2025 Free Agency (other CFL teams Signings/News)

[Blue In BC]

I think we signed 8 FA's with CFL experience that will be for greater than CFL minimums.

Then Tony Jones, Holm, Lofton probably got decent raises over their last contract with us.

It all adds up. Depth over a couple high end contracts.

We lost Lawler, Woli, Dobson, Augustine, Feltmate, Ford, Bighill, Cole, Garbutt, Haba, Fox and Alexander.

I don't think the additions equal those that we lost in either net talent or SMS.

Holm, Lofton and Jones didn't get significant raises. Logan got more that Whitehead.

[dd]

ya, the elks have really upgraded their D with  that ferocious D line and Ford at corner. They will be a contender this year in the west for sure. Their offense may struggle under Ford's guidance, but they have a nice safety blanket in Fajardo. I think the Elks went from worst to first this off season.

[dd]

We lost Lawler, Woli, Dobson, Augustine, Feltmate, Ford, Bighill, Cole, Garbutt, Haba, Fox and Alexander.

I don't think the additions equal those that we lost in either net talent or SMS.

Holm, Lofton and Jones didn't get significant raises. Logan got more that Whitehead.

Did Augustine and Alexander sign elsewhere ??

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Looks like Hervey and the Elks are spending the extra 400k fromthe cap
https://3downnation.com/2025/02/16/elks-sign-dl-brandon-barlow-after-ticats-release-prior-to-offseason-roster-bonus/
dont think i can remember a gm thats signed so many high profile free agents, their dline is going to be a force with Smith, Ceresna, Brinkman and now Barlow (all ex argos)

Could be the new owner whispered in Ed's ear to do what it takes to turn it around quickly. 10,000 extra fans coming out to every home game to cheer on a winning team will easily cover his fines for going over budget.

[Jesse]

We lost Lawler, Woli, Dobson, Augustine, Feltmate, Ford, Bighill, Cole, Garbutt, Haba, Fox and Alexander.

I don't think the additions equal those that we lost in either net talent or SMS.

Holm, Lofton and Jones didn't get significant raises. Logan got more that Whitehead.

No one you listed aside from Lawler made any more money than we're paying their replacements.

[Pete]

No one you listed aside from Lawler made any more money than we're paying their replacements.

Ford is 230 at least, Dobson is close to 200 as well.

[DM83]

Elks will blow it with Ford at QB.  He can't read. He will run around and be a hot dog. Maybe get enuff first downs running to beat lousy teams.  But he is probably the worst "starting" QB.
I mean him as a starter is a joke.

The Bombers with a lack of commitment to find a real player at guard, and an ancient offensive line and a skittish QB, won't be doing very well. Managements odd decision to not make an effort to bring in star players is disappointing.  The signing of mediocre free agents, and aging players in prime positions is risky business.  Coupled with an unrealistic dependence on previously uninjured players is really stupid. Zac and Brady have been amazing.....but what do we have behind them? Not re-signing Augustine is disrespectful and stupid.  No realistic Backup to Zac is dumb.

[Blueforlife]

Elks will blow it with Ford at QB.  He can't read. He will run around and be a hit dog.  Maybe get enuff first downs running to beat lousy teams.  But he is probably the worst "starting" QB.
I mean him as a starter is a joke.

The Bombers with a lack of commitment to find a real player at guard, and an ancient offensive line and a skittish QB, won't be doing very well. Managements odd decision to not make an effort to bring in star players is disappointing.  The signing of mediocre free agents, and aging players in prime positions is risky business.  Coupled with an unrealistic dependence on previously uninjured players is really stupid. Zac and Brady have been amazing.....but what do we have behind them? Not re-signing Augustine is disrespectful and stupid.  No realistic Backup to Zac is dumb.

Zach is not skittish imo.  Bombers has lost some good ones and added some reasonable talent.  More to come.  OL worries me a bit.  I really like Augustine.  We are as deep at backup QB as we have been for years.  I think we will have a decent club this year if the OL can come together and we find more talent at DT, DB and cdns.

Can't understand a lot of what you say here.

[Jesse]

Ford is 230 at least, Dobson is close to 200 as well.

We're talking about extra money the Bombers have as a result of these players leaving.

They make that now, but we didn't pay them anywhere close to that last season. Them leaving doesn't open up money for us.

[Blue In BC]

Did Augustine and Alexander sign elsewhere ??

