2025 Free Agency (Blue Bomber Signings/News)

[theaardvark]

When we needed a guard last year, it was Randolph going in, not Wallace. I don't think it's a total long shot to think he could win the spot next year, especially with Walters bringing it up as an option.

I just hope that staff is going to let players decide and not make the determinations in February like you seem to be doing.

Last year, Wallace was a raw rookie.  This year, he has a year of pro play under his belt. 

Randolph had a year more pro exposure, TC with Seattle last year, and the product of Alabama Crimson tide, where he started at G, T and TE.   

We were starting 9 NAT's, so could slot the more experienced Randolph in.  But I think we want Randolph more as a future replacement for Bryant and possibly a DI for ingame replacement of Lofton or Bryant.

Wallace should be our LG out of camp, Randolph either beats out Lofton for RT or is a DI.  Eli is 6th man.  That is how I see the Oline going this year.  With Vanterpool and the other recruits and draft picks being wildcards.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Last year, Wallace was a raw rookie.  This year, he has a year of pro play under his belt. 

Randolph had a year more pro exposure, TC with Seattle last year, and the product of Alabama Crimson tide, where he started at G, T and TE.   

We were starting 9 NAT's, so could slot the more experienced Randolph in.  But I think we want Randolph more as a future replacement for Bryant and possibly a DI for ingame replacement of Lofton or Bryant.

Wallace should be our LG out of camp, Randolph either beats out Lofton for RT or is a DI.  Eli is 6th man.  That is how I see the Oline going this year.  With Vanterpool and the other recruits and draft picks being wildcards.

Another consideration is if a team does not provide a Natl. O-lineman with a chance to start within his first few years, he might look for a team that will give him a better opportunity when FA rolls around, especially if from originally from another region. Not many would be content to watch the years tick by like Eli has. One advantage being a limited quantity Natl. asset has over an easier to find and replace Import.

[Blueforlife]

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/what-the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-top-free-agents-got-paid-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

[Waffler]

Lucky has retired.

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/14/former-all-star-cfl-receiver-lucky-whitehead-retires-from-pro-football/

Lucky has embarked upon a coaching career, receivers and special teams. He'll do great at this.

https://x.com/Luck2fastt/status/1892618481616470054

[Bluehawk]

Curious question for the those on here that follow this alot closer than I do....who is left in free agency that
the Bombers may want or need to pursue?

Thanks
Hawk

[Bluehawk]

Or is there a list of CFL free agency players still available somewhere?

[Blue In BC]

https://3downnation.com/2025/02/19/what-the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-top-free-agents-got-paid-how-they-fit-into-the-roster/

Yeah, I book marked that to see how things progress during TC. It's obviously early so things can change dramatically due to injury, performance in TC and SMS considerations.

A couple of things I noticed which are interesting but not written in stone.

1. T. Wilson and Dolegala listed as # 4 and # 5 QB's.  The competition seems to be set for our # 3 QB and not our # 2 QB. I'd prefer Wilson landed on the AR so he might actually get some playing time. I'm not sure how the other 2 would accept a PR spot. Not even sure Wilson would either.

However, we haven't heard how teams are supposed to deal with their extra $400K SMS. Perhaps we see teams stash 2 players on the 1 game IR ( 1 extra QB and maybe a receiver ) etc just to keep them around. Not the best use of the money but it is an option.

2. J. Jones is listed ahead of K. Wilson at WIL and there were comments that he's pencilled in there. While having K. Wilson as a DI is not the worst idea, it might bump Ayers off the AR just due to ratio.

Initially our DI's will be Castillo and Logan. IMO we'll have an extra import DB or DL as a DI. Both could be rookies at this point. That means any import LB as a DI is fighting against those 2 choices.

All of that may be decided on performance of the depth at relative positions. Technically we have stronger Canadian depth at LB than in the secondary.

3. As I suggested earlier, we have some tough choices regarding our import receiver decisions. Receiver would seem to be the least likely choice for a DI since we have Logan and he'd fill that role in game.

4. Chris-Ike is listed at FB. I guess he needs to make a mark showing what he is capable of doing. No one else is currently listed at FB and he's not listed as the back up RB.

[Blue In BC]

Or is there a list of CFL free agency players still available somewhere?

There is a list on CFL.CA but by my count it's down to less than 60 players. I wouldn't say none are of interest but this is down to mostly depth level players. I guess it depends on where we think we might want to improve and I'm not sure regardless of who is left.

There are a few Canadian OL available. Chungh comes to mind. I don't know if he'll continue playing or would be affordable.

