Bombers Release Chris Kolankowski

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers re-sign veteran defensive lineman Tanner Schmekel

WINNIPEG, MB., January 5, 2026 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the club has agreed to terms on a one-year contract with Canadian defensive tackle Tanner Schmekel

He was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

Schmekel (6-1, 286; University of Regina; born: July 22, 1999, in Regina, SK.) returns in 2026 for his fourth year with the Blue Bombers and after a 2025 campaign that was cut short due to injury and limited to just four games.

Schmekel was having arguably his best start to his young pro career last year before the injury with a pair of tackles and a sack in those four contests, with his season ending in Saskatchewan in the annual Labour Day Classic.

He has now suited up for 26 regular-season games for the club since he was selected in the fourth round, 35thoverall, in the 2023 CFL Draft. Schmekel was a 2022 U Sports First-Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star.

The club has also released National offensive lineman Chris Kolankowski.

[Tecno]

Schmekel is going into year 4?  Wow.  Didn't know he existed until late '24.

I guess we'll give him a 1 year to prove he's worth keeping.  He might get heavier rotation with Fatboi promoted.  I guess the plan is a lot of Lawson + Schmekel.  Still need a legit monster IMP DT, though.

He must have the right MOS attitude to keep getting chances.  That's always a good thing.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I like Schmekel as a mauler. He just crashes and bashes his way through the line of scrimmage and you need a guy like that. Will also say for as wild as he was in his early years, last year before he got hurt he looked a tad more polished. It's always going to be a pretty straight forward game for him but I think he's a good resign for us and if things break right for him, I wouldn't be surprised if he has a pretty good year out there in 2026.

[Pigskin]

He could be a good backup for Lawson, but he is coming off a season ending injury.

26 games in three years, 9 DTs, 2 QS.

[DM83]

The team needs a left guard. They need to replace Stanley and Neuf. They don't appear to have much in the backup positions.

They were duped into playing who? At fullback? Non productive. Lining up as a fullback or a tight end would provide defenses abnormal coverage responsibilities for the defence, and of course better blocking...Zac should be in here demanding this. Or get Ford here to run around and give def coord nightmares.

They need a real burner at WR, who can play.

Then we have a real chance.  That goes without saying, they need DNs who can cover and tackle. There are literally hundreds of college kids coming out

Happy Christmas Eve? For the Ukrainian friends?

[Pigskin]

The team needs a left guard. They need to replace Stanley and Neuf. They don't appear to have much in the backup positions.

They were duped into playing who? At fullback? Non productive. Lining up as a fullback or a tight end would provide defenses abnormal coverage responsibilities for the defence, and of course better blocking...Zac should be in here demanding this. Or get Ford here to run around and give def coord nightmares.

They need a real burner at WR, who can play.

Then we have a real chance.  That goes without saying, they need DNs who can cover and tackle. There are literally hundreds of college kids coming out

Happy Christmas Eve? For the Ukrainian friends?

Ukrainian Christmas is on the same day as ours now.

[blue_gold_84]

Happy Christmas Eve? For the Ukrainian friends?

The true Christmas.

[theaardvark]

I have no issue with slotting Eli in at C.  Depending on what he signed for, that is probably the plan.  He's marinated long enough.

In college, he was considered an NFL draftable C.  He had some life issues, and took time off, but ended up here.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Can anyone remember the name of that big DT from the Rifles that attended TC last year?  Wouldn't mind seeing more of him as he showed a lot of raw grit and explosiveness in pre-season games.

The Bombers don't do the greatest job of bringing along local football talent, they pluck the stars off the tree once they've been developed elsewhere but they seem to let the rest of the crop whither in the field after quickly rejecting them, if they succeed at all it's elsewhere. It seems like Sask. does a much better job of raising a healthy crop of football players and giving them a longer timeframe to develop.  Maybe it comes down to having a better provincial football organization and more ways to bring them along.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I have no issue with slotting Eli in at C.  Depending on what he signed for, that is probably the plan.  He's marinated long enough.

In college, he was considered an NFL draftable C.  He had some life issues, and took time off, but ended up here.

I think Eli is down to 287 lbs. Kola struggled at 305 lbs, happy to see him get the chance but not sure he's equipped to do the job.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

I think Eli is down to 287 lbs. Kola struggled at 305 lbs, happy to see him get the chance but not sure he's equipped to do the job.

I'll take what's behind door number three please.

[kkc60]

I hope Eli gets some competition sent his way (not just Vibert). This team needs to invest some serious $$ in Canadian OL. An interior of Neufeld, Eli and Wallace would he the worst interior 3 OL in the CFL.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I hope Eli gets some competition sent his way (not just Vibert). This team needs to invest some serious $$ in Canadian OL. An interior of Neufeld, Eli and Wallace would he the worst interior 3 OL in the CFL.

I seem to remember in the past old guards and tackles moving to Center to extend their careers, from that I assumed it was the easiest position to play on the O-line, but that was before snapping the ball in shotgun became the norm.

[bunker]

I have no issue with slotting Eli in at C.  Depending on what he signed for, that is probably the plan.  He's marinated long enough.

In college, he was considered an NFL draftable C.  He had some life issues, and took time off, but ended up here.

Taking a guy who couldn't beat out the worst starting centre in the league the last 3 years, and promoting him once that centre has been released is not a recipe for success. I hope that's not the plan.

[RebusRankin]

Sean McEwen has been a very good C, is Canadian and a potential free agent. I do like the go with an American at C idea.