2024-2025 CFL (non-Bomber) off-season discussion

[TecnoGenius]

Agree with Miller on this whole subject. don't look backwards and play the what if game, its useless.

Sure, don't cry over spilled milk.  Don't worry about what you can't change, that's the Mafia credo.

But once we know the real deal about the $400k we can 100% use the new money to go after remaining options, both FA leftovers and returning NFLers.

Any team not doing so will be at a disadvantage to the teams that are fully spending to the new cap.

[TecnoGenius]

Just found this clip of Wilson mic'd up in week 9, easy to see his success is built on talent and going full out on every play, he throws some great blocks.

That diving catch when he was impeded was insane.  That's just like the best of Dressler.  We haven't seen that in a while.  So few players willing to lay out these days (for instance Schoen never does).

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Sure, don't cry over spilled milk.  Don't worry about what you can't change, that's the Mafia credo.

But once we know the real deal about the $400k we can 100% use the new money to go after remaining options, both FA leftovers and returning NFLers.

Any team not doing so will be at a disadvantage to the teams that are fully spending to the new cap.

Only way I see the Bombers spending

That diving catch when he was impeded was insane.  That's just like the best of Dressler.  We haven't seen that in a while.  So few players willing to lay out these days (for instance Schoen never does).

Yah, no coincidence he gained over 1k in his rookie season, not often the CFL gets an authentic Div 1 receiver from a dominant US college program. I think he has the potential to become the CFL's top receiver if he sticks with it and commits himself to a CFL career.

[dd]

Only way I see the Bombers spending
Yah, no coincidence he gained over 1k in his rookie season, not often the CFL gets an authentic Div 1 receiver from a dominant US college program. I think he has the potential to become the CFL's top receiver if he sticks with it and commits himself to a CFL career.

Agree, and the sooner he comes to that conclusion the better. Milton Stegal couldn't make it in the NFL, and Pokey Wilson ain't no Milt Stegal, hurry up and get this over with!!

[Blue In BC]

This TC might look a little different than in recent past. There are openings but we've signed some CFL veterans that could fill many of them. Where in a given depth chart they end up is more of the question. For example QB and LB. I know what I'd like to see at those roster spots, but don't know how this will shape up. Might see a veteran bumped but by another CFL veteran.

Just an assumption barring injury that Lawson and Parker make the AR. Both may start or be a significant part of the rotation.

It does appear that some players from 2024 will take on starting roles. Griffin and T. Jones that were more primary rotation players last year will be pencilled in to start day 1.

Randolph could end up starting on the OL would be another example that was discussed.

There will be some new faces but I don't think we see the normal number of 1st year rookies. Even our DI's are mostly filled out after adding Logan and J. Jones ( or Wilson ).

I think the 4th DI will be a DL, probably a DE type since we have so many Canadian DT's that could be the AR depth. A DB as a DI is usually a good choice. It will depend on the performance of Kelly and Makonzo as depth.


This is not to suggest that some rookie imports can't win a starting role, but it seems more about winning PR spots.

I expect we see some 2025 draft choice Canadians make the roster as depth to replace some that departed. Just a guess but I think 3 new faces on AR and a couple on PR.

Overall Parker and K. Wilson will see the most competition to start and perhaps be choices as DI's.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Tyrell Ford received numerous offers from the NFL this offseason but signed with the Elks to play with his brother.

https://3downnation.com/2025/04/11/canadian-db-tyrell-ford-turned-down-multiple-nfl-offers-to-stay-in-cfl-sign-with-edmonton-elks/

[Jesse]

Tyrell Ford received numerous offers from the NFL this offseason but signed with the Elks to play with his brother.

https://3downnation.com/2025/04/11/canadian-db-tyrell-ford-turned-down-multiple-nfl-offers-to-stay-in-cfl-sign-with-edmonton-elks/

Two try out offers...he wasn't actually offered a contract to play.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Two try out offers...he wasn't actually offered a contract to play.

Ok, multiple offers.

[Jesse]

Ok, multiple offers.

