Bomber Free Agents

[BBRT]

bb

If Hogan stays, I fully expect Oliveira to leave. Maybe others as well.

I am afraid you are correct and what worries me more is that Osh is stubborn enough to keep Hogan at the expense of losing Oliveira. And probably will lose lots more folks if Hogan stays around.

[theaardvark]

Seems as good as gone to me. I'll leave it at that.

Free Press:
There's a lot of core pieces that have been here for the last number of years that I think still continue to this day to make an impact on game day," said Oliveira.

"So we don't know what it's going to look like moving forward. There's a lot of free agents, so I think as the months kind of unfold we'll see who's coming back, who's not going to be brought back, and I think that's big into the decision. Like I said, I need to know what's around me and we'll go from there."...

Many players spoke to reporters on Sunday while cleaning out their lockers. Oliveira, however, was nowhere to be found as he was in a meeting with first-year offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan that went longer than expected.

"I had a very good conversation with him. A very good conversation. Obviously, everyone knows my relationship with him. Good conversation, but also some tough conversations as well. But I'll leave it at that," said Oliveira.

Hogan was the team's running backs coach for three seasons prior to taking over Buck Pierce's headset. Oliveira has praised Hogan in recent years, giving him lots of credit for helping the tailback reach CFL stardom. As a playcaller, though, it was a different story. Back in September, Oliveira took a subtle jab by saying, "I think maybe us players could be put in some better situations to succeed as well so that it always doesn't fall on the player."

On Tuesday, Oliveira was asked if the team made a mistake by promoting Hogan to OC.

"I don't think it was a mistake. He deserved an opportunity to showcase his abilities. I mean, the guy works extremely hard. He showed that the last number of seasons," responded Oliveira.

"So I think that's why he was rewarded that opportunity to be an offensive co-ordinator. And I'll leave it at that."

Sounds like Hogan got "Peter Principled"...

Like so many coaches, Lapo and Dyce as HC, they wsere great at OC and STC, but HC was not in their wheelhouse.

Hogan was given the opportunity due to hard work, but has shown that his hard work does not translate into success. 

He needs to go.

[Blue In BC]

Is Ford worth 230k (90k more than holm) , or Robbie smith the highest paid dlineman. or even with Demski at 225k isn't brady more important, younger and more involved in the offense.
Skilled ratio breaking Canadians are always overpaid compared to nonimports.
Just look at Ryan hunter at 275k is he 100k better than Bryant?
If I'm a western division opponent and offer Brady 275k, not only do I get a ratio breaking top rb but i get to weaken the Bombers. If the Bombers match then it weakens their ability to improve under the salary cap (partially because of the Collaros overpay) either way it hurts the bombers either way

No Ford is not worth $90K more than Holm. OTOH, the Elks needed to upgrade their Canadian roster and he was a large part of that. That's the slippery slope of supply and demand where the " need " exceeds logic at times due to ratio aspects.  There was a certain amount of PR involved in uniting the Ford brothers.

You're also assuming there are other teams either needing or willing to pay $275K to get BO. Each team has their specific needs from both a position, SMS and ratio.

If Mills is not a free agent, then you could eliminate the Stamps from the bidding war. Can't really tell what happens in free agency as we see something like 100 players change teams.

At the moment I don't see any other team needing or willing to spend that amount for a RB in free agency. BO only signed a 1 year deal this season. Did he get higher offers elsewhere?

Many teams like Toronto, Ottawa and Edmonton are in rebuilding modes going into 2026. You can only compete for free agents once those that become free agents are avialable.

[GOLDMEMBER]

I think Brady decides on a change of  scenery.

[Blue In BC]

I think Brady decides on a change of  scenery.

It wouldn't surprise me but he may just be playing hardball. I don't think that is wise in a 9 team CFL. Not every team will be interested from a financial point of view.

[ModAdmin]

It's normal for potential free agents to minimize their criticism of other players/coaches on their team and maximize their own perceived contributions to their team. It's negotiation time.

[Ridermania]

It's just business and he has earned his right to shop his services across the league.

Has to take care of his family, as CFL careers can be very short.

[markf]

The focus during this off season clearly needs to be the Oline and the Dline. Protection and Pressure need to be upgraded if we expect to see any improvement in the performance of the team.  I would not want to see Brady in a different uniform but there is only so much money to go around.

