Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-sign starting OL Eric Lofton

[Sir Blue and Gold]

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed American offensive lineman Eric Lofton to a one-year contract extension, tying him to the team through 2025. He was a pending free agent.

The six-foot-four, 293-pound blocker started all 18 regular-season games at right tackle for the Blue Bombers in 2024, helping Winnipeg finish fifth league-wide in sacks allowed (36) and third in rushing yards per game (111.7). He also started the West Final and Grey Cup.

Lofton signed his first CFL contract with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2017 and dressed for one game. He played another three matchups with the team the following season before leaving for the Edmonton Elks.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/03/winnipeg-blue-bombers-re-sign-starting-ol-eric-lofton/

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers re-sign offensive lineman Eric Lofton

WINNIPEG, MB., February 3, 2025 –  The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American offensive tackle Eric Lofton to a one-year contract extension.

Lofton (6-4, 293, Temple; born: March 6, 1993, in Lumberton, NJ) returns to Winnipeg for a second consecutive season and third overall after also spending 2022 with the club.

Lofton started all 18 games plus the Western Final and Grey Cup at right tackle last season for the Blue Bombers and was part of a unit that helped running back Brady Oliveira capture his second straight rushing title while quarterback Zach Collaros set a career high in passing yards.

In 2023, Lofton started 14 games at tackle for the Saskatchewan Roughriders and he has also spent two seasons (2019-20) with the Edmonton Elks, suiting up for two games. He started his CFL career with the Ottawa Redblacks, dressing in four games during the 2017 and 2018 seasons.

The New Jersey native played five collegiate seasons (2011-2015) at Temple University. He appeared in 37 games, making starts at right tackle, right guard and left guard.

 

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed American offensive lineman Eric Lofton to a one-year contract extension, tying him to the team through 2025. He was a pending free agent.

The six-foot-four, 293-pound blocker started all 18 regular-season games at right tackle for the Blue Bombers in 2024, helping Winnipeg finish fifth league-wide in sacks allowed (36) and third in rushing yards per game (111.7). He also started the West Final and Grey Cup.

Lofton signed his first CFL contract with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2017 and dressed for one game. He played another three matchups with the team the following season before leaving for the Edmonton Elks.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/03/winnipeg-blue-bombers-re-sign-starting-ol-eric-lofton/

Good, maintains continuity, I wonder what his natural position is and if they would consider moving him to LOG if Dobson doesn't re-sign, allowing Randolph to play RT.

[Blue In BC]

Good maintains continuity, I wonder what his natural position is and if they would consider moving him to LOG if Dobson doesn't re-sign, allowing Randolph to play RT.

I was wondering something along the same lines. That said both are 300 lbs while Dobson and Wallace are 340 lbs. In that sense lighter and faster foot speed might be better at OT.

It's a possibility that we consider a 3 import OL but I think it's remote at the moment. Even if we do lose Dobson, I think Wallace is next man up.

Losing Ford is a reduction to our ratio of Canadian starters. We might see Kelly starting over Alexander, but that's still up in the air.

[Pigskin]

Good signing. Solid Vet, that knows our system.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Stanley Bryant is going to be 39 before the season even starts. It's good to have Lofton and Randolph both signed for obvious reasons.

[theaardvark]

Good maintains continuity, I wonder what his natural position is and if they would consider moving him to LOG if Dobson doesn't re-sign, allowing Randolph to play RT.

I think its better, if Dobson does not return and we go 3 Americans, with Randolf at OG, and Lofton playing his natural CFL position at RT...

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I was wondering something along the same lines. That said both are 300 lbs while Dobson and Wallace are 340 lbs. In that sense lighter and faster foot speed might be better at OT.

I see where you got 340 lbs. from, but that has to be a typo, no way Dobson carries that much more weight than Stanley and Neufeld.  His body looks to be the same size as Kolo and he weighs in at 290 lbs.

[markf]

Surprised me.

"Winnipeg finish fifth league-wide in sacks allowed (36) and third in rushing yards per game (111.7). "

Not great. Specially with the league best running back.

So far  not much done about this player wise. ....edit... (Someone said lots of import o lineman coming)

[TecnoGenius]

Good maintains continuity, I wonder what his natural position is and if they would consider moving him to LOG if Dobson doesn't re-sign, allowing Randolph to play RT.

Did you guys not see Randolph the game or 2 when he played LT?  Unless/until he drastically improves, Randolph is best at OG.  And he was darn good at it too!

I knew Lofton would stay, as he's that borderline-good / very-good type player that is near ideal from a retention / cost standpoint.  I think Dobson is the same tier, and thus I think we retain him too.

I'm happy we get the continuity and it'll show in week 1.  And I'm happy Lofton proved me wrong last year and was great in pass-pro by week 21.

[TecnoGenius]

"Winnipeg finish fifth league-wide in sacks allowed (36) and third in rushing yards per game (111.7). "

Not great. Specially with the league best running back.

3rd is pretty darn good when you consider that our run game didn't exist for the first third of the season, and our OL stunk until after labor day.

If we keep continuity and build on the great work the OL was doing to close out '24, we should do quite well right out of the gate this time.

[Blue In BC]

I see where you got 340 lbs. from, but that has to be a typo, no way Dobson carries that much more weight than Stanley and Neufeld.  His body looks to be the same size as Kolo and he weighs in at 290 lbs.

Ok, the roster page weight might be incorrect. Aside from knowing whether he will re-sign, I don't know what the team feels about Wallace or Randolph. Ratio comes into play.

The good thing so far is that Dobson has not signed elsewhere YET.

[DM83]

  we need road graders, push the pile never stop tough o linemen.
If we want to win, those babies can't get pushed back into Zac's turf.
We had routine disaster every pass play, as Zac had to escape the pocket routinely.
Nuff said.