I'd call it more an invitation than an offer.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Greg Ellingson announces his retirement with Ottawa. He had a good connection with Zach in his short stint in Wpg. unfortunately injury and the arrival of Dalton Schoen made him expendable.

https://3downnation.com/2025/04/15/greg-ellingson-announces-cfl-retirement-with-ottawa-redblacks/

[TecnoGenius]

Greg Ellingson announces his retirement with Ottawa. He had a good connection with Zach in his short stint in Wpg. unfortunately injury and the arrival of Dalton Schoen made him expendable.

He was already way along the down slope when he joined here, but he excelled anyhow, until he was injured.  Isn't that the first year we lost the cup?  We could have really used him healthy in that game.

He is a top-10 REC of the last decade in the CFL, in my books.  Certainly he should make most people's top-20 list.  He was fun to watch.  And always cool hair, for bonus points.

[Blue In BC]

We're seeing top 10 or 20 lists of players in different positions with their SMS salary. It begs the question why not just publish each teams entire list.

Anyway, today's list was for Kickers. Castillo is 6th and one of very few imports in that role. C. Grace was one of 2 global kickers and he had an interesting bonus clause if he is listed as a back up QB and takes a certain number of snaps!! I suppose he could be an emergency in game replacement but odds are slim.

I didn't really pay too much attention on which player did punting, kicking or both. Castillo is a good player but it is unfortunate that he isn't a Canadian or doing both roles. However having a global fill a spot punting is not the worst scenario either.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

We're seeing top 10 or 20 lists of players in different positions with their SMS salary. It begs the question why not just publish each teams entire list.

Anyway, today's list was for Kickers. Castillo is 6th and one of very few imports in that role. C. Grace was one of 2 global kickers and he had an interesting bonus clause if he is listed as a back up QB and takes a certain number of snaps!! I suppose he could be an emergency in game replacement but odds are slim.

I didn't really pay too much attention on which player did punting, kicking or both. Castillo is a good player but it is unfortunate that he isn't a Canadian or doing both roles. However having a global fill a spot punting is not the worst scenario either.

Not sure there are many kickers still doing both jobs, maybe Bede?

I would like to hear how Castillo developed the extra power to break the 60 yd. barrier in FG length, was it improved technique, enhanced leg workouts, or luck of the wind?  Most kickers outer limit is 55 yds. he blew by that last season multiple times after he got over "chip gate".
 Just achieving O'Shea's blessing to try longer kicks is also interesting, considering the potential consequences of missing long ones. Castillo is still a bit inconsistent as he can miss multiple makeable FG's in one game, but lucky for him the Bombers usually overcome these mis-hits and it rarely costs them a game.

[J5V]

He was already way along the down slope when he joined here, but he excelled anyhow, until he was injured.  Isn't that the first year we lost the cup?  We could have really used him healthy in that game.

He is a top-10 REC of the last decade in the CFL, in my books.  Certainly he should make most people's top-20 list.  He was fun to watch.  And always cool hair, for bonus points.

His best performances were with Ottawa where he was amazing.

[Blue In BC]

Not sure there are many kickers still doing both jobs, maybe Bede?

I would like to hear how Castillo developed the extra power to break the 60 yd. barrier in FG length, was it improved technique, enhanced leg workouts, or luck of the wind?  Most kickers outer limit is 55 yds. he blew by that last season multiple times after he got over "chip gate".
 Just achieving O'Shea's blessing to try longer kicks is also interesting, considering the potential consequences of missing long ones. Castillo is still a bit inconsistent as he can miss multiple makeable FG's in one game, but lucky for him the Bombers usually overcome these mis-hits and it rarely costs them a game.

I'm not sure either in the era of specialists. In any case I see a distinct advantage in using one of those functions to a global if you can't find a Canadian or dual role import.

As I've said, Castillo is very good but he takes up a DI spot. He's not on an ELC but he's not getting Medlock money either.

In theory I like the idea like the Als using 2 global players. Both may be lower cost than many others and it's a good use of the global mandate.

EDIT: Obviously if you pay 2 players for kicking roles, the total kicking spend is higher. However if you fill a spot with another global player position or Canadian, you are still spending the money give or take.  Both of the Als kickers have been with the team for 43 years so they are around $100K each. At worst that's only $25K than an ELC Canadian or global.

EDIT: of the 26 global players currently on rosters, only 11 are non kicking players.