Bombers extend quarterback Zach Collaros through 2026

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I think it's pretty hard to objectively say that Collaros has been good in the recent Grey Cups. He hasn't been. I think there are some mitigating factors though- the weather makes it hard for QBs in November and the opponent - that Toronto front - was tough last year for the offence. Buck's game plan didn't exactly help.

On the other hand, he's been the best quarterback to play in Winnipeg over the last 25 years and you'd be making a mistake not trying to milk that dry. You'd have to go back to Khari Jones in 2001, 02 and 03 to find someone who had as much personal success (without half as much team success) at the position. So if there's no young Jordan Love or Aaron Rodgers waiting in the wings, you don't cut the franchise because he's expensive. It is prudent to try and find that guy though.

[theaardvark]

I am happt Zach is here, and do not begrudge him his salary, or getting an extension, a good move for both him and the team.  That said:

Allowing teams to score points is not the only factor in losing a game.

Not scoring more points is just as much a factor.

We tend to dominate time of possession, that's the type of team we are, ground and pound, dink and dunk.

We do feast off of our D making turnover on downs and ballhawking.  But that should always be considered bonus.

We need to, in big games, not rely on holding teams off the scoreboard, but running up a tally that they can't overcome.

That has not been the case in the last 3 GC's.

And yes, THAT is a Zach issue.  He needs to be better, he needs to lead and get things done. 

He's  been O tds, 6 ints in the last 3 GC losses, and was 2 td, 2 int in the first two GC wins.

Neither ratio screams proficiency, and yes, some of those INTs came off a bloodied hand, but still.  To win, your best players have to be your best players.  On paycheck alone, ZC8 is supposed to be our best player.  Yes, he cannot win it by himself, it is a team sport, but he clearly has not been our best player in the last 3 GC appearances.

No debate, getting us to GC's is important, and he has earned his pay doing that.  But unless he changes things, I don't think he will be remembered as "Big Game Collaros".

Is there a QB I'd rather have here?  Probably not, maybe a up and comer for the future, but of the starters, he still has one of the best all around records, just not in the last 3 GC's, when it has counted.

[TecnoGenius]

Zach has been an incredible boost for our team. He remains our best option. He has been at his worst in every Grey Cup he's played in, and many play-off games.

Is he told to play that way, or maybe we always have a pass-last / conservative-pass game plan?  I don't mean the INTs, I mean just the general feel of the play calls.  Yes, that would mean the style would span 2 different OCs.

Then maybe it would be a MOS thing... He does seem to want to make everything very conservative in GCs, hence my perennial "be bolder" post-loss thread.

[TecnoGenius]

So if there's no young Jordan Love or Aaron Rodgers waiting in the wings, you don't cut the franchise because he's expensive. It is prudent to try and find that guy though.

Anyone we obtain as our desired replacement will be a top-3 QB and cost just the same (or more) anyhow.  There is no "savings" to be found at the QB position.

The only way you'd save anything is by signing an "unknown but seems to have it" new kid (Dru/Alexander).  This is possible, but those guys are often retained by the team that found them.  Or a washed-up oldster (sadly, Masoli; not sadly, Trevor), but we're not doing that.

[Jesse]

Just looking at some franchise stats while I wait for the game to start:

With Zach now signed through 2026, he should easily slot in at #2 in Blue Bomber history in career passing yards and TDs behind Dieter Brock.

If he were to sign an additional year into 2027, he could become our all time leading passer.

[Jesse]

For those of you with Dads in the boomer generation. Dieter Brock is this golden standard that no QB can ever touch. Would love to see a QB that I got to watch over take him.

[Jesse]

Oh wow, Brady will likely finish this year as at least 5th on the all time rushing list. Maybe 4th.