Bombers signed him today. He's a good player but where does he fit into the excess at LB. Can't get them all onto the roster. He was 11th in top paid LB's topping out at about $136K, similar to J. Jones last year.
Bombers have been very active and 1st to the front of line bringing players in.
Need a minimum of 12 LBs on the game day roster, lol.
This isn't a signing I was expecting.
I have no idea what the plan is with the LB corps this season. LOL
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on February 10, 2026, 03:22:27 PMThis isn't a signing I was expecting.
I have no idea what the plan is with the LB corps this season. LOL
I suppose it's insurance against injury in TC or beyond. Not that different than adding J.Jones last year except we don't have the extra cushion of unspent SMS added late.
It does suggest we still have some room to add some depth players today.
There is so much competition at that WIL spot. One of those guys will end up getting released before our first game.
These are all guys who could start:
WIL
Wilson
Santos-Knox
Woodbey
Ayers
Are they giving Tony Jones competition? I'm hoping we didn't spend too much on this one. We don't have room to roster these guys.
I can see Wilson and Santos-Knox both competing for the same job in TC. May the best man win; best of luck to the odd man out.
Hard to see Shay or Smith getting any defensive reps in year 2.
Blue Bombers agree to terms with linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox
WINNIPEG, MB., February 10, 2026 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox.
Santos-Knox (6-2, 240; University of Massachusetts; born: July 5, 1994, in Waterbury, Connecticut) returns to the Blue Bombers after beginning his CFL career with the club in 2017. He spent his first two seasons (2017-18) in Winnipeg, followed by Edmonton (2019), Hamilton (2021-22) and the last three seasons in Ottawa (2023-25).
Santos-Knox, 31, is a veteran of 111 regular season CFL games and has amassed 528 defensive tackles, 16 sacks, five interceptions and four forced fumbles.
Santos-Knox had an exceptional season with the Redblacks in 2025, finishing second on the club to Adarius Pickett in tackles with 80, adding an interception while being named the team's Most Outstanding Defensive Player. He earned the same honour 2022 while with the Tiger-Cats and that year was also named to the East Division All-Star Team.
He played his college ball at UMass, where he was First-Team All-MAC in 2014 and Second-Team All-MAC in 2015, earning his first pro shot with the Blue Bombers after attending a free agent camp the club was holding in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Important to have yet another linebacker.
I'm good with it if it means we're moving on from Wilson.
Wow
You'd think we'd want that money for WR
Maybe we're doing a 3-4?
On the surface this makes no sense at all. We cant roster all the lbs we currently have . Unless theres an issue with one our current lbs.
I guess there is no signing bonus, so there is no downside.
JY/Hall know him well, and Wilson has had injury issues, so there is literally no downside to this.
Yes, we have NAT LB's coming out our ears, and there will be some that don't make the opening day AR if we keep JSK and Wilson, but that's not the worst thing.
With 7 NAT starters needed, you basically need to replace one Nat starter out of each draft, on average. With Oline being 3/7ths of that, and having long careers, losing a high draft pick because they aren't better than other players is not a bad thing. Its part of a good draft/recruitment system.
I m thinking they aren't 100% certain or happy with Wi1son so they brought in a vet. I thought we had younger ta1ent waiting in the wings, but apparent1y we're going in a different direction. Knox is very good at b1itzing, and we need to bring better, consistent pressure, and he's a proven defensive p1ayer, so I can see the reasoning behind this.
Always liked Santos-Knox but this signing makes no sense, he's a couple of years past his prime and not much younger than Kyrie, this is not what progress is supposed to look like.
Picture this: a defense made up entirely of linebackers.
I am a little surprised at this signing. Don't really think we need him.
Was unhappy when he did not re-up with our Blue and became a very good player elsewhere.
Great season last year so hoping he shows well at TC and becomes
a solid contributor for this season
Santos-Knox is a tremendous blitzer but... why bring back Wilson?
Love the serious competition.
To me this signals a shake up to our D approach. We're beefing up the front 7 and giving ourselves as many tools as possible to show a lot of different looks. You need the tools do that and most of that comes from LBs who can do run stop and pass coverage mostly equally effectively. Gives lots of ability to keep fresh legs out there too.