They haven't signed anywhere yet.

[Blue In BC]

No one you listed aside from Lawler made any more money than we're paying their replacements.

No Bomber receiver is getting $285K like Lawler did in 2024. Schoen took a cut of about $40K. Those two reductions must be over $120K less. Woli and Augustine weren't on ELC's.

I don't think any of the free agent Canadian signings are going to earn what they did. You really think Cobb will get the same as Woli?

It's too bad salaries aren't public information but in my mind I don't see where we spent the money.

[Jesse]

No Bomber receiver is getting $285K like Lawler did in 2024. Schoen took a cut of about $40K. Those two reductions must be over $120K less. Woli and Augustine weren't on ELC's.

I don't think any of the free agent Canadian signings are going to earn what they did. You really think Cobb will get the same as Woli?

It's too bad salaries aren't public information but in my mind I don't see where we spent the money.

I think it's less money spread across more players.

The only place where we saved money is the reduction of Lawler and Schoen.

Let's say we get 50 from Schoen and another 135 from the reduction from Lawler to Mitchell.

It's not nearly this simple of course. But that's less than 200k which would be accounted for pretty quickly.

Some people don't account for things like this, but Brady make 10k more this year than he did last year. Demski and Collaros are also in the last years of their deals and I thinks it's likely that they are also getting paid a bit more than in the first years of their deals. Holm re-signed for a bit of a raise, Lofton, Tony Jones. All need more money than last season. How much of that 200k is left?

I mentioned we signed 8 CFL vets. None of which will come in for the rookie minimum. At minimum, they'll make the 100k that Augustine and Woli were making; and in the case of Vaughters, probably a bit more.

Not to say that we shouldn't still go hunting for improvements on the roster. I still think Walters should go for broke and pay the fines if we need to. But I don't think we have spent that much less money than last year just because Lawler is gone. We've made investments.

[Blue In BC]

I think it's less money spread across more players.

The only place where we saved money is the reduction of Lawler and Schoen.

Let's say we get 50 from Schoen and another 135 from the reduction from Lawler to Mitchell.

It's not nearly this simple of course. But that's less than 200k which would be accounted for pretty quickly.

Some people don't account for things like this, but Brady make 10k more this year than he did last year. Demski and Collaros are also in the last years of their deals and I thinks it's likely that they are also getting paid a bit more than in the first years of their deals. Holm re-signed for a bit of a raise, Lofton, Tony Jones. All need more money than last season. How much of that 200k is left?

I mentioned we signed 8 CFL vets. None of which will come in for the rookie minimum. At minimum, they'll make the 100k that Augustine and Woli were making; and in the case of Vaughters, probably a bit more.

Not to say that we shouldn't still go hunting for improvements on the roster. I still think Walters should go for broke and pay the fines if we need to. But I don't think we have spent that much less money than last year just because Lawler is gone. We've made investments.

Tony Jones probably got something close to what Bighill was getting. Jon Jones probably equal to Cole SMS.

I understand that we signed 8 CFL vets but most were back ups replacing starters or regulars at the least. Noah Hallett is another player that the replacement might be Hagerty.

I can't prove you're incorrect that we spent the same by spreading it out over more players.

I continue to be against the idea of excessive spending and not worrying about the fines etc. Besides, at this point there is no place to spend it on additions. Potential free agent list is down to about 60 players.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Tony Jones probably got something close to what Bighill was getting. Jon Jones probably equal to Cole SMS.

I understand that we signed 8 CFL vets but most were back ups replacing starters or regulars at the least. Noah Hallett is another player that the replacement might be Hagerty.

I can't prove you're incorrect that we spent the same by spreading it out over more players.

I continue to be against the idea of excessive spending and not worrying about the fines etc. Besides, at this point there is no place to spend it on additions. Potential free agent list is down to about 60 players.

No point trying to make the math work when we don't know any numbers, but Vaughters may have been offered the same as Mitchell $150k, Reggie White, Stern, Patterson and Logan $125k, everyone else they brought in probably earning union wages around $100k or less.

[dd]

They haven't signed anywhere yet.

I am hoping we sign Augustine for a NAT backup to Brady, he's good on ST and does a good job when given the opportunity to run the ball.

Also hoping we can sign Alexander and get him into TC and see where he's at with his foot speed, can he be a half back for us and we move someone else over to safety, or will he be a depth player for us in case of injury?? I don't think either one catches on with another club.