Blue Bombers sign quarterback Taylor Elgersma

[Stats Junkie]

I was impressed with how Taylor Elgersma conducted himself in his media availability today. He was very careful not to give the answers that a couple of media members were hoping to capture.

Summary of media availability from Ed Tait
https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/04/17/elgersma-media-session-5-takeaways/

It has been a long time since the Blue Bombers have rostered a Canadian QB and even longer since one accomplished anything in a game. Here is a list of the last time it happened : Canadian QB for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers edition.

[Blue In BC]

Mostly true (for us).  But not always.

In the recent past we've had McCrae types (Cooley(?) too, was that his name?) as backup RB slash gadget REC.

Other teams, of course, roster DI RECs and RBs all the time.  Many put a top-15 REC as DI and use them as DNA (25 snaps).  White was used that way more often than not the last 2 years in HAM.

Could have sworn we had 1-2 games the last 1-2 seasons where we started an IMP as backup hoggie?  (Usually when too many NAT hoggies were IR'd.)  Other than that, yes it's uber-rare.

IIRC McCrae was also the returner at the time. Cooley came on the AR when Oliveria was injured but that meant we needed to remove another import off the roster to fit him in. Can't remember whether we had more than 7 Canadians starting ( probably did ). Regardless, an import comes on and an import comes off.

Generally, aside from a returner as a DI, the Bombers have seldom had an offensive DI on offence.

A DNA doesn't increase the number of imports allowed. It just allows him to rotate with a Canadian for limited snaps.

To qualify to be a Designated Nationalized American, an American player must be with the same CFL team for three consecutive seasons or have spent five total years in the CFL.
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These American players can replace National players for up to 25 snaps in a single game. (It was originally 49 per cent of plays, but the league changed the rule to make 25 the limit). The designated Nationalized Americans usually won't start the game — he will typically be listed as a backup on the depth chart — but can come into the game after the first play on offence or defence.

An import on the roster is generally starting or a role specific DI. Castillo and Vaval will be 2 of ours this year. DI's will rotate with other imports: Griffith, Woodbey, or be an ST specialist mostly : Ayers.

DNA is essentially another useless category.  What import on our roster is going to sub for a Canadian that isn't already a primary starter?

[Pete]

The best thing about the timing is that he'll have an entire season to learn from Collaros, whose style is not that dissimilar to his own. He has a better arm now hopefully he can augment that by learning how to move about to avoid the rush as his footspeed isn't any better than Zac's. He's definitely a pocket passer.
The biggest factor in most qbs is the ability to read defenses hopefully learning from Zac will help

[markf]

Here's a quotation from an article and interview in 3down nation about and with Taylor Elgersma

"Opinions differ as to whether that incompletion was the result of an ill-advised throw or a wise gamble in the pursuit of greatness, but

the reality is that Elgersma faces boo-birds in Winnipeg before ever setting foot on the field at Princess Auto Stadium."


I don't normally care about what sports writers publish, but I find this annoying.

Theirs is no chance, ZERO percent chance that  Elgersma will be booed by the fans when he makes his first appearance at the stadium.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I was impressed with how Taylor Elgersma conducted himself in his media availability today. He was very careful not to give the answers that a couple of media members were hoping to capture.

Great interview, at least he's well spoken.

[bomb squad]

Training camp and pre-season just got a whole lot more interesting.

[Pete]

Here's a quotation from an article and interview in 3down nation about and with Taylor Elgersma

"Opinions differ as to whether that incompletion was the result of an ill-advised throw or a wise gamble in the pursuit of greatness, but

the reality is that Elgersma faces boo-birds in Winnipeg before ever setting foot on the field at Princess Auto Stadium."


I don't normally care about what sports writers publish, but I find this annoying.

Theirs is no chance, ZERO percent chance that  Elgersma will be booed by the fans when he makes his first appearance at the stadium.

yeah 3 down at times write articles to support their personal point of views, I haven't seen one post that is unhappy that Elgersma signed. even from those that were critical of how he went about it with the nfl tour.

[Tecno]

IIRC McCrae was also the returner at the time.

Don't think so?  Wasn't Grant already here at the time?  McCrae may have been backup or co-returner.  We've alternated returners before (even in same game) when we didn't have a clear winner or someone needed a spell.

When I think McCrae, I think "gadget RB/REC" and special-scheme REC like that great EZ catch he made that one time.  If he returned sometimes, that was gravy.

Oh ya, we also wasted a whole season DI'ing The Seal!  Doubt we'll ever see that weirdness again!

[Tecno]

If Elgersma becomes our SY this season (which is a distinct possibility) we're gonna need a shorter name to yell out.  "El-gers-ma" just won't cut it.  Nickname ideas?  Streveler had Strevy.  Zach has, ... Zach.

Has to be 2 syllables or less.  The last name doesn't lend itself to anything, really.  Maybe have to use the first.  Taytay?             

[Pigskin]

In 2023 McRae played 11 games. Punt returns 21/203 yards. Kick returns 12/231 yards. Rushing 23/146. Receiving 15/182. 

[Tecno]

In 2023 McRae played 11 games. Punt returns 21/203 yards. Kick returns 12/231 yards. Rushing 23/146. Receiving 15/182.

Awesome, so all-round swiss army knife guy.  No wonder he made the AR even though "we don't do that".  Now... did he have a co-returner at the time?  I don't know why, but I don't recall him being our full-time full-season returner.  Or is this the "dark season" after Grant left for TOR?  I think we were still finding our way at that time.

And was it then we ditched McCrae in favor of The Seal?  Yikes, talk about a mistake.  McCrae was getting things done.  Seal did almost nothing, and did even catch that one target he had?