on trees, generational talent
5. So much time left to add and delete players
6. I don't think Zach will get destroyed but will be challenged early, once the line and team gels, I think we will be fine as long as we find a few studs and hidden gems, which we usually do
7. I am cautiously optimistic about our OL but it is my biggest concern
8. We will find out by labour day what our team and OL is like
9. Stan likely to be same speed as last year
10. The least of my worries is him! And Zach,.give me time, sling nasty and BBB
The data is basic aged based regression curves. Wallace is on the way up. Randall too. That's helpful and optimistically they both could be quite a bit better. Bryant is essentially guaranteed to be a little bit less effective year over year. Take what you say last year and knock off 5% or something. Same with Neufeld although you can hide him more and he had a decent year. All in all it looks about the same with a question mark at centre.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 26, 2026, 09:45:31 PMThe data is basic aged based regression curves. Wallace is on the way up. Randall too. That's helpful and optimistically they both could be quite a bit better. Bryant is essentially guaranteed to be a little bit less effective year over year. Take what you say last year and knock off 5% or something. Same with Neufeld although you can hide him more and he had a decent year. All in all it looks about the same with a question mark at centre.
Improve at Centre and couple guys step up and we flip the coin. You claimed Harris was done before he was, the greats age like wine. You do make a good analysis of the situation. I expect an average OL that struggles out of the gate. Not everyone can be as good as Harris was for so long. A rare breed but one can hope our old fellas have a little left in the tank for likely Zach's swan song.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 26, 2026, 09:06:26 PMIf CFL rosters were bigger I'd be okay with this. They're not. Especially for American players. Not only is he a year older and slower he's taking up the spot of someone who could be growing into the next Stanley Bryant which is the biggest problem.
I love Stan, but man, Collaros is going to spend another year getting destroyed.
There is no one on our roster who is better than Bryant, so we'd have to go Free agent route, which Wa1ters doesn't think there's a better one out there for the $$ we offered Stan1ey. If and when we decide to rep1ace him, we'11 have to sign a FA to do so just 1ike we did with Stan1ey. I m tota11y good with us re-signing him, age and a11
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 26, 2026, 09:06:26 PMIf CFL rosters were bigger I'd be okay with this. They're not. Especially for American players. Not only is he a year older and slower he's taking up the spot of someone who could be growing into the next Stanley Bryant which is the biggest problem.
I love Stan, but man, Collaros is going to spend another year getting destroyed.
Yes, Stan got beat a number of times last year. And, I agree he a year old and probably a little slower. So I am expecting him to get beat a number of time again this year. But, I also agree with DD that we haven't developed anyone to take his place.
Everyone gets beat, some forget about how steady Stan is, for everytime he get beat, he has many times unnoticed solid protection. Yes prime Stan needed double team to get beat but he still can hold his own, for a guy his age, will go down as one of best and longest serving OL ever. It's kinds like Bouch in Edm, nobody forgets his mistakes but how about that hatty and three apples ;)
We need someone else to compliment him
Quote from: BLUEBOMBER on January 27, 2026, 08:51:13 AMWe need someone else to compliment him
"Mr. Bryant, you are an impressive man, with a solid history of greatness..."
Oh, wait... I think I misunderstood the assignment ;)
Stan got badly beat maybe on average once every 2 games. He was certainly not the biggest problem on the '25 OL. And he was still miles better than any other guy we plopped there when Stan was out.
There was no way we were going to roll with Vant or Rand at LT. And clearly we didn't want to spend the money needed in FA. So what else are ya gonna do?
Thus concludes the re-signing of the Brady Bunch, the guys Zach & Brady spelled out were going to be back. It was always a package deal. Brady, Zach, Neuf, Stan. It'll be in '27 3 of those 4 start dropping off the roster.
I like all of these signings. It's up to the oldsters to ensure they up their game and not be 2025 complacent. This is their last shot as a unit.
