Bombers have re-signed linebackers Kyrie Wilson and Shayne Gauthier

Blueforlife · January 14, 2025, 03:25:50 PM

Bombers have re-signed linebackers Kyrie Wilson and Shayne Gauthier

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year extensions with veteran linebackers Kyrie Wilson and Shayne Gauthier. Both were scheduled to become a free agents next month.

Wilson (6-1, 227; Fresno State; born: November 5, 1992, in Fresno, CA.) returns in 2025 for his eighth Canadian Football League season, all of them with the Blue Bombers.

Injuries limited Wilson to just regular-season eight games in 2024 plus the Western Final and Grey Cup, all of them starts, but when he was on the field, he was productive in registering 28 defensive tackles and one quarterback sack.

Wilson, 32, has appeared in 51 games over his seven seasons with the Blue Bombers and has 161 tackles, 15 more on special teams, to go along with six sacks, one interception and one forced fumble.

Wilson came to the Blue Bombers in 2017 after signing as an undrafted free agent with the Oakland Raiders. He was a three-year starter at Fresno State.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year extension with veteran linebacker Shayne Gauthier who was scheduled to become a free agent next month.

Gauthier (5-10, 234; Laval; born: February 2, 1992, in Dolbeau-Mistassini, Que.) returns to the Blue Bombers for a ninth season in 2025 after originally being selected by the club in the fourth round, 28th overall, in the 2016 CFL Draft.

Limited to six games due to injury in 2023, Gauthier was again a pillar on special teams and as part of a defensive rotation in 2024 in suiting up for all 18 regular-season games as well as the Western Final and Grey Cup. He registered seven defensive tackles and added one forced fumble in '24, adding 14 tackles on special teams – the third-highest total on the club.

He now has 71 career special-teams tackles, ranking 10th in Blue Bombers history.

Gauthier has now dressed for 105 regular-season CFL games, all with the Blue Bombers, and is a two-time Grey Cup champion following victories in 2019 and 2021.

He played his college ball at Laval, registering 130 tackles over four seasons while twice being named a RSEQ All-Star while earning CIS Second-Team All-Canadian honours as a senior.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/01/14/blue-bombers-re-sign-linebackers-kyrie-wilson-and-shayne-gauthier/

Both key signings, Gauthier is great depth and can start and a demon on teams. Wilson is a beast. Many on here a little hard on Gauthier and suggested he should move on or not play him. All he does is consistently play his role.

Blue In BC · January 14, 2025, 04:45:07 PM

Many said Gauthier should not get too many reps on defence and in 2024 he didn't. He's not getting any younger but does play an important role on ST's and leadership. He cannot and should not start unless we have multiple in game injuries or we have the game out of reach.

Wilson has 51 games in 7 seasons. Personally I would have moved on, but we don't know what his role will be or what his SMS is at the moment. If he's healthy and plays most of the season, then it was a good choice. He's due for a break regarding an injury free season.

All of this also depends on what happens with our other import LB's.

Key signings? Maybe, ask again in September.

Throw Long Bannatyne · January 14, 2025, 04:58:23 PM

Quote from: Blue In BC on January 14, 2025, 04:45:07 PMMany said Gauthier should not get too many reps on defence and in 2024 he didn't. He's not getting any younger but does play an important role on ST's and leadership. He cannot and should not start unless we have multiple in game injuries or we have the game out of reach.

Wilson has 51 games in 7 seasons. Personally I would have moved on, but we don't know what his role will be or what his SMS is at the moment. If he's healthy and plays most of the season, then it was a good choice. He's due for a break regarding an injury free season.

All of this also depends on what happens with our other import LB's.

Key signings? Maybe, ask again in September.

Great signings, Gauthier may not get much MLB playing time but it's nice to have a competent Natl. in reserve, if the ratio comes into play he's always an option to fill in. Happy they're giving Kyrie one more chance, would love to see him stay healthy an entire season, maybe the trick is to manage his reps and rotate him with a younger player like Ayers at WIL.

Sir Blue and Gold · January 14, 2025, 04:59:39 PM

Plus or minus 7 games for Kyrie Wilson this year?

Blue In BC · January 14, 2025, 05:14:29 PM

Quote from: Throw Long Bannatyne on January 14, 2025, 04:58:23 PMGreat signings, Gauthier may not get much MLB playing time but it's nice to have a competent Natl. in reserve, if the ratio comes into play he's always an option to fill in. Happy they're giving Kyrie one more chance, would love to see him stay healthy an entire season, maybe the trick is to manage his reps and rotate him with a younger player like Ayers at WIL.