These are the kinds of signings we should have been making last year when we hosted...
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on February 10, 2026, 05:29:46 PMAlways liked Santos-Knox but this signing makes no sense, he's a couple of years past his prime and not much younger than Kyrie, this is not what progress is supposed to look like.
Literally coming off his best year ever, playing all 18 games.
His last year here, he had 6 sacks.
I am sure JY/Hall/MOS all were involved in this acquisition, and he will have the opportunity to make an impact in camp, and continue on to the AR is he is still at that elite level.
Literally no downside to this. If he is "past his prime" and can't make the cut, noting lost.
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on February 10, 2026, 05:39:09 PMPicture this: a defense made up entirely of linebackers.
Rich Stubler's dream
Quote from: peg_city on February 10, 2026, 06:41:55 PMRich Stubler's dream
Mike O'Shea's reality since he got here.
Only thing surprising about this is it's a vet LB signing and not a Canadian ST lifer
One benefit to this signing is that Knox is better suited to back up MLB should Jones get hurt. It does make Wilson redundant though
Quote from: kkc60 on February 10, 2026, 06:12:09 PMSantos-Knox is a tremendous blitzer but... why bring back Wilson?
Because we didn't know JSK was going to be available? We could have eyed JSK the whole time but thought OTT would re-up him (late) or another team would out-bid us in FA.
We got our lucky wish that JSK made it to FA and probably had no/few other offers so we could right-price him.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on February 10, 2026, 05:29:46 PMAlways liked Santos-Knox but this signing makes no sense, he's a couple of years past his prime and not much younger than Kyrie, this is not what progress is supposed to look like.
JSK is one of the few who left and continued to play at a high level. Like C.Sayles (well, and the other Sayles too). I've really never seen JSK suck even when stuck on dumpster fire teams. That speaks to his character.
Yes, this means one of Ayers or Wilson will have to be cut. Since Ayers hasn't proven much of anything yet, my money is on him.
Yes, I think we all would rather have heard news we signed a very capable DE, but c'est la vie.
Quote from: Pete on February 10, 2026, 07:30:55 PMOne benefit to this signing is that Knox is better suited to back up MLB should Jones get hurt. It does make Wilson redundant though
He's only redundant if he stays healthy, doesn't perform as well as he did last year, or is not used on the field whether as a conventional WIL or in a 3-4 D.
I'm tellin' y'all, this is about having options!!
Quote from: blue_gold_84 on February 10, 2026, 05:39:09 PMPicture this: a defense made up entirely of linebackers.
What about an entire offensive backfield made up of linebackers....RB/FB/SB/WR.....hell, maybe an LB TE for gadget plays.
Sounds like an OSH dream team.
Quote from: Tecno on February 10, 2026, 08:25:54 PMJSK is one of the few who left and continued to play at a high level. Like C.Sayles (well, and the other Sayles too). I've really never seen JSK suck even when stuck on dumpster fire teams. That speaks to his character.
Yes, this means one of Ayers or Wilson will have to be cut. Since Ayers hasn't proven much of anything yet, my money is on him.
Yes, I think we all would rather have heard news we signed a very capable DE, but c'est la vie.
Quote from: Tecno on February 10, 2026, 08:23:12 PMBecause we didn't know JSK was going to be available? We could have eyed JSK the whole time but thought OTT would re-up him (late) or another team would out-bid us in FA.
We got our lucky wish that JSK made it to FA and probably had no/few other offers so we could right-price him.
Not like they couldn't have brought him back anytime as he has been a frequent FA over his career, he's gone from Wpg. to Edm. to Hammie to Ottawa back to Wpg. He had his best year playing beside Biggie when he racked up 6 sacks in 2018, they've fallen off to a couple a season since then.
I suspect we're going to see a lot more 3-4 this season which should please O'Shea and Mike Miller as it gives them a solid ST core to work with.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on February 10, 2026, 09:13:21 PMNot like they couldn't have brought him back anytime as he has been a frequent FA over his career, he's gone from Wpg. to Edm. to Hammie to Ottawa back to Wpg.
