Blue Bombers sign Redha Kramdi to two-year contract extension

[Waffler]

And yet, so far, it appears we are doing way more 3's and 2's than last FA

I think it's the extra cap money. Walters says I can offer you more but I need a multi-year in return. Nothing more sinister than that.

[theaardvark]

Getting key NATs under extended contract is the cornerstone of FA.

Kramdi is a leader and a thumper, and embodies the MOS style of play.

So happy he's back.

[bunker]

And yet, so far, it appears we are doing way more 3's and 2's than last FA.  No need to speculate, though: let's just wait until most of FA is done and then just count how many 2 & 3 year deals in FA26 vs FA25.  It will either be true, or not.  After that, we can figure out the "why".

I'll put my tinfoil hat on, and point out that they negotiate a new broadcasting deal in 2026. Maybe Walters knows or is betting that with the increased $, the cap will go up, and is locking down longer contracts now, which may look like relative bargains under the new cap.

[Tecno]

When the dollars are announced on Kramdi I'm sure we paid the very top dollar on this contract just like we did with Oliveira.

Define "top dollar".  I doubt we paid Kramdi more than T.Jones or Kyrie or Holm.  Kramdi is still not Pickett, talent-wise.  His only salary ammo is his passport.  I bet Kramdi got a nice 10-15% bump over his last contract.  But he's not getting $200k+ like the superNATs get.

[Tecno]

I'll put my tinfoil hat on, and point out that they negotiate a new broadcasting deal in 2026. Maybe Walters knows or is betting that with the increased $, the cap will go up, and is locking down longer contracts now, which may look like relative bargains under the new cap.

Agreed.  That's part of it.  From all appearances it seems the cap is going to go up every year, and by more than any CBA mandated minimum.

HAM was the first to front-load all of these cap increases when they overpaid Kenny last season.  By FA27 we'll look at Kenny's last deal and think it was cheap.

[Jesse]

Define "top dollar".  I doubt we paid Kramdi more than T.Jones or Kyrie or Holm.  Kramdi is still not Pickett, talent-wise.  His only salary ammo is his passport.  I bet Kramdi got a nice 10-15% bump over his last contract.  But he's not getting $200k+ like the superNATs get.

Last year there was Ford making 230k+ and everyone else on the top 15 list was making between 135 - 160, with most around 145k.=, which is what Kramdi made.

The top end American money for DBs this year seems to be at 175k for the moment. I'd imagine all of Kramdi, Holms, and Nichols are going to be wanting around that mark (or even trying to beat it). Can we do it for all of them?

[Tecno]

Last year there was Ford making 230k+ and everyone else on the top 15 list was making between 135 - 160, with most around 145k.=, which is what Kramdi made.

The top end American money for DBs this year seems to be at 175k for the moment. I'd imagine all of Kramdi, Holms, and Nichols are going to be wanting around that mark (or even trying to beat it). Can we do it for all of them?

Ya, but as you know, Kramdi isn't Ford.  Not even in the same ballpark.  15% raise would put him around $165 which seems reasonable compared to Holm/Nichols once you factor in the passport bump -- and the fact he seems to be the brains of the operation now.

I'm pretty sure everyone not named Holm will have to be realistic about what we can pay them.  None are superstars (Nichols has fallen off a bit), and many are aging.  And we almost always find 1 good ELC in TC.  The older guys will have to take discounts (or simply no raises) to stay.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Ya, but as you know, Kramdi isn't Ford.  Not even in the same ballpark.  15% raise would put him around $165 which seems reasonable compared to Holm/Nichols once you factor in the passport bump -- and the fact he seems to be the brains of the operation now.

I'm pretty sure everyone not named Holm will have to be realistic about what we can pay them.  None are superstars (Nichols has fallen off a bit), and many are aging.  And we almost always find 1 good ELC in TC.  The older guys will have to take discounts (or simply no raises) to stay.

Nichols might have to be satisfied with what they're already paying him, Kramdi and Holm probably received $10-20k bumps.

[RebusRankin]

Kramdi is a good keep by the club. We might let one of Holm and Nichols go due to cost.