The Blue Bombers in action in the 111th Grey Cup -- photos by Cameron Bartlett
Welcome to the Canadian Football League’s annual offseason lull — that period in between free agency in February and training camp and with the news cycle heating up again later this month via the national combine followed by the draft in April.
And it’s here during that unofficial downshift in news where we thought we’d pitstop for a spell and revisit some of the key happenings which have unfolded for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers since last November’s Grey Cup loss, a result which spoiled the club’s fifth straight championship game appearance.
Long the picture of roster and front-office stability, the Blue Bombers have undergone more change this winter that at any point during this run which has seen the club post nine straight double-digit win seasons and win two titles. That has undoubtedly led to the tepid response from media outlets across the league as to what the team did in free agency, takes which seemed to focus more on the losses than key additions like Peyton Logan, James Vaughters, Jonathan Jones, Jerreth Sterns, Shea Patterson, Reggie White Jr. and Dillon Mitchell, among others.
Yet, even with all that change there is a sense within the walls of Bomberland that the club could not just tread water in 2025 but also be improved. As GM Kyle Walters said following the first few days of free agency, “Only time will tell, but I do like our roster.”
To that end, let’s spend this edition of 1st & 10 examining the impact of all the arrivals and departures while offering a bit of a refresher on some of the stuff previously posted on bluebombers.com…
OFFENSIVE STAFF CHANGES
Out: Buck Pierce left the club last December after 11 years in the organization — the last four seasons as offensive coordinator — to become the 28th head coach in the history of the B.C. Lions. Pierce brought Kevin Bourgoin along and named him receivers coach/passing game coordinator after he spent the last eight years with the Blue Bombers.
In: Jason Hogan moves from running backs coach to offensive coordinator; veteran CFL assistant Jarious Jackson joins the staff as QB coach after serving last year as offensive coordinator and then interim head coach with the Edmonton Elks. Offensive line coach Marty Costello remains and on Friday the rest of the offensive staff was completed with the additions of new running backs coach André Bolduc, the long-time Montreal, Saskatchewan and Calgary assistant and offensive assistant/receivers coach Billy Jean, who spent time with the Alouettes.
What it means: Winnipeg’s offensive numbers dropped significantly in 2024 due in part to personnel changes after losing Jermarcus Hardrick and Rasheed Bailey in free agency last winter, the decision to not re-sign guard Geoff Gray and injuries to Dalton Schoen and Kenny Lawler. That said, the dip in production was concerning given the magnitude of it all — from first in offensive points per game (31.7) to eighth (23.2), first in net offensive yards (414.7) to sixth (358.5), first in rushing yards (139.1) to third (111.7), first in passing (292.4) to eighth (260.2).
All this coming in a season in which Zach Collaros still set a career high in passing yardage with 4,336 yet threw for 17 TDs — his lowest totals as a Blue Bomber.
That means Hogan, Jackson & Co. walk into a situation where expectations remain in the stratosphere, but the statistical bar isn’t as high as it once was just a year ago.
ICYMI: Our chat with Jason Hogan not long after his promotion:
1st &10 | “It’s such an honour. I’m ready to seize the moment.”
RECEIVER CHANGES
Out: Kenny Lawler (Hamilton) was one of the big-name losses in free agency, while Ontaria ‘Pokey’ Wilson — the club’s Most Outstanding Rookie last year — parlayed his 1K season into an opportunity with the New York Jets and reliable Canadian vet Drew Wolitarsky was released and signed with the Tiger-Cats. Also exiting were Lucky Whitehead (retired) and Canadian Jeremy Murphy (Ottawa).
In: The Blue Bombers looked to offset the loss of Lawler, Wilson and Wolitarsky by adding three proven CFLers in Mitchell (Edmonton), Sterns (Saskatchewan) and White Jr. (Montreal) while still returning Nic Demski, Dalton Schoen (who missed all but three games due to a knee injury) and Kevens Clercius along with Keric Wheatfall.
A new prospect pool with join 2024 holdovers Kody Case and Myron Mitchell, both of whom saw spot duty last season while spending most of the year on the practice roster.
What it means: Taking Lawler and his big-play capability out of the offence stings and isn’t easily replaceable. Still, he hasn’t played a full season since 2021 and the addition of Mitchell, Sterns and White Jr. helps to fill that void as much with quantity as quality. What also shouldn’t be understated is the importance of the return to health of Schoen, who put up remarkable numbers in ’22-23 — 41 receptions for 2,663 yards and 26 touchdowns in 34 games — before last year’s injury.
ICYMI: You can read more here about Mitchell and White Jr. and also check out this piece from our chat last month with Sterns:
CANADIAN DEPTH IMPACT
Out: All-CFL all-star cornerback Tyrell Ford (Edmonton), West All-Star guard Liam Dobson (Hamilton), RB Johnny Augustine (Hamilton), DE Owen Hubert (Hamilton), WR Jeremy Murphy (Ottawa), DB Noah Hallett (unsigned).
In: DB Josh Hagerty (Edmonton), DE Brock Gowanlock (Montreal), WR Gavin Cobb (Edmonton), LB Enock Makonzo (Hamilton/Edmonton).
What it means: One of the Blue Bombers strengths in the last few years has been the Canadian depth, allowing the club to start eight homegrowns — seven being the minimum requirement — as part of the ratio and thus providing a great deal of roster flexibility. Losing two Canadian starters, let alone all-stars, impacts that flexibility significantly.