Ya, but until now his ask was too high. He was one of the guys that left when we started seeing success to a much bigger FA $$.
Now he's older, and clearly reached something approaching his ceiling, and has his stock reduced simply by being on losing teams for eons, he's affordable again.
Quote from: Tecno on February 10, 2026, 10:18:46 PMYa, but until now his ask was too high. He was one of the guys that left when we started seeing success to a much bigger FA $$.
Now he's older, and clearly reached something approaching his ceiling, and has his stock reduced simply by being on losing teams for eons, he's affordable again.
The issue is which LB's get on the AR. We already had an issue with the ratio with the other LB's. Not only in ratio but where do they all line up?
T.Jones, Griffin, Woodbey, Wilson, Santos-Knox. It may be that we don't see 3 import DL on the AR and replace that spot with a LB. I'm not sure I like that idea and was already wanting another DT specifically on the AR as a DI.
I like Santos-Knox and you never know what injuries happen during TC. The final roster cut down always has some injuries. Trades or out right releases is never out of the question.
I think we are a stronger team with Knox, but would it have been better to invest those dollars into a receiver or dt? It is also a worry that we don't develop our young cdn linebackers such as Shay and Wilson (similar to what Edn has done with Dublanko and Mtrl with Arku who to me have similar attributes
After spending the off-season reviewing tape, JY has decided that the three man no longer works and we'll be playing a two man, five linebacker base defense this year. ;D
Oh boy! Another old dude on the back side of his career. Another LB that we don't need.
Quote from: Tecno on February 10, 2026, 08:23:12 PMBecause we didn't know JSK was going to be available? We could have eyed JSK the whole time but thought OTT would re-up him (late) or another team would out-bid us in FA.
We got our lucky wish that JSK made it to FA and probably had no/few other offers so we could right-price him.
So now what do you do with Wilson? If everyone is healthy, you can't keep everyone. Ayers has done nothing defensively but is important on STs, Woodbey shows so much promise and there are other young guys (both Canadian and American) coming to TC as well.
Would JSK qualify as a "nationalized american"? If so, would that make this signing make more sense?
Quote from: kkc60 on February 11, 2026, 12:09:49 AMWould JSK qualify as a "nationalized american"? If so, would that make this signing make more sense?
I'm not sure what the designation actually means. I thought it just meant an import could sub for a Canadian for a certain amount of reps. I wasn't under the impression that would allow an extra import on the AR.
So I don't think that makes this signing makes it more sense. K. Wilson could qualify for the same designation as well.
Quote from: kkc60 on February 11, 2026, 12:09:49 AMWould JSK qualify as a "nationalized american"? If so, would that make this signing make more sense?
We can still only have so many LBs on the field at the same time.
Our defence is still weak compared to Grey Cup winning calibre...
Fantastic signing
People just don't seam to understand that our LBs are the heart of the club and this brings a little swag back
Excited for this one!
Our D will be good this year
Quote from: kkc60 on February 11, 2026, 12:09:49 AMWould JSK qualify as a "nationalized american"? If so, would that make this signing make more sense?
Yes. BinBC, NA is different from the 25-snaps DNA. NA is just for the 8th "NAT" on the roster. Since basically every team has a long-term enough vet, the NA is a no-op nothingburger.
But yes, if we wanted to use JSK as a DNA, he would also qualify as that too. But Mafia has never used that option, not even once. Will they this year? Probability says "no".
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on February 10, 2026, 11:49:47 PMAfter spending the off-season reviewing tape, JY has decided that the three man no longer works and we'll be playing a two man, five linebacker base defense this year. ;D
Careful what you wish for. I would actually love to see a 2 man pass rush, 1 man pass rush and/or 0 man pass rush around once a game. You can't do it more than once, though, because you don't want teams to scheme for it.
Can you imagine dropping everyone though? DL would stay within 10Y of the line to stop a QB run, of course.
Quote from: Tecno on February 10, 2026, 08:23:12 PMBecause we didn't know JSK was going to be available? We could have eyed JSK the whole time but thought OTT would re-up him (late) or another team would out-bid us in FA.
We got our lucky wish that JSK made it to FA and probably had no/few other offers so we could right-price him.
