2026 Main Training Camp - News & Views

[gobombersgo]

I took the kids out today for the last hour or so of practice. The weather has been absolutely miserable both times I've gone, lol.

Thankfully the regular season doesnt start this weekend.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Wallace losing weight and improving his mobilitiy and Eli putting on weight both good signs, I hope both win their spots.

[Tecno]

I've heard little to nothing on one of our biggest FA signings in Ceresna.
Anyone seeing anything?

I think because he's just expected to be MODP.  It's not even a thought he'd be anything less.  It'll be truly exciting to see him + Willie on the same DL.  And if Lawson and whoever else is there can up their games, opponents are going to have a Bad Day.

[ModAdmin]

Tait's Take | Blue Bombers Training Camp Day 7

Ed Tait
@EdTaitWFC

Training camp provides that proverbial foot-wedged-in-the-door opportunity for some, while serving as a necessary evil for others.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are now a week into main training camp — and one week from their first preseason tune-up next Saturday in Saskatoon against the Saskatchewan Roughriders — and while the picture is still very fuzzy, some things are starting to emerge.

"We're getting some answers, but it it's I don't think you want to be that early to judge," said Blue Bombers head coach Mike O'Shea. "You want to let him get the pads on against an opponent that's really going to bring it and hopefully do that a couple times before you rush ro any judgment."

Today's edition of Tait's Take looks at some emerging storylines we've seen through the first week of training camp, in no particular order...

THE QBS... ALWAYS THE QBS

A week of practices — and the three days of rookie camp before that — have confirmed what everyone already knew: Zach Collaros is clearly this team's QB1. It's what happens behind him, especially in the two preseason games, that will be riveting in the days ahead.

First week impressions, for what their worth: Canadian rookie Taylor Elgersma has certainly looked the part: big, well-spoken, elite arm strength. We'll see how all that translates into his first opportunity if it comes this week in Saskatoon — the QB rotation is still days away from being decided or, at least, announced. After that, Terry Wilson, Bryce Perkins and Payton Thorne have all had their 'whoa' moments — good and bad and it says here no one has separated themselves from that grouping yet.

Translation: there's nothing worse than a premature evaluation and we won't go there yet on the QBs until we see them against an opponent trying to separate their heads from their shoulders.

THE DEPTH AT THE LINE OF SCRIMMAGE IS IMPRESSIVE

One of the areas the club addressed significantly in free agency was adding a veteran presence on both the offensive and defensive lines with the signings of Jarell Broxton and Jake Ceresna. They've already been every bit as advertised. Yet, it's the other new faces on the O and D lines who could make the roster cutdown decisions nightmarish for the coaching staff.

De'Shaan Dixon has had an excellent camp and is getting a lot of looks opposite Willie Jefferson at defensive end, but so, too has Kydran Jenkins and Kemari Munier-Bailey. Tackles Michael Fletcher and Arnold Young have also flashed.

What happens along the offensive line will just be as riveting a subplot in the days ahead. Lock in Broxton and Stanley Bryant at the tackles, and Pat Neufeld — who did miss Saturday — along with centre Tui Eli and guard Gabe Wallace have had most of the reps in front of Collaros. Still, having said that, the import OL talent here is deep, including Kendall Randolph and Micah Vanterpool from last year along with Tyler Elsbury, Micah Mazzccua, Bucky Williams and Hunter Poncius. Just to further complicate this picture, Wallace — the big guard — looked very comfortable on Saturday lining up at left tackle.

ADDING TOMMY AND TIM TO THE RECEIVING CORPS = WISE MOVE

Tommy Nield and Tim White are two other free-agent editions who are who we thought they were — Nield as a big, reliable target; White as a consistent big-play threat. Couple their arrivals with how new offensive coordinator Tommy Condell might use them in the attack and the Blue Bombers offence might have the explosive parts it missed for much of last year.

O'Shea when asked about those two on Saturday by Jeff Hamilton of The Canadian Press/Free Press:

On Nield: "He can do a lot of different things. He's proved that he's very intelligent and can know all the spots so he's versatile, he's a plug-and-play guy. You can put him in a spot, and he'll understand all the concepts and the entire offence. Willing blocker. Clutch catch guy. He will be in the right place at the right time for the quarterbacks. He's going to be very trustworthy. And all he's done is win."

On White: "Ultra-competitive, unbelievable athlete. He's done a lot of different things athletically. Serious about his craft — you look at all the things he's accomplished in different sports, and you've got to take your preparation very seriously to do all that stuff.

"I'm looking forward to it. It reminds me a little bit of being able to get Mike Miller when we did — you get a guy who was a prolific tackler and all of a sudden, he's available. So, we get a guy who is a very accomplished receiver and all of a sudden, he's available. It's good for us."

THE TOP TWO 2026 CFL CANADIAN DRAFT PICKS ARE WORKS IN PROGRESS

First-round pick Nuer Gatkuoth arrived just a few days ago, so he's still getting his bearings. You can see his speed coming off the edge and he will give the club some options at the defensive end spot in certain packages. Yet, he is very much still a blank canvas.

Dante Daniels, the 6-6/272-pound tight end, could very well be that 'unicorn' the Blue Bombers were touting when they moved up three spots to get him at the top of the second round. He does have a good set of mitts and is solid in run blocking and his pass protection has shown improvement over 10 days, including rookie camp. He'll likely get some reps in the tight end/fullback packages and, like Gatkuoth, is very much a work in progress.

INCREASED ROLES FOR WOODBEY/GRIFFIN II

Jordan Younger's defence has always been a fascinating watch, given how much the Blue Bombers defensive coordinator moves his personnel around the field like pieces on a chess board. It's early — waaaaay too early — but both Jaiden Woodbey and Michael Griffin II are getting more work in the club's defence. Both are intriguing defensive back/linebacker types big enough to get grimy at the line of scrimmage and quick enough to cover in pass coverage.

Veteran corner Jonathan Moxey also looks comfortable at corner and with him missing the last couple of days due to a knock, the club is taking a long look at Warren Burrell and Ridge Texada at the two cornerback spots, with both of them scrapping for a starting gig.

NEXT: Sunday' training camp practice runs from 8:30-11:35 a.m. and are open to the public.

https://www.bluebombers.com/2026/05/16/taits-take-blue-bombers-training-camp-day-7/

[Blue In BC]

For whatever it's worth, we're starting to get a feel for which players are not being mentioned at various positions.

OTOH, we're hearing about several players that are flashing and several are very versatile. Receivers that can play multiple spots and / or work as returners. DL that can play DT or DE spots.

I think we have some young talent. Now we'll see how they look against the Riders later this week.

EDIT: Kirtz out and Marks in as rookie receiver candidates. Singer and Smith seem to be the best two newbies so far.

[Blue In BC]

Listening to O'Shea talking about Chris-Ike, I wonder if he's moving up the depth chart as the back up RB? He seems to be getting praised for his work at FB but is showing flashes as a RB. Can we find room for him and Peterson or does Daniels spend some time on the reserve getting up to CFL speed?

Each of these 3 have value but can we find room for all 3 on the AR at the same time? Generally I'm thinkimg that Munier-Bailey will take one spot that could have gone to a Canadian choice.

[ModAdmin]

Blue Bombers Transactions - May 17, 2026

WINNIPEG, MB., May 17, 2026 – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers today announce the following transactions.

Added to roster:
American receiver Jihad Marks (6-1, 210, The Citadel)

Released from roster:
American receiver Bryce Kirtz

 

[GOLDMEMBER]

Super nice touch with club providing free coffee, juice, and breakfast on site. Wow, didn't expect that!

Decent turn out despite the cool temps.

Zach looks quite sharp again. Nice bomb to 82 for the in stride TD.

QB #3 Wilson looked on target

QB #13 Elgersma has nice speed for the tuck and run, long strider. Nice arm strength on a rope to the out route.

#99 Lawson seems to be working his way back doing drills on the side. Took a knee later on.

#93,94,98 not working out.

#20 Oliveira continues to look healthy and ready to go!

#37 good read on the ball nice pass break up

#90 Dixon had nice explosion/quickness off the ball 1 on 1s. Nice length. X2 nice plays.

#55 Broxton, #66 Bryant nice blocking in the 1 on 1s

#9 Perkins QB off target a couple times

#72 Fredrickson nice  catch on the wide side.

#25 Chis-Ike nice burst on the swing play.

 #79 Harrison nice catch. Guy makes a nice play each time I go.

#7 Stuart made an outstanding pass break up play.
Defence had nice pressure on the QB a few times.

[Blue In BC]

I don't remember anyone mentioning: Peterson, Clercius or Corcoran so far during TC?  Are the depth players getting more of a chance or are some of these players on the bubble?

Both Cobb and Chris-Ike are getting more press.

[GOLDMEMBER]

I don't remember anyone mentioning: Peterson, Clercius or Corcoran so far during TC?  Are the depth players getting more of a chance or are some of these players on the bubble?

Both Cobb and Chris-Ike are getting more press.

Peterson is getting lots of reps. Looks good.
Other 2 have been invisible in the times I've been there.

[gobombersgo]

[gobombersgo]

[Jesse]

I don't remember anyone mentioning: Peterson, Clercius or Corcoran so far during TC?  Are the depth players getting more of a chance or are some of these players on the bubble?

Both Cobb and Chris-Ike are getting more press.

I haven't noticed Clercius at all. Cobb has been with the starters the whole time, and Corcoran has been added since Pokey has been injured.

Like Goldie said, Peterson and Chris-Ike have had plenty of reps.

[Blue In BC]

Peterson is getting lots of reps. Looks good.
Other 2 have been invisible in the times I've been there.

I liked Peterson last year. It's just a question of space on the roster for several players and how they construct the roster. Adding Daniels is one less spot and Munier-Bailey as well. Something has to give but it's not clear who yet.

[Blue In BC]

I haven't noticed Clercius at all. Cobb has been with the starters the whole time, and Corcoran has been added since Pokey has been injured.

Like Goldie said, Peterson and Chris-Ike have had plenty of reps.

Cobb has moved up the depth chart and is more versatile which gives him a big edge. It may come down to whether we're starting 2 or 3 Canadian receivers. We have options but which works out to be the best is a TBD.