Good replacement for Brady is already on the team. Thanks to another good move by Walters.

Mathew Peterson. 5 ft 9 , 209 lbs

24 years old

2025
WPG   15   66   329   1   5.0   38 (rushing)

15   10   51   50   0   5.1   13   ( Receiving.)


Please Upgrade the O line D line .... But Maybe they think those were fine this season. Who knows.

As someone said, earlier,  that would be delusional.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

Sounds like Hogan got "Peter Principled"...

Like so many coaches, Lapo and Dyce as HC, they wsere great at OC and STC, but HC was not in their wheelhouse.

Hogan was given the opportunity due to hard work, but has shown that his hard work does not translate into success. 

He needs to go.

Totally. Was Hogan every a great coach? Literally no one I've ever heard was talking the guy up before he was promoted.

[The Zipp]

Totally. Was Hogan every a great coach? Literally no one I've ever heard was talking the guy up before he was promoted.

Didn't even know he was on the team...remember how long it took to hire him?  Was he option "C"?

[Cool Spot]

Agree that the Bombers need to retool and restructure. My own 2 cents (which admittedly isn't worth very much):

- Do not resign Dalton Schoen and save the $200k+. I don't think he will be able to rehab the re-injured knee and come back at the same level. While it's possible, the odds are ever not in the Bombers favor.
- Try to figure out a way to restructure Collaros' contract. He's been a great player for Winnipeg, but at $600k/season, he's throwing far too many interceptions and incomplete passes. Perhaps the poor O-line and/or sub-par receivers are driving this, but... his stats the past two seasons haven't justified the spend relative to other QB's.
- Re-signing Brady seems like a good idea, IMO he's the best RB in the league. But if he walks, I'd pursue a few other options out there if they are available. I'm not convinced letting him go is the best option; last year, many on this discussion board were quite happy to see Kenny Lawler leave, and that turned out to be a poor decision in hindsight.
- Take all those savings and upgrade the O-line and D-line.

I guess these are pretty obvious moves, but it begs the question why moves like this were not made during last year's offseason.

[Horseman]

I think Brady decides on a change of  scenery.

Sounds like it from way he was talking, but it could also be a bargaining ploy as well to get more money from the Bombers.

[Pete]

Good replacement for Brady is already on the team. Thanks to another good move by Walters.

Mathew Peterson. 5 ft 9 , 209 lbs

24 years old

2025
WPG    15    66    329    1    5.0    38 (rushing)

15    10    51    50    0    5.1    13  ( Receiving.)


Please Upgrade the O line D line .... But Maybe they think those were fine this season. Who knows.

As someone said, earlier,  that would be delusional.

\only benefit Petersen would have is other teams wouldn't have to game plan for him. He's a great backup but personally dont see him as a replacement. Just sign Brady.

[Pete]

Agree that the Bombers need to retool and restructure. My own 2 cents (which admittedly isn't worth very much):

- Do not resign Dalton Schoen and save the $200k+. I don't think he will be able to rehab the re-injured knee and come back at the same level. While it's possible, the odds are ever not in the Bombers favor.
- Try to figure out a way to restructure Collaros' contract. He's been a great player for Winnipeg, but at $600k/season, he's throwing far too many interceptions and incomplete passes. Perhaps the poor O-line and/or sub-par receivers are driving this, but... his stats the past two seasons haven't justified the spend relative to other QB's.
- Re-signing Brady seems like a good idea, IMO he's the best RB in the league. But if he walks, I'd pursue a few other options out there if they are available. I'm not convinced letting him go is the best option; last year, many on this discussion board were quite happy to see Kenny Lawler leave, and that turned out to be a poor decision in hindsight.
- Take all those savings and upgrade the O-line and D-line.

I guess these are pretty obvious moves, but it begs the question why moves like this were not made during last year's offseason.

the renegotiating of Zac right now is a no go. We foolishly gave up the chance when we extended his contract and now we have very little leverage especially if Fajardo were to reup  in Edm.

[Waffler]

It wouldn't surprise me but he may just be playing hardball.

I don't think so. He took a pretty good hometown discount on his last contract.

Offers.
BC: 256k
Hamilton: 275k
WPG: 235k

He makes it clear he wants to win and is not confident of that here.