We re-signed Wilson on the 27th, Santos-Knox was released on the 30th... timing is everything.
Quote from: Tecno on February 11, 2026, 01:37:06 AMYes. BinBC, NA is different from the 25-snaps DNA. NA is just for the 8th "NAT" on the roster. Since basically every team has a long-term enough vet, the NA is a no-op nothingburger.
But yes, if we wanted to use JSK as a DNA, he would also qualify as that too. But Mafia has never used that option, not even once. Will they this year? Probability says "no".
That's still confusing. My understanding is that it doesn't override the actual roster designation listing him as a National. It only has to do with him being able to replace a Canadian for a certain number of reps.
The team already has players like Jefferson, K. Wilson, Nichols or Holm that would qualify.
I think we're agreeing it's more like a paperwork qualification.
Quote from: Blue In BC on February 11, 2026, 02:17:09 PMThat's still confusing. My understanding is that it doesn't override the actual roster designation listing him as a National. It only has to do with him being able to replace a Canadian for a certain number of reps.
No, the NA (not DNA!) has
nothing to do with reps and
everything to do with the roster. You need to start 8 NATs, but 1 "NAT" can be a NA, a vet-IMP who gets to be a FAKENAT (my made up term).
The reps thing is a completely separate issue.
The NA thing basically never comes up because every team has plenty. Almost no teams even specify who the NA is on the public depth charts. However, I'm
sure the Super Cereal Secret Game Day Roster handed to the league specifies who the NA is.
Seems like we go over this every year ;D ;D ;D
IMHO NA is dumb, DNA is dumber, it's all dumb and the new commish could have done a great service by ditching it all on day 1 instead of killing the 55.
Quote from: Tecno on February 11, 2026, 05:05:35 PMNo, the NA (not DNA!) has nothing to do with reps and everything to do with the roster. You need to start 8 NATs, but 1 "NAT" can be a NA, a vet-IMP who gets to be a FAKENAT (my made up term).
The reps thing is a completely separate issue.
The NA thing basically never comes up because every team has plenty. Almost no teams even specify who the NA is on the public depth charts. However, I'm sure the Super Cereal Secret Game Day Roster handed to the league specifies who the NA is.
Seems like we go over this every year ;D ;D ;D
IMHO NA is dumb, DNA is dumber, it's all dumb and the new commish could have done a great service by ditching it all on day 1 instead of killing the 55.
Ok, so it's pretty much a useless designation. As I've suggested before I'd like a National and Non National as the only 2 designations.
I'd scrap the Global designation and add 2 DI's allowing global players to fall into that designation. That way global players can make the roster but without the convoluted separate category.
Rewatching the ESF, Kyrie was doing nothing but messing up and whiffing. He was the key cog in letting a lot of big plays (against!) happen.
If we have JSK in the building, and JSK is peaking in his career, I don't see how you don't start JSK at WILL. Our LB corps and run D will instantly be better.
Kyrie may be released after TC, or kept on PR as backup or advisory role. He's still useful as the "wise old man", and our LB corps would need one unless JSK can do that role too (but he's been out of the Hall/Younger system for too long to do it right away).
Yes, Kyrie had a good year, and his first healthy year in forever, but watching him play and then Beverette... you can see why we lost the ESF. I counted him on 3 really bad burns, and only 1 positive impact play.
I see many have the expectation that Santos-Knox will be starting at WIL. That's difficult to argue against. He's a very good player. We're loaded at the LB position so trying to figure out exactly what we're doing may fall into injuries during TC.
What does this mean for Woodbey? I liked what he brought last year but I'd put Griffin ahead of him on any depth chart.
Quote from: Blue In BC on February 16, 2026, 03:20:06 PMI see many have the expectation that Santos-Knox will be starting at WIL. That's difficult to argue against. He's a very good player. We're loaded at the LB position so trying to figure out exactly what we're doing may fall into injuries during TC.
What does this mean for Woodbey? I liked what he brought last year but I'd put Griffin ahead of him on any depth chart.
Griffin is predominantly a strong side linebacker. He's not going to win a training camp battle at WILL with either Woodbey or Santos-Knox. No chance.
Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on February 16, 2026, 05:15:32 PMGriffin is predominantly a strong side linebacker. He's not going to win a training camp battle at WILL with either Woodbey or Santos-Knox. No chance.
That wasn't quite the point. Griffin was on the AR until his injury. He was a very good rotation piece on defence. Woodbey got on the AR when Griffin was injured.
They may have different roles on defence but I think Griffin is more useful. He would see more coverage assignments.
This isn't knocking Woodbey but the Canadian LB's we drafted might be more ready to be next man up, now. I didn't expect Kyrie to be re-signed and thought Woodbey might take on the role.
That got even more complicated adding Santos-Knox.
So I'm expecting Griffin on the AR and Woodbey bumped to PR until an injury causes a roster shift. That's not a direct replacement in the role, just one in and one out on the AR.
Roster size and ratio won't allow everybody on the AR.
Quote from: Blue In BC on February 16, 2026, 05:27:54 PMThat wasn't quite the point. Griffin was on the AR until his injury. He was a very good rotation piece on defence. Woodbey got on the AR when Griffin was injured.
They may have different roles on defence but I think Griffin is more useful. He would see more coverage assignments.
This isn't knocking Woodbey but the Canadian LB's we drafted might be more ready to be next man up, now. I didn't expect Kyrie to be re-signed and thought Woodbey might take on the role.
That got even more complicated adding Santos-Knox.
So I'm expecting Griffin on the AR and Woodbey bumped to PR until an injury causes a roster shift. That's not a direct replacement in the role, just one in and one out on the AR.
Roster size and ratio won't allow everybody on the AR.
Can't see them sending Woodbey back to the PR now, nor Kyrie, that would be a slap in the face for a veteran player. Won't be surprised to see strategic use of the 1 game IR stash continued, till the LB group sorts itself out.
I don't consider Woodbey or Griffin as in competition for roles. Their position is separate from the depth chart in that they come on situationally.
Santos-Knox, "starting" or not, may be used more as a pass rusher while Griffin/Woodbey used more on passing downs. There are time they'll be on the field together and times when it's either/or. Wilson may be the odd man out if they want to roster both Griffin and Woodbey or they one of them may win that role with Wilson staying on the roster.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on February 16, 2026, 06:07:24 PMCan't see them sending Woodbey back to the PR now, nor Kyrie, that would be a slap in the face for a veteran player. Won't be surprised to see strategic use of the 1 game IR stash continued, till the LB group sorts itself out.
This is specifically what Walters said they did last year that they would not be doing again.
Quote from: Jesse on February 16, 2026, 06:15:29 PMThis is specifically what Walters said they did last year that they would not be doing again.
I can't see them abandoning the 1 game strategy totally as it's a useful tool to temp. stash vet. players that don't deserve to be discounted being moved to the PR, certain personalities are not going to take that pay cut well. Sure don't expect them to pay players full salary for half the season waiting for their chance like they did with Jon Jones, Mitchell, Payton and Vanterpool, of which none advanced their status.
Quote from: Jesse on February 16, 2026, 06:13:59 PMI don't consider Woodbey or Griffin as in competition for roles. Their position is separate from the depth chart in that they come on situationally.
Santos-Knox, "starting" or not, may be used more as a pass rusher while Griffin/Woodbey used more on passing downs. There are time they'll be on the field together and times when it's either/or. Wilson may be the odd man out if they want to roster both Griffin and Woodbey or they one of them may win that role with Wilson staying on the roster.
It's roster / ratio math. I don't think Griffin and Woodbey were on the AR at the same time, often. This is going to be the same issue whether Wilson is replaced by Santos-Knox as a starter.
Looking at the depth chart when Vaval was also a starting CB we gained another spot for a DI. As soon as Houston was added, Griffin was off due to injury and Vaval was back to a returning role as a DI.
I'd be happy to see both on the AR, but it will be difficult IMO.
The depth we have at LB and the debates on who plays is such a luxury to have. We will have a few guys go down and our LBs are experienced enough to mix and match as need, will be roster magic to try to keep em all. I expect Wilson to be good this year but interesting to know he didn't play that well in the playoffs. He had a very good year and I bet big on him last year while some wrote him off as old or injury prone (which was at least partially true). Could be some movement in this group yet as their won't be room for everyone. This group will come to camp hungry and fight for their spots. Will be so awesome to see who comes out on top. Likely a very good player will be on the PR or released or both. We are stacked at LB for a long time. I am high on Woodbey and Griffin.
