Blue Bombers roster - 2025-2026

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Blue Bombers re-sign receiver Nic Demski to two-year contract
December 18, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce that all-star receiver Nic Demski has signed a two-year contract extension through the 2027 Canadian Football League season. Demski had been scheduled to become a free agent in February.

Demski (5-11, 212; University of Manitoba; born December 14, 1993, in Winnipeg, MB) completed his third consecutive 1,000-yard receiving season in 2025, finishing with 67 receptions for 1,001 yards and seven touchdowns.

His strong performance earned him a spot on the CFL West Division All-Star Team for the fifth straight year. Demski has led the Blue Bombers in receiving yards in each of the past two seasons. He now has 42 career receiving touchdowns and 494 career receptions for 6,285 yards, including his 2025 totals.

Demski has now moved into seventh place on the Bombers' all-time receiving yardage list with 6,285 yards. He also sits among the franchise's top scorers, with his 42 receiving touchdowns placing him high on the all-time list.

Originally selected by the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the first round, sixth overall, of the 2015 CFL Draft, Demski returned to his hometown as a free agent in 2018. He has since appeared in 152 regular-season games and five Grey Cups, winning championships with the Blue Bombers in 2019 and 2021.

A Winnipeg product who starred at both the University of Manitoba and Oak Park High School, Demski has twice been named the Blue Bombers' Most Outstanding Canadian (2021, 2022).

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/12/18/blue-bombers-re-sign-receiver-nic-demski-to-two-year-contract/

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Transactions:

2025-12-18   WPG   More, Joseph   OL   A   Arkansas   ADD   Active Roster
2025-12-18   WPG   NICHOLS, Deatrick   DB   A   South Florida   ADD   Active Roster

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign offensive lineman Joseph 'Joe' More
December 18, 2025 Michael Heilman

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed offensive lineman Joseph 'Joe' More on Thursday according to the CFL Transactions page.

Joseph 'Joe' More is six foot five and weighs 311 pounds. A native of Franklin, Tennessee, More transferred to Arkansas in 2024, playing 13 games on special teams for the Razorbacks.

Collegiately, More spent five seasons at the University of Richmond (2018-22), playing right tackle in 37 games for the Spiders. In 2022, Richmond's offense averaged 31.3 points per game, 424.1 total yards per game (5,513 total yards), 282.5 passing yards per game (3,673 passing yards), 141.5 rushing yards per game (1,840 rushing yards), 49 touchdowns, and allowed 26 sacks, finishing 9-4 for the season. He was named Third Team All-CAA.

Next, he transferred to Syracuse in 2023, playing three games after missing most of the season due to an injury. He saw 29 snaps on the offensive line and six more on special teams for the Orange. In 2023, Syracuse's offense averaged 23.5 points per game, 343.3 total yards per game (4,463 yards), 171 passing yards per game (2,223 passing yards), 172.3 rushing yards per game (2,240 rushing yards), 40 touchdowns, and allowed 29 sacks, finishing 6-7 for the season.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2025/12/18/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-offensive-lineman-joseph-joe-more/

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign Nic Demski to contract extension through 2027
By John Hodge -December 18, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed Canadian receiver Nic Demski to a two-year contract extension. He was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

According to 3DownNation reporter John Hodge, Demski's new contract is worth $240,000 in 2026 and $245,000 in 2027. A portion of his salary is guaranteed in 2027.

https://3downnation.com/2025/12/18/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-nic-demski-to-contract-extension/

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Transactions:

2025-12-19   WPG   DEMSKI, Nic   WR   N   Manitoba   ADD   Active Roster

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Blue Bombers announce coaching changes
December 22, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce changes to the coaching staff for the 2026 Canadian Football League season. Tommy Condell has been named the Club's new offensive coordinator, and Jake Thomas will be transitioning from his playing career to become the team's defensive line coach, replacing retiring coach Darrell Patterson. Jason Hogan will return in 2026 as the Club's running backs coach, a role he previously held from 2022-2024.

Condell joins the Blue Bombers after spending the last two years as the offensive coordinator with the Ottawa Redblacks and brings 15 years of Canadian Football League coaching experience with five different teams.

Condell began his CFL career with the Blue Bombers in 1997 as the special teams coordinator on Jeff Reinebold's staff and has experience in the league with the Ottawa Renegades (2004-05), Saskatchewan Roughriders (2006), Hamilton Tiger-Cats (2014-15; 2020-23), Toronto Argonauts (2017-18) and Redblacks (2024-25).

