Blue Bombers add to roster
WINNIPEG, MB., April 21, 2026 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American defensive back Matthew Jackson.
Jackson (6-1, 209, Eastern Kentucky; born: November 9, 1998, in Chicago, IL.) re-signs after spending time on the Blue Bombers' practice roster in 2025.
Jackson signed with the Bombers last season during practice roster expansion, spending just over a month with the club.
Following the 2023 NFL Draft, Jackson signed with the Tennessee Titans as an undrafted free agent and earned a spot on the team's initial 53-man roster out of training camp. He appeared in nine games during the 2023 season, registering one defensive tackle and five special teams tackles.
Jackson was released prior to the start of the 2024 season and was later signed by the Jacksonville Jaguars. He saw action in all three preseason games, recording four tackles, and opened the regular season on the practice squad. He was later elevated for one game against the Indianapolis Colts before being released.
At Eastern Kentucky (2018–2022), Jackson appeared in 50 games, totaling 294 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, eight sacks, two interceptions, two forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, and ten pass breakups. He established himself as one of the top defensive players in the FCS, earning All-ASUN honours, Stats Perform Third-Team All-America recognition in 2022, and finalist status for the Buck Buchanan Award in 2021.
We already have 14 LB's including 5 import rookies. He seems to be an impressive candidate but making the roster is going to be tough.
Quote from: Blue In BC on April 21, 2026, 04:13:41 PMWe already have 14 LB's including 5 import rookies. He seems to be an impressive candidate but making the roster is going to be tough.
Article says he's a DB, where do you get LB? Must be a good one to get actual NFL game time on numerous clubs, should be a real contender for a roster or PR spot.
He's kind of a hybrid player. He's largely played his career as a safety which in the CFL often translates to safety or that strong side linebacker spot. Maybe they also like him as a corner but usually those guys have a certain mold. Usually you don't find guys like him at half and we're pretty set there to be sure.
Another DB with some size. Like it.
Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on April 21, 2026, 05:26:04 PMArticle says he's a DB, where do you get LB? Must be a good one to get actual NFL game time on numerous clubs, should be a real contender for a roster or PR spot.
His size mostly. His NFL experience suggests SAM but we have bunch of candidates for that.
We have 22 DB's so if that's where their looking at him that's an even tough road. He's heavier that 19 of our DB's. Perhaps not much but that suggests possibly a different role.
Maybe he's the next J. Bolden.
EDIT: Not that it means much but he was listed as a LB on the PR at the end of 2025.
It doesn't appear we've added any newbies from our tryout camps yet except that one receiver. There is still time but we usually see more activity before our draft. As I've suggested I think we need another 4 or 5 receivers to match up against all the DB's on the roster.
The more competition the better.. Our defence was not the best last season...
Quote from: BLUEBOMBER on April 23, 2026, 04:42:12 PMThe more competition the better.. Our defence was not the best last season...
And yet the stats had us top 1, 2 or 3 in many categories heading into the last few games.
I think if we can do what we did in the D-backfield AND get sacks we'll be quite a force. Paging Ceresna...