Yeah, the idea of Ayers and Wilson rotating at WIL is not a bad idea under any circumstance. The game is more and more physical every season as better and better athletes make rosters. To some degree injuries are a matter of luck and I'd say Wilson has had his share of bad luck. I don't think he's injury prone per se, but he's a physical player that hits hard and gets locked hard from bad angles.

Ayers and Cole both spend some time at WIL in 2024 but I'm not sure both will return. Jones can also play at WIL.

IMO there isn't room on the AR for 5 import LB's and only Ayers might be willing to accept a PR spot possibly. At this point we haven't lost Ayers but that could change before free agency.

In a perfect world I'd like to see Bighill as a DI that rotates at LB and in 4 LB defensive sets. He may even start some games depending on the opponent.

theaardvark · January 14, 2025, 05:17:15 PM

Quote from: Sir Blue and Gold on January 14, 2025, 04:59:39 PMPlus or minus 7 games for Kyrie Wilson this year?

I'll take 7 good games at a reasonable $SMS hit, and anything over is bonus. If he ends up on the IR, it has to be the 6 game for the full stint...

Blue In BC · January 14, 2025, 05:21:48 PM

Quote from: theaardvark on January 14, 2025, 05:17:15 PMI'll take 7 good games at a reasonable $SMS hit, and anything over is bonus. If he ends up on the IR, it has to be the 6 game for the full stint...

Sure. He may have a clause that pays more for games played with a decent base + playing incentives. He makes plays when he's on the field.

blue_or_die · January 14, 2025, 06:21:53 PM

If we didn't break the bank on Kyrie, I love having him around in any role. I think he should be a backup/situational LB just like I want with Biggie and we should roll Ayers-Jones-Kramdi.

That's huge depth.

Gauthier has still got it on STs and is an experienced, competent vet LB at low cost so I'm good with that too.

TBURGESS · January 14, 2025, 06:22:29 PM

Two of the old, oft-injured vets I was hoping we'd move on from.

Welcome back, walking wounded.

Blueforlife · January 14, 2025, 06:45:15 PM

Quote from: TBURGESS on January 14, 2025, 06:22:29 PMTwo of the old, oft-injured vets I was hoping we'd move on from.

Welcome back, walking wounded.

Wilson is injury prone yes but let's hope we can get at least half a season. At his best he is one of the best we got. Worth every penny. Kinda like Jeffcoat worth the risk.

Gauthier played 18 games last year. No worries about his reliability imo. He isn't wounded.

I am very happy to see them back and impressed that some are giving Gauthier his props.

Our strength at LB and DL will be our rotation. Just like Costco keep the meat fresh.

Please let us know who you would have signed rather than these two.

Jesse · January 14, 2025, 07:20:27 PM

Quote from: Blueforlife on January 14, 2025, 06:45:15 PMWilson is injury prone yes but let's hope we can get at least half a season. At his best he is one of the best we got. Worth every penny. Kinda like Jeffcoat worth the risk.

Gauthier played 18 games last year. No worries about his reliability imo. He isn't wounded.

I am very happy to see them back and impressed that some are giving Gauthier his props.

Our strength at LB and DL will be our rotation. Just like Costco keep the meat fresh.

Please let us know who you would have signed rather than these two.

The only problem with this team keeping depth pieces is that they seem to be granted their roster spots without having to compete in training camp.

TBURGESS · January 14, 2025, 08:39:24 PM

Quote from: Blueforlife on January 14, 2025, 06:45:15 PMGauthier played 18 games last year for the first time in his career.

FIFY

Sir Blue and Gold · January 14, 2025, 08:52:35 PM

I'm not really worried about Gauthier. He's a good Canadian special teamer but is more plug and playable.

Wilson signing is kinda questionable. Good when healthy but if he doesn't play 14 or 15 it's not a very good deal for us and what are the odds of that? Not super good if you look at the past four years.

Pigskin · January 14, 2025, 09:45:39 PM

Wilson has played in 51 out of a possible 122 games as a Bomber. He averages 3 DTs a game. He has 6 sacks, 1 Int, and 1 FF.

He's had one good year. 2019. 18 games, 63 DTs, 4 STs, 3 sacks, 1 Int.

I was leaning towards Ayers.

Pete · January 14, 2025, 10:41:48 PM

I like these signings, Wilson and Ayers in a rotational role. Also Wilson can spell off at middle linebacker. Hes due some good luck in avoiding injuries and when healthy is sneaky good.
Having said that if someone comes in and beats him out all the better for us.
Gautier same thing,, hes not going to hurt us and if we are able to draft a replacement great,