2025 Free Agency (Blue Bomber Signings/News)

[Jesse]

The following is from https://cfldb.ca/faq/compensation/

The 2019 CBA introduced a rookie salary structure for Nationals first contract consisting of 2 years plus a team option. Starting in 2023, a Max. Min salary (interpret as you will) is defined as $70,000 for the first two years of the contract, with a maximum housing allowance or signing/roster bonus of $7,500 per season and maximum 50% + 1 bonus based on snaps of $7,500 per season for a maximum earnings of $85,000 for first and second round picks in their first two seasons, with the third season base salary not exceeding the second year base salary by more that 10%. Third and fourth round picks have similar restrictions, except the housing allowance or signing/roster bonus is capped at $5,000 per season for a maximum earnings of $82,500. Fifth round picks and higher along with undrafted Nationals have the same restrictions except the optional housing allowance or signing/roster bonus for the first two years of the contract are capped at $2,500 limiting earnings to a maximum of $80,000 per season. There are no restrictions on the amount of contracts or bonuses for American players signing their first CFL contract. See Section 9.02 of the CBA for more details.

Seems to me having a ceiling of $85k on draft pick earnings for 2 years acts as an impediment to signing highly skilled Cdn. college players like Nathan Rourke. No wonder so many O-linemen going fishing for NFL deals straight out of school.

That makes sense.

When we drafted Henoc Muamba, he signed a contract for 100k right off the bat. It was a negotiation, not a CBA determined amount.

[theaardvark]

The following is from https://cfldb.ca/faq/compensation/

The 2019 CBA introduced a rookie salary structure for Nationals first contract consisting of 2 years plus a team option. Starting in 2023, a Max. Min salary (interpret as you will) is defined as $70,000 for the first two years of the contract, with a maximum housing allowance or signing/roster bonus of $7,500 per season and maximum 50% + 1 bonus based on snaps of $7,500 per season for a maximum earnings of $85,000 for first and second round picks in their first two seasons, with the third season base salary not exceeding the second year base salary by more that 10%. Third and fourth round picks have similar restrictions, except the housing allowance or signing/roster bonus is capped at $5,000 per season for a maximum earnings of $82,500. Fifth round picks and higher along with undrafted Nationals have the same restrictions except the optional housing allowance or signing/roster bonus for the first two years of the contract are capped at $2,500 limiting earnings to a maximum of $80,000 per season. There are no restrictions on the amount of contracts or bonuses for American players signing their first CFL contract. See Section 9.02 of the CBA for more details.

Seems to me having a ceiling of $85k on draft pick earnings for 2 years acts as an impediment to signing highly skilled Cdn. college players like Nathan Rourke. No wonder so many O-linemen going fishing for NFL deals straight out of school.

When a player declares for the draft as a NAT, he knows that his first two years are capped, but that the rest of his career is going to be at a premium.  Even if he was an uncapped American, the first contract is going to rarely be more than min wage, unless he's coming from an NFL team.  Drafted NAT's do not have to sign with their drafting team, they have the option of sitting out..

How long does a club hold a drafted player's rights for?

A club holds a player's rights for as long as he is in school or playing in another professional football league. Once a player is no longer in school or playing professional football, a team loses his rights one full calendar year following his graduation. For example, a player who graduates in April, 2008 and doesn't remain in school or play professional football would become a free agent January 1, 2010.

[TecnoGenius]

This is all great info, thanks all!!

If your goal is to keep costs down / knowable, then it looks like the league has done a great job.  And good NATs need to pray they don't get a career-ender in week 21 of year 2!

[Stats Junkie]

Ed Tait posted on social media that Brandon Alexander has announced his retirement (via FB)


** EDIT **

Ed Tait, Derek Taylor & John Hodge have all issued corrections after clarification from BA. It is not a retirement - just a farewell to Winnipeg.

[Blue In BC]

BA was a key player for us over the years. Like most players, injuries and age add up.

