Bomber Free Agents

[Blue In BC]

Quarterback
Chris Streveler (A) NO

Running Back
Brady Oliveira (N) Yes

Receiver
Kody Case (A) NO
Nic Demski (N) Yes
Dillon Mitchell (A) NO
Dalton Schoen (A) NO
Jerreth Sterns (A) Maybe
Keric Wheatfall (A)Maybe

Offensive Line
Stanley Bryant (A) Maybe
Tui Eli (N) Maybe
Chris Kolankowski (N) Maybe
Eric Lofton (A) No
Patrick Neufeld (N) Maybe

Defensive Line
Willie Jefferson (A) NO
Cameron Lawson (N) Yes
Tanner Schmekel (N) Yes
Jake Thomas (N) No
James Vaughters (A) No
Jamal Woods (A) No

Linebacker
Tanner Cadwallader (N) Yes
Shayne Gauthier (N) NO
Kyrie Wilson (A) NO

Defensive Back
Terrell Bonds (A) NO
Michael Griffin II (A) Maybe
Nick Hallett (N) NO
Evan Holm (A) Yes
Demerio Houston (A) Yes
Redha Kramdi (N) Yes
Enock Makonzo (N) NO
Deatrick Nichols (A) Yes
Jamal Parker (A) YES

Specialist
Sergio Castillo (A) Yes
Jamieson Sheahan (G) Yes

https://3downnation.com/2025/11/02/the-winnipeg-blue-bombers-potential-2026-free-agents-list/

I listed many as maybe because it's a domino kind of issue. One from column A and one from column B choice wise. Those that were seriously injured in 2025 I listed as NO due to history and / or severity: Schoen, Makonzo, Streveler, Lofton and Bonds fall into that group.

A couple like Hallett and Gauthier still have mileage but draft choices have to replace someone.

[gordo]

Buckle up.  I'd say we are in for much of the same next year.

From yesterdays Mike Oshea interview...

"The sky isn't falling"
"Do I believe in wholesale change? Never."
"I'll never believe in wholesale change," said O'Shea."

On Jason Hogan... " "Yeah, he deserves the opportunity to have that conversation, for sure, and to come back."

[dd]

Buckle up.  I'd say we are in for much of the same next year.

From yesterdays Mike Oshea interview...

"The sky isn't falling"
"Do I believe in wholesale change? Never."
"I'll never believe in wholesale change," said O'Shea."

On Jason Hogan... " "Yeah, he deserves the opportunity to have that conversation, for sure, and to come back."

Ya, I think its a given that Collaros and Hogan are back, but it was also mentioned that Zach has openly criticized the play calling and MOS said he should have given more support to the offense--read - listened to what Zach was saying!! I can honestly see Collaros playing next year and then retiring to become our QB coach or ***. OC, I also see us bringing in Arbuckle or Crum as his understudy with the hope of further developing them into our #1 in 2027

[theaardvark]

Ya, I think its a given that Collaros and Hogan are back, but it was also mentioned that Zach has openly criticized the play calling and MOS said he should have given more support to the offense--read - listened to what Zach was saying!! I can honestly see Collaros playing next year and then retiring to become our QB coach or ***. OC, I also see us bringing in Arbuckle or Crum as his understudy with the hope of further developing them into our #1 in 2027

Loyalty issues aside, I can't see any scenario where Hogan returns as OC.

If we can't lure Lapo out of the plush TV gig, maybe we pick up a guy like Condell.  Its tough to poach a guy under contract, no "Asst HC" spot available,  but we should let guys know we are looking by firing Hogan now, so that guys that might be interested don't re-sign immediately.

Can we bring in someone with experience, or can we take a chance on someone new, maybe someone out of the college ranks?

[Waffler]

I also see us bringing in Arbuckle or Crum as his understudy

I see Streveller rehabbing his knee instead.

I feel bad for the people thinking any kind of rebuild is coming, coaches or players. MOS is telling us the process can be improved.

[Jesse]

Giving the same players more money doesn't mean it's wisely spent doing that.

I didn't say it was wise or dumb. Some people just have certain dollar amounts in their head as "too expensive" when it represents a smaller percentage of the cap than it used to.

A player may receive a raise but take up less of the cap. Or a player worth 200k 5 years ago now represents closer to 300k now. It just takes a shift in thinking.

[markf]

My impression of Mike O'Shea over the years is that in public, from him everything is pretty good, and no major mistakes have been made.and he has become an accomplished media manager, who probably enjoys fencing with reporters.

Its annoying, but what's the benefit to the team of saying "yeah we stink, our O line is bad...etc"

why would he say "Hogan did a bad job.  NO way he's back as o.c. "  That would be pointless and rude. And these people are friends.

But After the season he just oversaw, it's hard to believe he thinks everything is  fine.

I hope.

[bunker]

My impression of Mike O'Shea over the years is that in public, from him everything is pretty good, and no major mistakes have been made.and he has become an accomplished media manager, who probably enjoys fencing with reporters.

