2025 Free Agency (Blue Bomber Signings/News)

[Sir Blue and Gold]

E.L.C.?
I thought that was an NHL term.?
The CFL doesn't really abide by those do they?

Not in the NHL sense. In the CFL people use ELC as a reference to the league minimum salary ($70,000).

[TecnoGenius]

Not in the NHL sense. In the CFL people use ELC as a reference to the league minimum salary ($70,000).

And the fact they are tied down for 2 years on it (right?).

It seems clear that often the big GC contenders will be the teams that scouted the best ELCs that year or the previous year (incl DPs).  It's really one of the only ways to get a real edge in the SMS CFL... getting a clearly $200k player for $70k (think Schoen, or Ento, or Mack when they were on their ELCs).

[Sir Blue and Gold]

And the fact they are tied down for 2 years on it (right?).

It seems clear that often the big GC contenders will be the teams that scouted the best ELCs that year or the previous year (incl DPs).  It's really one of the only ways to get a real edge in the SMS CFL... getting a clearly $200k player for $70k (think Schoen, or Ento, or Mack when they were on their ELCs).

National draft picks get two year plus a team option year at $70,000 plus housing/bonus topping out around $85,000.

Americans have no such restrictions in their first contract.

You'll still hear people describe American players on an ELC but what they usually mean is the player is signed for near the $70,000 minimum.

[DM83]

Yes, but they are usually given a more appropriate contract if they make a starting spot.

[theaardvark]

And the fact they are tied down for 2 years on it (right?).

It seems clear that often the big GC contenders will be the teams that scouted the best ELCs that year or the previous year (incl DPs).  It's really one of the only ways to get a real edge in the SMS CFL... getting a clearly $200k player for $70k (think Schoen, or Ento, or Mack when they were on their ELCs).

Pretty sure there is a sliding scale for draft pick compensation depending on their draft order.  Higher picks get paid more...  not a huge amount, but still.  Min 2 years, but nothing stopping the team/player from signing a 3 year deal.

[TecnoGenius]

Pretty sure there is a sliding scale for draft pick compensation depending on their draft order.  Higher picks get paid more

First I've heard that... though it kind of stands to reason.  I think I recall some sort of talk of compensation negotiation going on with a raw new DP and it struck me as odd, but I may be misremembering...

The whole DP thing is like a black box to me.  All I know is what picks fall out of it when it's shaken in March or April or whenever the draft is.  And that new DPs are cheap.

[Blue In BC]

First I've heard that... though it kind of stands to reason.  I think I recall some sort of talk of compensation negotiation going on with a raw new DP and it struck me as odd, but I may be misremembering...

The whole DP thing is like a black box to me.  All I know is what picks fall out of it when it's shaken in March or April or whenever the draft is.  And that new DPs are cheap.

I think 1st round and possibly 2nd round draft picks sign 3 year deals. Money is higher than the bottom amount on ELC's.

It appears that most teams are done with signing those free agents remaining. There are still a few good ones, but age, injury history and / or SMS are now considerations. It's possible a few get signed as injuries happen in TC or a few retirement surprises occur?

When do we find out when the rookie tryout camps start?

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

First I've heard that... though it kind of stands to reason.  I think I recall some sort of talk of compensation negotiation going on with a raw new DP and it struck me as odd, but I may be misremembering...

The whole DP thing is like a black box to me.  All I know is what picks fall out of it when it's shaken in March or April or whenever the draft is.  And that new DPs are cheap.

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.

[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.

[DM83]

Too bad for BA.  Easily still one of the better players in the Blue and all other teams.

[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)