He was part of the coaching staff that helped lead the Argos to the 2017 Grey Cup championship and served as the offensive coordinator with the Roughriders in '06, with the Ticats from '13-15 and again in '21-23 and the Argos in '18 before joining the Redblacks in the same capacity in '24.

His coaching resumé also includes stints with Illinois Wesleyan (1995), Albany Firebirds (1996), Hamilton Continentals (1996), McNeese State (1998-99), Stephen F. Austin (2000), Louisiana-Monroe (2001-03), Southeastern Louisiana (2007-09) and Cornell (2010-12).

The Redblacks ranked eighth in offensive points in 2025 as starting quarterback Dru Brown missed nine games and Ottawa started four different quarterbacks. Ottawa finished the year ranked fifth in passing yards per game (269.3) and sixth in rushing (93.6). In 2024, the Redblacks finished second in passing yards per game (303.1) and ninth in rushing (83.7) as Brown threw for a career-best 3,959 yards in his first year as their starter.

During his days in Hamilton, the Tiger-Cats finished first in scoring and second in passing in 2019 and fourth in scoring and passing in 2019. He also worked with Zach Collaros in Hamilton in 2014-15, when he first emerged as a CFL star quarterback.

Thomas steps into a new role as the defensive line coach after a superb 13-year career with the club that saw him play in 223 regular season games and five Grey Cups, serving as a key member of the championship teams in 2019 and 2021.

His 223 career games rank fourth highest in Blue Bombers history after only Bob Cameron (394), Troy Westwood (293) and Chris Walby (249).

Selected by the Blue Bombers in the fourth round, 29th overall, of the 2012 CFL Draft, the Acadia University product transformed into a reliable starter and respected leader who spent hours in the film room and now transitions to coaching after a career in which he posted 33 sacks, 196 tackles, five forced fumbles and one interception.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/12/22/blue-bombers-announce-coaching-changes/

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Blue Bombers transactions
December 23, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has signed American quarterback Payton Thorne.

Thorne (6-2, 207, Auburn; born: June 26, 2001, in Naperville, IL.) signs with the Bombers after attending camp with the Cincinnati Bengals this season, and a five-year collegiate career with Michigan State (2019-2022) and Auburn (2023-2024).

Thorne signed as an undrafted free agent with the Cincinnati Bengals after being unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft. He appeared in the final preseason game of 2025 and threw for 41 yards on four completions in a loss to the Indianapolis Colts.

Thorne spent three seasons at Michigan State before transferring to Auburn. At Auburn he threw for 4,468 yards and 37 touchdowns and rushed for 798 yards and five touchdowns in 22 starts. During his college career he recorded 10,961 passing yards and 86 touchdowns, along with 1,068 rushing yards and 11 rushing touchdowns in 53 games (46 starts).

The club has also released American defensive back Jamal Parker and American receiver Cam Echols.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2025/12/23/blue-bombers-transactions-24/

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Transactions:

2025-12-23   WPG   Banks, Jahmal   WR   A   Nebraska   ADD   Active Roster
2025-12-23   WPG   ELSBURY, Tyler   OL   A   Iowa   ADD FROM RETIRED   Active Roster
2025-12-23   WPG   ECHOLS, Cam   WR   A   Western Kentucky   DEL   Free Agent
2025-12-23   WPG   ELSBURY, Tyler   OL   A   Iowa   DEL   Active Roster
2025-12-23   WPG   THORNE, Payton   QB   A   Auburn   ADD   Active Roster
2025-12-23   WPG   PARKER, Jamal   DB   A   Kent State   DEL   Free Agent
2025-12-23   WPG   ELSBURY, Tyler   OL   A   Iowa   ADD   Active Roster

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Winnipeg Blue Bombers sign QB Payton Thorne, release two
December 23, 2025 Michael Heilman

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed quarterback Payton Thorne and released wide receiver Cameron Echols-Luper and Jamal Parker Jr. on Tuesday. In addition, offensive lineman Tyler Elsbury was removed from the retired list and placed on the active roster.

Payton Thorne is six foot two and weighs 207 pounds. The 24-year-old from Naperville, Illinois, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025. In 2025, Thorne completed 4 of 7 passes (57.1%) for 41 yards in one preseason game. The Bengals released him on August 25, 2025.

Collegiately, Thorne spent four seasons at Michigan State (2019-22) completing 524 of 860 passes (61%) for 6,494 yards, 49 touchdowns, 24 interceptions, 167 carries for 270 yards, six rushing touchdowns, one catch for 15 yards, and two tackles (2 solos) in 29 games for the Spartans.