Its annoying, but what's the benefit to the team of saying "yeah we stink, our O line is bad...etc"

why would he say "Hogan did a bad job.  NO way he's back as o.c. "  That would be pointless and rude. And these people are friends.

But After the season he just oversaw, it's hard to believe he thinks everything is  fine.

I hope.

I wish I could believe this, but having watched him in his tenure here, I think he genuinely believes that if they just work a little harder, and execute a little better, his guys know how to win and will right the ship. Its a bit delusional at this point. His loyalty to players and insistence on staying the course were his strongest qualities when we were winning, but I think will ultimately be his downfall. Hope I am wrong.

[Blue In BC]

I didn't say it was wise or dumb. Some people just have certain dollar amounts in their head as "too expensive" when it represents a smaller percentage of the cap than it used to.

A player may receive a raise but take up less of the cap. Or a player worth 200k 5 years ago now represents closer to 300k now. It just takes a shift in thinking.

I don't completely agree. Some players are over paid due to bidding wars and a given team needs to fill a certain need.

That doesn't mean a Canadian starter should get $300K ( as an example ) just because the SMS went up.

Let's use Collaros as the example. Does he deserve another $50K when he's on the downside of his career and is at the top or near top of the pay scale? There has to be a limit for the top players IMO. It's gone too far at the top and not far enough on the middle group.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I wish I could believe this, but having watched him in his tenure here, I think he genuinely believes that if they just work a little harder, and execute a little better, his guys know how to win and will right the ship. Its a bit delusional at this point. His loyalty to players and insistence on staying the course were his strongest qualities when we were winning, but I think will ultimately be his downfall. Hope I am wrong.

Seems counter-intuitive to a long coaching career, I would think remaining neutral and not getting attached to specific players would be a key, rely on the process not the individuals. If O'Shea had coached up through the college system he would have had the experience of cycling through new players every year with a constant turnover and might have learned to detach himself from the individual components in favour of building the machine.  That's how I remember Mike Riley the coach.

[dd]

I think MOS demands his players come to camp in shape ready to compete for jobs. Not in shape/too slow, see ya later. He did that to Andrew Harris, arguably one of the more popular players ever here, did that to Bighill--replaced him with a younger, faster, cheaper version of the MLB he wanted to see on the field, and he sat Dillon Mitchell down long and hard this season. I don't think he'll hand onto guys who see thinks can't get the job done.

He was a smart football player and knows first hand what it takes to win. He sets the bar for expected behaviour  in the clubhouse and he gets maximum effort from his players. I expect him to review what didn't go well this year, and address it accordingly. I don't expect him to replace Collaros, in fact I'd bet anything he's back next season, and I don't think Hogan is going anywhere either.

[VictorRomano]

Just listened to Brady's year end interview.  My take: 

70% chance he leaves, 30% chance he re-signs.  0% chance he re-signs if Hogan is back as OC.  Almost his entire interview was spoken in past tense, as if he was saying goodbye, but one line stood out:

"I play football to win championships."

With Hogan as OC, that's not gonna happen.

If he leaves, I bet he winds up in BC for the chance to work  under Buck (again) and with Rourke.

[Waffler]

If he leaves, I bet he winds up in BC

Logical assumption. but can they afford him?

[bunker]

I think MOS demands his players come to camp in shape ready to compete for jobs. Not in shape/too slow, see ya later. He did that to Andrew Harris, arguably one of the more popular players ever here, did that to Bighill--replaced him with a younger, faster, cheaper version of the MLB he wanted to see on the field, and he sat Dillon Mitchell down long and hard this season. I don't think he'll hand onto guys who see thinks can't get the job done.

He was a smart football player and knows first hand what it takes to win. He sets the bar for expected behaviour  in the clubhouse and he gets maximum effort from his players. I expect him to review what didn't go well this year, and address it accordingly. I don't expect him to replace Collaros, in fact I'd bet anything he's back next season, and I don't think Hogan is going anywhere either.

But the main things that did not go well this year were a poor performance by the OC, and Zach continuing to age out to the point where he's not only not elite anymore, but heading towards being a below average QB who cannot throw the deep ball and is a turnover machine in many games. How can he correct these if he hangs on to these two. Zach arguably could be better with a better O-line, but that's not necessarily easy to accomplish.

[Jesse]

I don't completely agree. Some players are over paid due to bidding wars and a given team needs to fill a certain need.

That doesn't mean a Canadian starter should get $300K ( as an example ) just because the SMS went up.

Let's use Collaros as the example. Does he deserve another $50K when he's on the downside of his career and is at the top or near top of the pay scale? There has to be a limit for the top players IMO. It's gone too far at the top and not far enough on the middle group.

I more mean that an elite player may have earned 200k in 2019. Now an elite player may go for 275. It represents the same portion of the cap, so people should let sticker shock convince them a player is over paid.

I'm not suggesting that our players deserve raises just because the cap is going up. It was more of a general comment that salaries are increasing.