The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have made one last cannon-ball leap into the free agent pool on the eve of training camp with a dramatic signing that is sure to send shockwaves across the Canadian Football League.
The Bombers announced Saturday the addition of all-star linebacker Adam Bighill, instantly upgrading a position that has seen a revolving door of personnel over the last couple of seasons.
A four-time CFL All-Star during his six years with the B.C. Lions – 2012, 2013, 2015 and 2016 – and the league’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2015, the 29-year-old Bighill signed a one-year contract with the Bombers after spending last season with the New Orleans Saints.
He was released by the Saints last Monday after their rookie camp and the Bombers immediately began pursuing the Central Washington product in the hopes of addressing one of the few uncertainties on a championship-calibre roster.
“The opportunity to add such a dynamic defensive player to our lineup was one that we simply could not pass up,” said Bombers General Manager Kyle Walters in a press release. “Not only is he one of the most dominant linebackers in the CFL, but by all accounts, his work ethic and leadership are two of his strongest attributes, making him a perfect fit for our locker room. We’re very excited to welcome Adam to the organization.”
An all-over-the-field tackling machine, Bighill had 222 tackles in his last two seasons with the Lions, averaging 96.4 tackles over the last five years. He also has 33 sacks in 99 CFL games and eight career interceptions and eight forced fumbles.
Bighill immediately upgrades the Bombers linebacking corps that now features Ian Wild, Jovan Santos-Knox, Chandler Fenner, Maurice Leggett, second-year man Kyrie Wilson and prospects like Jevaris Jones, Quentin Gause and Chinedu Oparaku. Also on board are the Canadian contingent of Jesse Briggs, Thomas Miles, Shayne Gauthier and Frank Renaud.
Bighill’s signing now gives the defence so many options and the opportunity for a variety of looks. It also means the defence has two dominant pieces patrolling the middle of the defence with Bighill joined by all-star safety Taylor Loffler.
Interestingly, Bighill also joins a collection of ex-Leos who have migrated east to Winnipeg in Fenner, defensive backs Anthony Gaitor and Steven Clarke, defensive end Craig Roh, quarterback Alex Ross and, of course, running back Andrew Harris.
Harris, a teammate in B.C. before he joined the Bombers in 2016, spoke to Bighill over the last week to help with the club’s sales pitch and convince him to switch his black and orange B.C. colours for blue and gold.
Bighill headed south to New Orleans after the 2016 season to pursue his NFL dream and led the team in special teams tackles during the preseason. He used his Twitter account to thank the Saints, and hint that his ‘journey shall continue elsewhere.’
I want to thank the @Saints organization for the opportunity to play for such an amazing fan base! Was a pleasure to wear the Black and Gold! Thanks to all the WHODATS for all the love and encouragement. My journey shall continue elsewhere. #AlwaysSavage
— Adam Bighill (@Bighill44) May 14, 2018
That journey’s next chapter is here in Winnipeg, where the Bombers started Sam Hurl and Kyle Knox in the middle last year and Khalil Bass in 2016. Once known as a ‘linebacker factory’ during the late 1980s/early 1990s, the club hasn’t had only one CFL All-Star at linebacker since Henoc Muamba – whom the franchise hotly pursued this winter – back in 2013.