Like every off season I wonder if we see some sort of trade. However we don't exactly have players we want to see gone to gain elsewhere.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

There is a list on CFL.CA but by my count it's down to less than 60 players. I wouldn't say none are of interest but this is down to mostly depth level players. I guess it depends on where we think we might want to improve and I'm not sure regardless of who is left.

There are a few Canadian OL available. Chungh comes to mind. I don't know if he'll continue playing or would be affordable.

Like every off season I wonder if we see some sort of trade. However we don't exactly have players we want to see gone to gain elsewhere.

Can't see why Chungh wouldn't have been picked up already unless he's sending out negative vibes about moving away from Vancouver or refusing to take a paycut. I've never seen him play anywhere else but RG, so not sure how flexible he is on changing position.

[markf]

when you have the fifth ranked O line in the league, an expensive, badly performing offence, an quarterback who is at the end of his career, and on whom the team is completely and utterly dependant,

You should have an o line that consists of the best players to protect him.

Last season there were more than a few games where Zach was besieged by opposing D lineman.including the Grey Cup.

Make sacrifices elsewhere.

[Blue In BC]

Can't see why Chungh wouldn't have been picked up already unless he's sending out negative vibes about moving away from Vancouver or refusing to take a paycut. I've never seen him play anywhere else but RG, so not sure how flexible he is on changing position.

Sure but there are only 8 other teams and not everyone of them will need another OL regardless of the SMS hit.

If he wants to play in 2025 or beyond he'll have to deal with those teams that have an interest.

He'll have to be considered an upgrade and an effective SMS cost and that may no longer be true. I don't see a problem in switching to LG from RG, but there is always the option of Neufeld making that switch as well.

At least he did play in Winnipeg before so that might have SOME value to him if he can't play in Vancouver.

There are some other Canadian OL available but I have no idea whether the Bombers are speaking with any of them.

The 2025 draft doesn't seem to have many in the top 20-30 players ranked.

[Pigskin]

Or is there a list of CFL free agency players still available somewhere?

(OL). Chungh would be a nice upgrade from Dobson. At the right price.


Or a guy like Landon Rice as an experienced backup OL. More of an insurance policy. 


Like to get another (DL). Howsare would be an excellent pickup.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Sure but there are only 8 other teams and not everyone of them will need another OL regardless of the SMS hit.

If he wants to play in 2025 or beyond he'll have to deal with those teams that have an interest.

He'll have to be considered an upgrade and an effective SMS cost and that may no longer be true. I don't see a problem in switching to LG from RG, but there is always the option of Neufeld making that switch as well.

At least he did play in Winnipeg before so that might have SOME value to him if he can't play in Vancouver.

There are some other Canadian OL available but I have no idea whether the Bombers are speaking with any of them.

The 2025 draft doesn't seem to have many in the top 20-30 players ranked.

Walters already held his annual summary of FA presser, I fear he may be done shopping.

[Blue In BC]

Walters already held his annual summary of FA presser, I fear he may be done shopping.

That was based on the 2025 SMS before finding out there was another $400K. So depending on what we hear from the CFLPA on what the expectation was on how to spend this money. There must have been a plan on what to do once money from revenue sharing came to light.

I didn't think that would fall into just adding more expensive players. I thought it would fall in some version of sharing that money across the spectrum of the roster. Raising ELC and the bottom of the roster etc etc.

So adding a $140 - $160K OL or DL don't seem to fall into that category. OTOH, the ELKS may be deciding to do exactly that with their free wheeling free agent acquisitions.

Walters may also be good with using Wallace at LG or willing to bend the ratio using Randolph or another import OL we have or bring into TC. We do have 2 draft choices coming back from 2024, so they MIGHT be in the mix although that seems unlikely as a starter this season.

If we go 3 import OL, another Canadian OL wouldn't necessarily be needed as a 6 OL unless he bumps Wallace or Eli.

So hypothetically what would the right price be for Chungh?  I think if he's deemed good enough to start than similar money to our other 2 Canadian starters makes sense ( So $140K at most )??

[Waffler]

Chungh's last contract:  He got the 190 max value. He'll be 33 by TC start this year.

I would imagine he's holding out for more than he's been offered.  Good move for himself I think. Injury possibilities and the increased salary cap work in his favor. He can be patient.

3downnation:

Sukh Chungh, B.C. Lions (N)

Hard money: $155,000
Maximum value: $190,000

At 31 years old, it seems that Chungh values certainty in his contracts. The homegrown right guard received a $50,000 signing bonus to re-up with the team this offseason and will collect another $35,000 bonus the first time he plays one percent of snaps in a game, with no other incentives written into his contract. /b]