Then, he transferred to Auburn University (2023-24), completing 361 of 582 passes (62%) for 4,468 yards, 37 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, 246 carries for 798 yards, and five rushing touchdowns in 24 games for the Tigers.

Cameron Echols-Luper is six foot and weighs 195 pounds. The 30-year-old from Ennis, Texas, made six catches for 71 yards and one tackle in two preseason games. The Stampeders released him on May 30, 2025. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Echols-Luper on August 25, 2025. In 2025, he made two catches for nine yards in one game.

The B.C. Lions signed Echols-Luper signed with the B.C. Lions September 10, 2019. He finished the season on the practice squad. In 2021, he played for the Sea Lions (TSL) with 13 catches for 193 yards.

The New Jersey Generals signed Echols-Luper on April 1, 2022. In 2022, Echols-Luper made three catches for 38 yards, one carry for 24 yards, one touchdown, and 26 kick returns for 748 yards in eight games.

In 2023, he made 23 catches for 294 yards, two touchdowns, eight kick returns for 255 yards, one touchdown, and nine punt returns for 32 yards in ten games. Echols-Luper signed with the New Orleans Breakers on October 4, 2023, but the Breakers were not included in the USFL and XFL merger that formed the United Football League (UFL).

The Calgary Stampeders signed him on January 21, 2024. In 2024, he made 31 catches for 363 yards, four touchdowns, eight kick returns for 181 yards, and 12 punt returns for 109 yards in 12 games.

Collegiately, Echols-Luper played two seasons at TCU (2013-14) with 13 catches for 93 yards, one carry for three yards, completing 3 of 4 passes (75%) for 59 yards, one touchdown, 11 kick returns for 126 yards, 47 punt returns for 536 yards, and one touchdown in 24 games for the Horned Frogs. He was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention as a return specialist in 2014.

Next, Echols-Luper transferred to Arkansas State (2015-16) with 26 catches for 407 yards, one touchdown, seven carries for eight yards, completed 2 of 3 passes (67%) for 66 yards, one touchdown, two kick returns for 35 yards, and four punt returns for 139 yards in 13 games for the Red Wolves.

Then, Echols-Luper transferred to Western Kentucky in 2017 with 42 catches for 473 yards, four touchdowns, two carries for six yards, and 18 kick returns for 390 yards in 10 games for the Hilltoppers.

Jamal Parker Jr. is five foot eight and weighs 177 pounds. The 27-year-old from Pennsauken, New Jersey, re-signed with the Blue Bombers on January 10, 2025. In 2025, he made 36 tackles, one interception, and one touchdown in 11 games.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Parker Jr. on May 15, 2022. In 2022, Parker Jr. made 37 tackles, eight tackles on special teams, one sack, and one interception in 12 games. In 2023, he made 13 tackles and three tackles on special teams in eight games. In 2024, he missed the season due to a knee injury.

Collegiately, Parker Jr. played four seasons at Kent State (2016-19) with 230 tackles (156 solos, 74 assists), four tackles for loss, two sacks, nine interceptions for 99 yards, 38 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick, one carry for 11 yards, 43 kick returns for 1,181 yards, one touchdown, and two punt returns for 18 yards in 48 games for the Golden Flashes. He was named Second Team All-MAC.

Tyler Elsbury is six foot five and weighs 316 pounds. The 24-year-old from Byron, Illinois, attended the Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp in 2025. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Elsbury on May 16, 2025. In 2025, he played left guard in two preseason games. Elsbury spent over a month on the practice squad. He was placed on the retired list on July 21, 2025.

Collegiately, Elsbury played five seasons at Iowa (2020-24), playing guard in 50 games for the Hawkeyes. In 2024, Iowa averaged 27.69 points per game, 197.2 rushing yards per game, 131.6 passing yards per game, 328.8 total yards per game, 43 touchdowns, and allowed 17 sacks, finishing 8-5 for the season and appearing in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.

https://www.bgmsportstrax.com/2025/12/23/winnipeg-blue-bombers-sign-qb-payton-thorne-release-two/

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Coty Wiles  @CotyWilesSports

Can confirm Payton Thorne's contract with the Blue Bombers is through 28', as Winnipeg now has 5 QBs under contract:

Z.Collaros 26'
T.Wilson 26'
C.Artopoeus 26'
B.Perkins 27'
P.Thorne 28'

25' 2nd RD pick Taylor Elgersma also remains a FA, having had two #NFL workouts with the 49ers and Bears

Definitely one of the most intriguing QB rooms in the #CFL