Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign former Stampeders DL James Vaughters

[Sir Blue and Gold]

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed American defensive lineman James Vaughters to a one-year contract. He was recently released by the Calgary Stampeders ahead of an offseason roster bonus.

The 31-year-old made 32 defensive tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles over 18 regular-season games this past season as a full-time starter at defensive end. He was much more productive in 2023 as he made 15 defensive tackles, five sacks, and two forced fumbles over just six games before suffering a season-ending injury to his arm.

The native of Chicago, Ill. played 27 NFL regular-season games with the Chicago Bears and Atlanta Falcons from 2019 to 2021, recording 33 total tackles, two tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble. He also attended training camp with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2022 but didn't make the club's final roster.

https://3downnation.com/2025/01/31/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-former-stampeders-dl-james-vaughters/

Personally, I love this signing and Willie will be happy if he can play anything close to his 2023 level.

[Pete]

Good signing! There are some strong dts avail in free agency but de position is a real mixed bag.

[blue_gold_84]

Wow, this is pretty exciting!

Link to CFL.ca article

A great addition to the DL.

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers agree to terms with defensive end James Vaughters

WINNIPEG, MB., January 31, 2025 –  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the Club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with veteran American defensive end James Vaughters.

Vaughters (6-1, 256; Stanford; born: June 27, 1993, in Chicago, IL) joins the Blue Bombers after spending the last two years with the Calgary Stampeders. He was released by Calgary on January 27, 2025.

Vaughters appeared in all 18 games with the Stamps in 2024, registering 32 tackles and five sacks – tied for second on the team – while adding two forced fumbles. He had five sacks in six games in 2023 before suffering a season-ending arm injury.

Vaughters originally joined the Stampeders in 2017 and in his two stints with the team – 2017-18; 2023-24 – he appeared in 57 games, accumulating 97 tackles, 21 sacks and three forced fumbles.

After his first run with Calgary, Vaughters signed in the National Football League with the Chicago Bears. He appeared in 17 games over two seasons with the Bears through 2020 and then suited up for 10 more with the Atlanta Falcons in 2021.

Vaughters played four seasons at Stanford (2011-14) as a linebacker, appearing in 54 games, 18 of them starts.

[Blueforlife]

Wonder what the price was? Sounds awesome.

[blue_gold_84]

This signing got me like:

[Blue In BC]

He could be a difference maker. It also suggests why one or both of Haba or Garbutt have not been extended. Yet anyway. It could force their hand to a lower price point to even be back for TC. We still need depth.

[blue_gold_84]

He could be a difference maker. It also suggests why one or both of Haba or Garbutt have not been extended. Yet anyway. It could force their hand to a lower price point to even be back for TC. We still need depth.

I assume both will test free agency but it'd be nice to try and keep at least one of them if possible.

FWIW right now, I think Vaughters and Jefferson are going to be impactful book ends.

[VictorRomano]

I assume both will test free agency but it'd be nice to try and keep at least one of them if possible.

FWIW right now, I think Vaughters and Jefferson are going to be impactful book ends.

I like this signing too, but I feel we still need more beef at DT.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I like this signing too, but I feel we still need more beef at DT.

Cam Lawson will be back which should be a pretty good no effort update for us assuming he bounces back from the injury. Totally agree it would be nice to have another piece though although in general we've been more successful at finding those guys on rookie deals in camp than defensive ends.

[theaardvark]

I like this signing too, but I feel we still need more beef at DT.

(Bolded, potential FA)
90        FOX, Miles    DL    A    6'1    300    28    Wake Forest
9        GARBUTT, TyJuan    DL    A    6'2    255    25    Virginia Tech
45        HABA, Celestin    DL    A    6'1    250    25    Texas A&M Commerce
5    JEFFERSON, Willie    DL    A    6'7    248    34    Stephen F. Austin State
99        KORNELSON, Collin    DL    N    6'3    295    24    Manitoba
99        LAWSON, Cameron    DL    N    6'3    285    26    Queen's
43        OGBEVOEN, Lucky    DL    G    6'2    233    24    Tirol Raiders (ELF)
92        SAMSON, Kyle    DL    N    6'3    290    24    UBC
96        SCHMEKEL, Tanner    DL    N    6'1    300    25    Regina
95    THOMAS, Jake    DL    N    6'1    280    34    Acadia
91        WOODS, Jamal    DL    A    6'2    290    25    Illinois
48    person    WRIGHT, Brandon    DL    A    6'2    250    24    Michigan State
94        ADAMS, Devin    DT    A    6'2    285    26    Peru State College

Kornellson, Samson, Schmekel, Thomas, Woods and Adams are pretty beefy, even if Fox doesn't come back.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I assume both will test free agency but it'd be nice to try and keep at least one of them if possible.

FWIW right now, I think Vaughters and Jefferson are going to be impactful book ends.

Lopsided bookends, Vaughters is 6'-1" 265 lbs, more of a strong inside guy like Micah Johnson than a loop outside guy like Willy.

[blue_or_die]

Well we all talked about how Willie had no one to take attention off him without a Jeffcoat complement, so here's your answer. I'm excited about this signing.

Vaughters-Lawson-Ceresna-Jefferson.

Make it happen, Kyle.

[blue_gold_84]

Lopsided bookends, Vaughters is 6'-1" 265 lbs, more of a strong inside guy like Micah Johnson than a loop outside guy like Willy.

Sure. That doesn't change my opinion that I think they'll make effective bookends together, though.

[Pigskin]

Well I am glad we addressed probably the 2nd. weakest part the team last season. I also like the signing of Jones. The guy can make plays, and is pretty good on teams. Now, lets address the our return game because it wasn't good last season. Grant isn't coming back and Lucky has lost a step.