CFL player departures?

[Blue In BC]

Something to watch in the near future? All of the transactions in July and August have been releases or retirements.

Nate Holley was released today to chase an NFL deal.

I expect we're going to see some activity / movement to NFL or possibly XFL. A few players that might have been thinking retirement at the end of 2020 might make announcements prior to the end of the year?

Not sure how this plays out with 1st year rookies that would have been coming to TC. I'd think some will look to XFL for the spring at the very least.

EDIT: Since I expect we may hear about some Bomber changes but if mod's want to move this to the other forum, ok.

[TBURGESS]

This season is done. Release any player who would become a FA at the end of the season who has any, even faint, NFL shot. Creates some good will among the players, even if we lose a player or two.

[RebusRankin]

I agree with TB and think we'll see some of this type of movement soon.

[Blue In BC]

This season is done. Release any player who would become a FA at the end of the season who has any, even faint, NFL shot. Creates some good will among the players, even if we lose a player or two.

We have about 36 players listed as potential free agents.  That includes a few veterans like Awe or Antigua on 1 year deals that haven't even had a chance to attend TC. Maybe 4 or 5 veterans fall into that category.

Many 1st year rookie players ( also about 36 players ) signed 2 year deals. I don't know how binding those become with the 2020 season cancelled.

That group is where I expect to see most departures in all CFL cities.

I'm not expecting any real movement from Bomber veterans to the NFL or XFL. I do expect a small number of retirements before 2021. But we have some that were 1st year CFL in 2019 that are in the 2020 list of potential free agents: Lawler, Bailey, Whitehead for example. It's not impossible there could be some other opportunities for them.


Still waiting for more info on contract status of all CFL players after the cancellation of the season.  I wonder where the CFLPA is taking a stand one way or the other on this broader question.

I agree that if a given player asks for his release it should be granted.

[Ridermania]

CFL players can opt of their contracts starting Monday.

https://www.tsn.ca/report-cfl-players-can-opt-of-contracts-starting-monday-1.1512818

[Blue In BC]

CFL players can opt of their contracts starting Monday.

https://www.tsn.ca/report-cfl-players-can-opt-of-contracts-starting-monday-1.1512818

It's happening sooner that I thought. I guess we'll see how this pans out. With NFL TC's already in full swing and XFL still somewhat in limbo, there aren't really a lot of other opportunities at the moment.

This could shatter the CFLPA and current CBA. That's not exactly a surprise concept but what then?

We may be heading towards a massive re-tooling of the league. Everything is up for grabs and teams may be unrecognizable next year due to player movement across the CFL or out of the CFL.

Players with contracts into and beyond 2021 might " wait " longer to take action. OTOH if players opting out becomes a massive event, then I'd envision the league folding and re-building from scratch effectively.

Not a good thought for early Saturday morning. More questions than answers today.

Hopefully the CFLPA and league will be meeting in talks about a go forward plan very quickly.

EDIT: Status of coaching staffs may change as we see what players do shortly.

[DM83]

Lol!
Well so much for a "contract"
Furthermore, Anyone with family responsibilities and nearing thirty years old, should say forget it.
The bottom line is guys have to earn a living.  If the league is out of business for the next six to eight months, then there is no league.

Further, what do the off-field people do for a living?

[Blue In BC]

Earlier: Holley,  MBT, Leone, Shepley, Lacey opt out.

Stamps LB Wynton Mcmanus opts out of his contract. Just announced.

[BlueInCgy]

Castillo opts out

[Pigskin]

Every team will have a few players walk. This guy's have to make a living. McManus is the real deal.

[Blue In BC]

It would be interesting to see a complete breakdown of CFL players by contract length and years in the CFL. No need to identify with player names just math data.

With players signed for TC's each team must have close to 75 players under contract. 1/3 of those would have been going to their 1st TC. That sounds like about 675 ( 75 X 9 ). Usually we've been seeing about 300 reach free agency each off season. Many re-sign but that's raw math with lots of 1 year deals for veterans.

While I'm not expecting any large number of departures in the immediate future, that may change between now and the end of December. Those that are contemplating XFL chances and those scheduled to be FA's in February might then choose to exit.

[gobombersgo]

2020-08-25   SSK   AYERS, Demarcus   WR   N   Houston   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-25   SSK   LAUTHER, Brett   K   N   Saint Mary's   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-25   SSK   RYAN, Jonathan   P   N   Regina   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-25   TOR   SMITH, Kwadarrius   WR   N   Akron   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-25   TOR   BETHEL-THOMPSON, Mcleod   QB   A   Sacramento State   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-25   HAM   WILSON, Kyle   LB   A   Arkansas State   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-25   HAM   WHITE, Matthew   K   N   Monmouth   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-25   CGY   MCMANIS, Wynton   LB   N   Memphis   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-25   SSK   LACEY, Deon   LB   A   West Alabama   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-25   SSK   SHEPLEY, Dakoda   OL   N   UBC   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-25   OTT   LEONE, Richie   K   A   Houston   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-19   CGY   HOLLEY, Nate   LB   A   Kent State   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-18   MTL   SANTOSO, Ryan   K   N   Minnesota   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-17   TOR   RICHARDS, Jeff   DB   A   Emporia State   Delete From Active   Free Agent
2020-08-17   SSK   ZIMMERMANN, Max   WR   A      Delete From Active   Free Agent

[gobombersgo]

Last one out of Regina please turn off the lights.

[Sec227]

Jon Ryan wasnt coming back anyways. No way that Shepley wants to play CFL.

[TecnoGenius]

I think MBT would make a great XFL QB... and if he goes that increases the odds that Nichols secures the #1 spot in TOR.