I don't have a problem with Bryant returning. I wouldn't say we didn't want to / or couldn't spend money in free agency if a player is available ( Broxton ).
The large number of OL being signed is a little off the norm but not an issue this early. Some won't make it past rookie camp.
We'll need a couple for injury insurance on the PR and as development players at worst. At best, someone beats out Randolph or we move to 3 import OL. None of that is clear quite yet.
I suppose it's not impossible that we find a rookie that beats out Bryant.
Quote from: Blue In BC on January 27, 2026, 05:36:37 PMI don't have a problem with Bryant returning. I wouldn't say we didn't want to / or couldn't spend money in free agency if a player is available ( Broxton ).
The large number of OL being signed is a little off the norm but not an issue this early. Some won't make it past rookie camp.
We'll need a couple for injury insurance on the PR and as development players at worst. At best, someone beats out Randolph or we move to 3 import OL. None of that is clear quite yet.
I suppose it's not impossible that we find a rookie that beats out Bryant.
Athough not impossibe, it is highy un1ike1y a rookie beats out Stan the man
Quote from: dd on January 27, 2026, 05:40:07 PMAthough not impossibe, it is highy un1ike1y a rookie beats out Stan the man
Normally I'd agree but a rookie on an ELC versus a higher contract that Bryant has can't be discounted. How more or less would Braxton cost is he becomes available? Last year they were nearly equal and cost of living is lower in Winnipeg.
EDIT: Info from 2025
13) Jarell Broxton, B.C. Lions (A)
Hard money: $180,000
Maximum value: $187,000
The 32-year-old native of Olney, Md. collected a $40,000 offseason roster bonus on Feb. 1 and will earn an additional $108,000 in base salary, $14,700 in housing money, $5,300 in marketing money, and a $2,000 travel allowance. Broxton will also receive $10,000 when he reports to training camp and passes his physical plus a potential $7,000 in all-star and awards incentives. Broxton has been B.C.'s starter at left tackle since 2023.
14) Stanley Bryant, Winnipeg Blue Bombers (A)
Hard money: $170,700
Maximum value: $183,700
The soon-to-be 39-year-old earned a $76,000 signing bonus to return for a tenth season in Bomberland. The six-foot-five, 315-pound blocker can also collect upwards of $13,000 in all-star and awards incentives, including $5,000 if he's named Winnipeg's nominee for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. Bryant has earned nine All-West Division selections, eight All-CFL selections, and four CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman awards over his long career.
Quote from: Tecno on January 27, 2026, 05:28:09 PMStan got badly beat maybe on average once every 2 games. He was certainly not the biggest problem on the '25 OL. And he was still miles better than any other guy we plopped there when Stan was out.
There was no way we were going to roll with Vant or Rand at LT. And clearly we didn't want to spend the money needed in FA. So what else are ya gonna do?
Thus concludes the re-signing of the Brady Bunch, the guys Zach & Brady spelled out were going to be back. It was always a package deal. Brady, Zach, Neuf, Stan. It'll be in '27 3 of those 4 start dropping off the roster.
I like all of these signings. It's up to the oldsters to ensure they up their game and not be 2025 complacent. This is their last shot as a unit.
This just seems so dumb, what happened to the plan of gradual renewal every year? This is how teams completely collapse and fall out of favour, can't keep up with the Jones if the view is always on the rearview mirror and past accomplishments.
Love Kyrie and all that he did for the team but there are 4 younger bucks that could jump in at WIL and establish themselves as good replacements within a few games, which would reduce the burden of renewal by one position.
Bryant has the LT position heading into camp. To think a rookie can unseat a future HOF in camp is pretty tough.
But, with the sheer number of OT candidates coming to camp, we are very likely going to upgrade the Lofton/Randolph/Vanterpool options, and hopefully have a solution for next year, or this season should old man time catch up to Big Stan.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 26, 2026, 09:06:26 PMIf CFL rosters were bigger I'd be okay with this. They're not. Especially for American players. Not only is he a year older and slower he's taking up the spot of someone who could be growing into the next Stanley Bryant which is the biggest problem.