All that said, there is still a clear path to starting seven Canadians in CFL Most Outstanding Player/Canadian Brady Oliveira at running back, along with Demski, the team’s leading receiver, Clercius, at least two starters on the offensive line in veterans Pat Neufeld and Chris Kolankowski along with Jake Thomas/Cam Lawson at defensive tackle and Redha Kramdi at the dime spot. Gabe Wallace and Tui Eli are candidates to replace Dobson, although the club may be tempted to start three imports up front. The additions of Hagerty, Gowanlock, Cobb and Makonzo offset the losses of Augustine, Hubert, Murphy and Noah Hallett.
The return to health for Lawson will be massive up front for the Blue Bombers and the upcoming CFL Draft always provides options, especially in a year where the class is dominated by defensive line prospects. To that end, Winnipeg owns its picks in every round — including the seventh overall selection — plus a bonus pick at the end of the second round for finishing with the top total of national snaps in 2024.
ICYMI: Depending on potential trades and salary-cap fines that include draft picks, the Blue Bombers are currently scheduled to pick seventh overall, then 16th, 18th and 27th in the first three rounds.
NEW FACES IN THE SECONDARY… AGAIN
Out: Tyrell Ford (Edmonton), Brandon Alexander, Nick Taylor and Noah Hallett (unsigned free agents), Tyrique McGhee (Saskatchewan).
In: Josh Hagerty (Edmonton).
What it means: Two starters in the secondary have exited in Ford and Alexander and Taylor had a prominent role after being added late last season. The Blue Bombers do get Jamal Parker, Jr. back from injury after he missed all of last season — he ended the 2023 campaign as a starter — and like some of the players who saw time or were brought in last year in Marquise Bridges and Russell Dandy, among others.
The air defence will still be solid with the returns of halfback Deatrick Nichols and Evan Holm, cornerback Terrell Bonds and Kramdi along with versatile defender Michael Griffin II. Consider this, too: the Blue Bombers have developed a knack over the years for finding/drafting/signing quality defensive backs, including all of the above as well as the likes of Dee Alford, Demerio Houston, Marcus Sayles, Winston Rose, Chandler Fenner, Anthony Gaitor, Mercy Maston, Alden Darby, Mike Jones and Patrice Rene, among others. Finding another collection that works well in Jordan Younger’s defence should not be an issue.
ICYMI: You can read about Parker Jr.’s readiness here and there is also this piece on re-signing Holm, a massive part of the secondary:
DEFENSIVE FRONT 6 CHANGES
Out: DE TyJuan Garbutt (Hamilton), DE Celestin Haba (Toronto), DT Miles Fox (Hamilton), DE Owen Hubert (Hamilton), LB Brian Cole II (Hamilton), LB Adam Bighill (free agent).
In: DE James Vaughters (Calgary), LB Jonathan Jones (Toronto), DE Brock Gowanlock (Montreal).
What it means: The Blue Bombers certainly saw an exodus up front. Still, it’s worth noting that aside from Bighill — a future hall of famer — that crew combined for 19 starts last season: Garbutt (12), Haba (two), Cole II (2), Fox (2) and Hubert (1).
Adding a veteran end like Vaughters opposite Jefferson could give the defence the same possible looks at it did when Jackson Jeffcoat roamed that spot and could draw some of the extra attention away from big No. 5.
The newcomer Jones had a monster year in 2023 — including seven sacks — and his skillset gives the club some excellent options at linebacker along with Tony Jones, Kyrie Wilson and Michael Ayers, who had a solid rookie season.
Winnipeg finished with the stingiest defence in Younger’s first year running the show, surrendering 19.9 points per game, but was last in sacks with just 26 and middle of the pack in turnovers (35, fifth overall).
ICYMI: You can read about Jones here and check out this story on Vaughters:
KICK RETURN BOOST
Out: KR Lucky Whitehead (retired).
In: KR/RB Peyton Logan (Calgary).
What it means: The Blue Bombers finished eighth in both punt return and kickoff return average and were one of three teams — along with B.C. and Edmonton — to not have a kick-return TD last season after trying Myron Mitchell, Chris Smith and Kody Case at the position before ultimately settling on Whitehead. And all that was painful to Bomber fans after watching Janarion Grant move on and do his thing with Toronto.
The addition of Logan, then, is massive. In 14 games with Calgary last year, he led the club in both punt and kickoff returns with his 539 punt return yards and 13.5-yards per punt return both ranking third in the league. That alone is valuable to the special teams and as a 26-year-old vet he also offers depth at the running back position behind Oliveira.
ICYMI: Looking back to our conversation with Logan on the first day of training camp:
A BOLSTERED QB DEPTH CHART
Out: Prospect Darren Grainger, who spent some time on the practice roster last year, retired in the offseason.
In: Shea Patterson (Saskatchewan).
What it means: The Blue Bombers have collected a pile of intriguing options behind Zach Collaros for the now and, possibly, for when the future hall of famer steps away from the game. Collaros, Terry Wilson and Jake Dolegala — the three men who dressed for the Grey Cup — return, as does Chris Streveler who has been busting his backside this offseason to return after a devastating knee injury in the Banjo Bowl.
That gives the Blue Bombers depth at the most important on the field, even if no one has yet established themselves as a clear-cut successor to Collaros just yet.
ICYMI: Streveler has 32 rushing TDs in 46 games as a Blue Bomber — averaging 10 per season — and is eager to prove he can still contribute and compete. So, too, is Patterson, who comes over from the Roughriders and is a QB worth taking a long look at by the club. Check out our chat with him from last week:
