Bombers 2026-2027 offseason

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Sounds like Stanley and Neuf are waiting to hear what Zach chooses to do before deciding their own futures.

https://3downnation.com/2026/11/09/stanley-bryant-patrick-neufeld-mulling-retirement-with-winnipeg-blue-bombers/


Including the playoffs, Stanley Bryant and Patrick Neufeld have played nearly 400 games with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

They may have also played their last.

Though neither of the veteran offensive linemen have made a final decision regarding their futures, both indicated they're mulling retirement after the team's recent loss to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Final.

"I've got to talk to my family. It's gonna be more of a thought process this offseason. I'll speak with my family, and we'll make a decision on what's best for me and my family. I can't say right now," said Neufeld.

"The toll this game takes on your body. I'm not getting any younger and things hurt more. With having three young kids, it changes things a lot. I just want to make sure I do what's best for them."

The three-time All-CFL selection, who will turn 38 next month, started all but one game this season. He missed the matchup to attend the birth of twins in June.

"You kind of feel selfish sometimes because of how much you put on your loved ones and the time away from them. It's a respect thing and it's all hands on deck. Having twins, though, it was tougher. It's not like one baby is crying — both of them are crying. A lot of night duties and some severely sleepless nights made things tough," he said.

"It's a contemplation for sure, this year. I've said in years past that right away I was ready to come back, but this year, it's contemplation. I'll take time with my family, I'll take time to let the dust settle a bit, and we'll figure something out."

The Blue Bombers held their locker room clean-out day on Sunday. The offensive line emerged near the end of the media period after an emotional position meeting.

"We cried a bit. Everything's kinda cool now, but you've got to sit back and reflect on it and somehow make a decision at some point," said Bryant. "I've been playing this game for a long time, Patty's [sic] been playing for a long time. It's gonna be hard but we're gonna try to make the right decision for ourselves and just for this team as well."

"I had my mind set on us being in Grey Cup next week, so it's still fresh in my mind right now, so just hanging with you guys now, just to see how the next few days go."

It was a middling season for Winnipeg's offensive line.

The unit helped Brady Oliveira win his third rushing title, while Jarell Broxton was named the league's Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman.

However, the line also allowed the most sacks in the CFL, which probably played a role in Zach Collaros missing time due to three different injuries.

Pro Football Focus credited Bryant with nine sacks allowed, which was the most of any player in the league. The eight-time All-CFL selection and four-time Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman acknowledged that there may have been some decline in his game.

"It was OK, not one of my best seasons, but that's something I've gotta sit back and look at," he said. "If I did want to play (in 2027), I feel like I still could play the game. It's just something to sit back and think about."

The 40-year-old was plagued by an ankle injury for most of the year, though he appreciated the team for helping him work through it.

"It was fine. You take certain medicine that you need to take to get through it to make you feel young again," said Bryant. "(Head athletic therapist) Al (Couture) and his crew did a great job taking care of me, and the coaches, as well, giving me days off and being able to get ready for the game."

[Jesse]

I'm also curious to hear from Kyle Walters/see what approach he takes in the off season.

There were a few comments after last year that the status quo wasn't good enough. He referenced frank conversation with MOS and specifically mentioned that the best players from training camp needed to play and there shouldn't be names written on the depth chart in pen.

But, honestly, we just saw more of the same (hello Singer). I wonder if we see Walters be a little more cutthroat than normal, or if we continue to bring back everyone who wants to.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I'm also curious to hear from Kyle Walters/see what approach he takes in the off season.

There were a few comments after last year that the status quo wasn't good enough. He referenced frank conversation with MOS and specifically mentioned that the best players from training camp needed to play and there shouldn't be names written on the depth chart in pen.

But, honestly, we just saw more of the same (hello Singer). I wonder if we see Walters be a little more cutthroat than normal, or if we continue to bring back everyone who wants to.

Time for some drastic changes to be made, 5 years of sliding backwards is enough, they won't reverse direction if they bring back the same old crew next season.

[Tecno]

What I read in that article is Zach would like to play 2 more years but they couldn't come to an agreement yet which tells me the bombers are dragging their feet on this as if they wanted to sign him they would have.

Well, if you're WPG, even if you want Zach back, once you see him missing game after game you sit and wait out the season in order to force him to take big concessions in $$.  It's the smart move.  "You're a great QB but see you leave half the games and miss the other half so you can't expect big $$."

Even "I don't lowball" KW will understand that this is a great chance to get Zach at a discount.  Even force him into a mostly-incentive contract.

If we want him...

[Pete]

Time for some drastic changes to be made, 5 years of sliding backwards is enough, they won't reverse direction if they bring back the same old crew next season.

in looking who we have signed for next year on defense not sure we will see a lot of changes
maybe replacement for Nichols and Wilson, )our starting dline is signed)
the big change is likely at qb but don't know if there's any one we can sign that will help us, perhaps Harrison frost. The receiving core of Wilson, Demski, Nield, and Singer are not free agents and they would likely want White back. Really the major changes and rightfully so will be on the offensive line
The other change that i feel would be of most impact is finding a proficient Offensive Coordinator.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Well, if you're WPG, even if you want Zach back, once you see him missing game after game you sit and wait out the season in order to force him to take big concessions in $$.  It's the smart move.  "You're a great QB but see you leave half the games and miss the other half so you can't expect big $$."

Even "I don't lowball" KW will understand that this is a great chance to get Zach at a discount.  Even force him into a mostly-incentive contract.

If we want him...

Even if they bring Zach back at a discount it would handcuff them to an inconsistent performer, he'd only remain the backup until O'Shea decided he'd have a better chance of winning games with him as his starter, which would lead to the same merry-go-round of rotating QB's we saw this season. Walters has to put his foot down early and say no more Zach.

[Jesse]

Even if they bring Zach back at a discount it would handcuff them to an inconsistent performer, he'd only remain the backup until O'Shea decided he'd have a better chance of winning games with him as his starter, which would lead to the same merry-go-round of rotating QB's we saw this season. Walters has to put his foot down early and say no more Zach.

There's also no one to replace with with. The only other solution is to hope Dru Brown is more consistent if he's the starter from Day 1 of training camp.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

There's also no one to replace with with. The only other solution is to hope Dru Brown is more consistent if he's the starter from Day 1 of training camp.

The point is they should not stand pat, which is a tendency of O'Shea's, if they remove Zach from the equation they are forced to move forward and find
other options.  It's unlikely to result in immediate success but transition rarely does, it could take 3-5 years under this regime before they are once again a dominant team that can win the West.  In the process they start with what they have and fully evaluate if Condell, Brown, Perkins or Elgersma are pieces that can move them towards a solution or are only temporary place holders.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

We just need to find the next Davis Alexander. Can't be that hard... Right?