I love Stan, but man, Collaros is going to spend another year getting destroyed.
Clearly the club's intent is to treat this year as a retool year rather than a rebuild year.
If we had someone younger who was as good as him, we would obviously be going down that path. Probably will be willing to eat that risk next year, but even with a declining Stan, solid LTs don't grow on trees.
Quote from: theaardvark on January 27, 2026, 06:34:38 PMBryant has the LT position heading into camp. To think a rookie can unseat a future HOF in camp is pretty tough.
But, with the sheer number of OT candidates coming to camp, we are very likely going to upgrade the Lofton/Randolph/Vanterpool options, and hopefully have a solution for next year, or this season should old man time catch up to Big Stan.
It all depends how TC is run and that's up to O'Shea, are they going to compete or are the jobs going to the incumbents even if they don't break a sweat?
I'm going to be concerned with our Oline if we don't grab a Canadian during free agency. Either at centre or left guard.
Quote from: peg_city on January 27, 2026, 07:40:57 PMI'm going to be concerned with our Oline if we don't grab a Canadian during free agency. Either at centre or left guard.
It could still be in the cards. Or we have 1-2 OL pegged for early round DPs that we think can start week 1. Or we think one of the IMP TC guys are starter material. Or we think Eli & Wallace can step up.
So many possibilities, and only Mafia knows what Mafia is thinking. Or they are just guessing and crossing their fingers like we are!! But one cannot say they don't have a myriad options!
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 27, 2026, 07:32:34 PMIt all depends how TC is run and that's up to O'Shea, are they going to compete or are the jobs going to the incumbents even if they don't break a sweat?
You know the answer to that question! I think the only vet re-signing that has to worry about earning a spot is Eli.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 27, 2026, 06:24:24 PMThis just seems so dumb, what happened to the plan of gradual renewal every year?
Brady (and maybe Zach) said the 4 Musketeers were required before he's re-sign. (Yes, I'm speculating, but he basically said it out loud.) That's why we have the 3 oldsters back as a group.
Before getting ornery, go watch the Neuf presser. They seem fully aware of how they dropped the ball last year. They seem to take full responsibility. I think they will work harder and take less for granted. If they redouble their efforts it may pay off, even if they are a year older.
Quote from: Tecno on January 27, 2026, 11:20:33 PMBrady (and maybe Zach) said the 4 Musketeers were required before he's re-sign. (Yes, I'm speculating, but he basically said it out loud.) That's why we have the 3 oldsters back as a group.
Before getting ornery, go watch the Neuf presser. They seem fully aware of how they dropped the ball last year. They seem to take full responsibility. I think they will work harder and take less for granted. If they redouble their efforts it may pay off, even if they are a year older.
If Brady needs Bryant and Neufeld in order to return, why did he sign a 3 year deal?
And yeah, I would hope that they realize that losing in the first round is worse than making the GC, does not change the fact that as players get older they tend to get slower and weaker.
Quote from: kkc60 on February 02, 2026, 08:07:12 PMIf Brady needs Bryant and Neufeld in order to return, why did he sign a 3 year deal?
Because they all want it for one more year. After that it's who-knows and open-season. Maybe Brady makes the same pitch for the musketeers in '27... who knows. Maybe he (and everyone else) see 1, 2 or 3 fall off a cliff and let them go quietly into that good night.
Regardless of what those other guys do, Brady will be here longer term, because he's the youngest.
Quote from: kkc60 on February 02, 2026, 08:07:12 PMIf Brady needs Bryant and Neufeld in order to return, why did he sign a 3 year deal?
And yeah, I would hope that they realize that losing in the first round is worse than making the GC, does not change the fact that as players get older they tend to get slower and weaker.
Precisely, ageing can't be reversed and skills deteriorate over time, the change is hard to detect or accept but not much anyone can do about it.