Quote from: Jesse on February 16, 2026, 06:15:29 PMThis is specifically what Walters said they did last year that they would not be doing again.
Yup. I believe him when he says that.
It'll have to be PR stashes for the junior players, or even finding whatever booboo-du-jour ails a guy and plunking him on the 6G (full pay, and no SMS hit).
I agree that it's all harder when it's an uber-vet guy like Kyrie or JSK, and that's why we may see an outright cut. I really don't think Griffin or (especially) Woodbey will be upset at spending some games on the PR, though.
Ayers is looking more and more as on the outside... though he had this hellacious awesome ST tackle in the ESF that was loads of fun...
Quote from: Tecno on February 17, 2026, 06:39:54 AMYup. I believe him when he says that.
It'll have to be PR stashes for the junior players, or even finding whatever booboo-du-jour ails a guy and plunking him on the 6G (full pay, and no SMS hit).
I agree that it's all harder when it's an uber-vet guy like Kyrie or JSK, and that's why we may see an outright cut. I really don't think Griffin or (especially) Woodbey will be upset at spending some games on the PR, though.
Ayers is looking more and more as on the outside... though he had this hellacious awesome ST tackle in the ESF that was loads of fun...
I'd hate to lose Ayers but he's even less likely to see reps on defence now that we've added Santos-Knox. Woodbey is going to fight for a bigger role as well.
I argued last year that Ayers was difficult for me to accept as a DI due this issue. My hope was that he might be in the fight at WIL but that idea seems to have gone away now.
As others have mentioned we have a luxury at LB and we won't know for awhile how all this works out. Legit injuries early in TC may delay final decisions.
I think we will retain Ayers but won't be easy
Quote from: Blueforlife on February 17, 2026, 05:10:59 PMI think we will retain Ayers but won't be easy
Might end up being the IR for Ayers (hey, homophone), until injury opens up a spot. Unless he beats out the NAT LB's in camp dramatically, or we get a trade offer that includes NAT LB(s)...
Yes, his spot is here for his ST play, and Miller, MOS, Walters and Miller all being ST pros/gurus appreciate his skills. So, if they can find a way to keep him, he will be here.
Quote from: Tecno on February 17, 2026, 06:39:54 AMYup. I believe him when he says that.
It'll have to be PR stashes for the junior players, or even finding whatever booboo-du-jour ails a guy and plunking him on the 6G (full pay, and no SMS hit).
I agree that it's all harder when it's an uber-vet guy like Kyrie or JSK, and that's why we may see an outright cut. I really don't think Griffin or (especially) Woodbey will be upset at spending some games on the PR, though./quote]
Woodbey might agree to PR time but he would be an attractive target for other teams to approach.
I believe the CFL had their hands slapped by the insurance industry about a decade ago for abusing the 6 game IR, there are a number of guard rails in place to prevent teams from faking long-term injuries.
Quote from: theaardvark on February 17, 2026, 05:50:24 PMMight end up being the IR for Ayers (hey, homophone), until injury opens up a spot. Unless he beats out the NAT LB's in camp dramatically, or we get a trade offer that includes NAT LB(s)...
Yes, his spot is here for his ST play, and Miller, MOS, Walters and Miller all being ST pros/gurus appreciate his skills. So, if they can find a way to keep him, he will be here.
Good points. He'd certainly make the AR if not for ratio and roster size rules. This will be something to watch during TC.
I was also wondering whether a trade comes into play for somebody but not necessarily Ayers. Nothing is really off the table.
Quote from: Blue In BC on February 17, 2026, 08:32:26 PMGood points. He'd certainly make the AR if not for ratio and roster size rules. This will be something to watch during TC.
I was also wondering whether a trade comes into play for somebody but not necessarily Ayers. Nothing is really off the table.
With the number of assets at LB we could trade for a pick maybe? What other position would you target? American or Canadian?