2024 Blue Bombers Free Agency

ModAdmin · November 25, 2023, 03:13:14 AM

Free Agent Round Up

...The Blue Bombers' list of prospective free agents features 35 names, including the entire starting offensive and defensive lines, three starting receivers, five players who made starts in the secondary, ace return man Janarion Grant, kicker Sergio Castillo and - just to punctuate the point - Canadian Football League rushing champ and top homegrown product, Brady Oliveira.

There's also this: GM Kyle Walters, along with his assistants in Danny McManus and Ted Goveia, are also working on expiring contracts.

Yowzers.....

https://www.bluebombers.com/2023/11/24/free-agent-round-up-2/

Jesse · November 25, 2023, 04:07:01 AM

Well, I just hope we start hearing about some signings sooner rather than later.

Blue In BC · November 25, 2023, 01:19:33 PM

Let the re-signing begin with Walters very soon. There is work to be done.

Lincoln Locomotive · November 25, 2023, 04:03:27 PM

Other teams have quickly announced signings and we're worried about signing our GM and assistants....not sure much will happen until this is resolved

Jesse · November 25, 2023, 05:22:53 PM

Quote from: Lincoln Locomotive on November 25, 2023, 04:03:27 PM
Other teams have quickly announced signings and we're worried about signing our GM and assistants....not sure much will happen until this is resolved

We were playing for longer than they were. They?re schedules are a week or two ahead of ours.

ModAdmin · November 25, 2023, 09:28:37 PM

Official CFL list of free agents from each CFL team.

https://www.cfl.ca/fa24/

Lincoln Locomotive · November 25, 2023, 09:32:15 PM

Quote from: Jesse on November 25, 2023, 05:22:53 PM
We were playing for longer than they were. They?re schedules are a week or two ahead of ours.

true that....fair enough. I just hope this gets resolved fairly quickly

J5V · November 26, 2023, 03:15:25 PM

Quote from: Lincoln Locomotive on November 25, 2023, 09:32:15 PM
true that....fair enough. I just hope this gets resolved fairly quickly

Agreed. KW has done an amazing job getting personnel in here since he took over from Mack. We need him to continue to do that job.

Blue In BC · November 26, 2023, 07:04:59 PM

Rough count of 268 potential free agents across the CFL including outs. There are possible replacements at every position if it comes down to that.

theaardvark · November 26, 2023, 09:20:02 PM

Kyle Walters and his crew have done an amazing job of navigating the $SMS issues and recruiting, more than the average number of players have come through our system and moved on to play significant roles on other teams. Yet they have managed to replace them and keep our team competitive.

Wade needs to get them back under contract as soon as possible. I am hoping that its just a matter of dotting the t's and crossing the i's ...

Jesse · November 26, 2023, 10:11:45 PM

Well, I would expect to hear something one way or another this week about our GM situation.

blue_gold_84 · November 27, 2023, 01:16:55 PM

Quote from: Jesse on November 26, 2023, 10:11:45 PM
Well, I would expect to hear something one way or another this week about our GM situation.

Would be nice to get that sorted out in short order. I can't imagine much else could get done until Walters' contract situation is dealt with.

Blue In BC · November 28, 2023, 05:32:45 PM

It's the same every off season. Big list of potential free agents. IDK if we have any SMS left from 2023. Regardless we can begin re-signing players with signing bonus's paid in early 2024 if there is none left from 2023.

As usual I put the priority on the Canadians as the most difficult to replace and helps continuity.

Obviously Oliveria is the main priority but that falls squarely into his decision about looking towards the NFL. After that I think all of the Canadian OL in no particular order as the most critical.

On defence I'd name Nichols, Jefferson and Jeffcoat as the highest priorities.

By my count we have 17 starters listed as potential free agents and several strong specialists or rotation players.

Let the work begin now that Walters is back on board. There is lots of time but if there is any 2023 SMS money left, use it or lose it before the end of Dec.

If we lose Buck Pierce to the Riders we might see some players choose to follow him. I'm counting on him staying in Winnipeg.

theaardvark · November 28, 2023, 06:48:27 PM

You have to wonder if Buck's status might affect some of the FA's decisions to sign early. I hope not.

I can't see a few of our players having long term goals, maybe one or two years until retirement. Moving to a new team/city doesn't seem likely, so we may see some players on Bighill type deals, where they stay for less. And who knows how many are currently working here or have post career opportunities here. That can make a big difference in how much $SMS you ahve available.

I'd like to see as many of our present players return, but we all know that we are going it lose some. Luckily there is no one names Sayles needing to be re-signed

We are deep in many positions, and can lose a player here or there. DLine might be an issue, but I can't see the Jeff's leaving unless someone really backs up the truck.

DB's, LB's are deep. WR deep, Oline deep. QB, well, if Dru gets a starting offer and doesn't come back, I'm sure we will have plenty of competition for the #2 spot, and I can't see Prukop going anywhere, he knows he's got a good gig here.

With Walters and company back, I think we'll be just fine.

Jesse · November 28, 2023, 07:12:32 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on November 28, 2023, 06:48:27 PM
You have to wonder if Buck's status might affect some of the FA's decisions to sign early. I hope not.

I can't see a few of our players having long term goals, maybe one or two years until retirement. Moving to a new team/city doesn't seem likely, so we may see some players on Bighill type deals, where they stay for less. And who knows how many are currently working here or have post career opportunities here. That can make a big difference in how much $SMS you ahve available.

I'd like to see as many of our present players return, but we all know that we are going it lose some. Luckily there is no one names Sayles needing to be re-signed

We are deep in many positions, and can lose a player here or there. DLine might be an issue, but I can't see the Jeff's leaving unless someone really backs up the truck.

DB's, LB's are deep. WR deep, Oline deep. QB, well, if Dru gets a starting offer and doesn't come back, I'm sure we will have plenty of competition for the #2 spot, and I can't see Prukop going anywhere, he knows he's got a good gig here.

With Walters and company back, I think we'll be just fine.

I can't think of too many guys who could be pulled out.

Dru Brown is possible, but I don't expect him back anyway, so whatever. Maybe a guy like Bailey if he's offered an increased opportunity/pay day, but Bailey is a loud proponent of not wanting to leave our culture. Maybe one of our OL shakes loose if they offer a pay day?