Thanks for being a great Bomber, teammate and fan friendly player. You'll be remembered.

[ModAdmin]

Brandon Alexander

8 years strong with 1 professional team.

To the Blue Bombers that gave me a chance to play ball again I'm grateful and hopefully everyday of my 8 years  I showed how grateful I was/am for that opportunity.

My teammates/fans over that period of time made it easy to go to put it on the line everyday.
I can't thank the fans enough that accepted me into your home of Winnipeg, Manitoba. You've seen me start my career as a 23 year old young adult. Always stood behind me and watched me grow into the football player y'all loved to cheer for. Winnipeg only shines because you all put the lights in and on the stadium. I will miss the love I've felt over the years. #1 fanbase in the CFL without a doubt.
And to my teammates, Ya'll already know what it is,

Too many memories were given to me that I will carry for the rest of my life. Can't replace that. "Love y'all boys."
37 out ✌🏾
(Not a retirement post. One day, but not today)

[Jesse]

Ed Tait posted on social media that Brandon Alexander has announced his retirement (via FB)


** EDIT **

Ed Tait, Derek Taylor & John Hodge have all issued corrections after clarification from BA. It is not a retirement - just a farewell to Winnipeg.

Bump, just in case anyone missed the edit.

[dd]

Ed Tait posted on social media that Brandon Alexander has announced his retirement (via FB)


** EDIT **

Ed Tait, Derek Taylor & John Hodge have all issued corrections after clarification from BA. It is not a retirement - just a farewell to Winnipeg.

So he's leaving Winnipeg?? Has he signed somewhere else and I missed it??

[ModAdmin]

So he's leaving Winnipeg?? Has he signed somewhere else and I missed it??

He wasn't re-signed by Winnipeg.  But he is not ready to retire yet.  He has not been signed by another team as of today.

[TecnoGenius]

BA37 should get his own send-off thread.  He came around the time Biggie did, and when we put him at FS our D was instantly legit.  His contribution to our GC run cannot be understated.

Thanks BA for all the great seasons!  You are appreciated.  Good luck on your next endeavor.

This is yet another "changing of the guard" oldsters-out casualty (Biggie, Woli, Jeffcoat, Kenny?).  The team is definitely not the same as that '19 winning team.

And it's a bit of a witch-burning moment as one of those GC TDs to Brissett had BA37 not following him on his sneaky route.  Ball went right past BA.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

BA37 should get his own send-off thread.  He came around the time Biggie did, and when we put him at FS our D was instantly legit.  His contribution to our GC run cannot be understated.

Thanks BA for all the great seasons!  You are appreciated.  Good luck on your next endeavor.

This is yet another "changing of the guard" oldsters-out casualty (Biggie, Woli, Jeffcoat, Kenny?).  The team is definitely not the same as that '19 winning team.

And it's a bit of a witch-burning moment as one of those GC TDs to Brissett had BA37 not following him on his sneaky route.  Ball went right past BA.

Pretty clear BA's best playing days are behind him, but it would sure be nice to see him start off his coaching career right here in Wpg on the ground floor as an defensive assistant, he's a heart and soul guy and also a great communicator.

[J5V]

1. Erroneous fan information. The entry level contract has a bogus "if the player and club agree":@ mutual agreement regarding a ." First year negotiation period " exists if both parties agree." This is not binding in any way, as noted by the Muamba contract, and probably Rourke. Players clearly signed a contract for no such minimum.  The term entry level contract is an entry level contract only somewhat exclusive to the NHl.

Huh?

[theaardvark]

Huh?

He's saying that players are not locked into ELC's and can, by mutual decision, be paid a lot more than the minimum.

So he wants us to stop using the term ELC.

[J5V]

He's saying that players are not locked into ELC's and can, by mutual decision, be paid a lot more than the minimum.

So he wants us to stop using the term ELC.

Ahh ... okay, lol

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

It seems CFL.ca has taken down the Free Agent page, anyone know where else that page can be found?