It is an uncomfortable reality but also an inevitability for any athlete in pro sports — over time players come and go, with even fan favourites and franchise legends fading into the sunset. Sometimes that exit happens by choice; yet often the decision is made without their stamp of approval.
And so as much as so many in Bomberland became accustomed to seeing Adam Bighill patrolling the middle of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defence — occasionally rushing the passer and dropping into coverage but more often than not delivering molar-rattling hits on enemy ball carriers — for the first time in seven seasons #4 will not be that fixture and commanding presence when the defence breaks huddle in 2025.
Bighill, now 36, suffered a season-ending knee injury in the Labour Day Classic last September and after having surgery was not re-signed by the club over the winter and remains a free agent. And as we dive into Part 3 of our Positional Preview series with a look at the linebackers, his departure will be a talking point when training camp opens on May 11th.
Now, with all due respect, it’s not like Bighill’s absence will lead to a massive question mark in the Blue Bombers linebacking corps when camp starts, as he missed a total of eight regular season games and the Western Final and Grey Cup last year and with Tony Jones emerging as his replacement during the future hall of famer’s stint on the injured list.
Jones played in 12 games, 11 of them starts, starting at weak-side linebacker and in the middle when Bighill went down and finished third on the team with 60 tackles — 49 on defence and 11 on special teams — and added an interception, forced fumble and fumble return.
Tony Jones
(Note: We’ve included Redha Kramdi in the defensive back positional preview as the notion of a strong side linebacker has disappeared in the Blue Bombers scheme and been replaced with a dime back.)
It’s what happens alongside Jones which could become one of the most-intriguing storylines in camp. Kyrie Wilson returns to try and lock down his spot at the weak side and hold off challenges from Michael Ayers, who was impressive last season in his rookie campaign, and former Toronto Argonaut Jonathan Jones, one of the club’s big additions in free agency over the winter.
Wilson is immensely respected in the Blue Bombers defensive offices but has also missed 32 games in the last three years. Ayers, meanwhile, kept flashing throughout the year, first on special teams and then in his two starts at the position screamed out for more.
The arrival of Jones further complicates the positional battle. He was sensational in 2023 with the Argos with 49 tackles, seven sacks and an interception before being limited to a dozen games last year with a hamstring injury and then pushed out when Toronto landed Canadian Cam Judge in a trade to bring him back over the winter.
As well, the Blue Bombers were busy adding to their Canadian linebacker depth at the CFL Draft, selecting Connor Shay 6th overall, Jaylen Smith 15th overall and Lane Novak 45th overall — moves that instantly upgrade the special teams.
Options are good for any defensive coordinator — so, too, is positional flexibility — and Jordan Younger and linebackers coach James Stanley have plenty of both the linebacker spots of their depth chart.
POSITIONAL PREVIEW ’25
The Linebackers
Michael Ayers (49) celebrates his fumble recovery touchdown against Hamilton last August
The Returnees
Starters: Tony Jones (11 starts), Kyrie Wilson (eight starts), Michael Ayers (two starts)
Returning vets: Shayne Gauthier*, Tanner Cadwallader*, Fabian Weitz (Global)
CFL vets: Jonathan Jones (Toronto); Enock Makonzo* (Hamilton)
2025 CFL Draft picks: Connor Shay* (Rd 1, 6th overall), Jaylen Smith* (Rd 2, 15th overall), Lane Novak* (Rd 5, 45th overall).
Newcomers: Latavious Brini, Dreydon Hall, Jason Person (added during practice roster expansion last season), Marvin Pierre, Kobe Wilson
Departed: Adam Bighill (unsigned), Brian Cole (Hamilton), Bryce Notree (unsigned), Max Charbonneau* (released)
*Indicates Canadian
Keep an eye on:
LB Jonathan Jones, #30
Jones is still just 27 — entering his prime years in football — and offers the Blue Bombers options both in the middle and at weak side. A two-time Grey Cup champion with wins over Winnipeg in 2022 and 2024, he began his college career at Notre Dame, appearing in 28 games between 2017-19, before transferring to the University of Toledo where he had 97 tackles in his senior year.
Did you know?
Dating back to 1962 a Blue Bombers linebacker has been named to the CFL All-Star Team 23 times, led by Tyrone Jones (four times, 1984-87)) with other multiple-year honours going to Bighill (2018, 2021), Barrin Simpson (2006-07), Greg Battle (1990-91), James West (1987, 1989) and Phil Minnick (1966, 1969). The others: Henoc Muamba (2013), Zeke Moreno (2008), Maurice Kelly (1999), Shonte Peoples (1997), K.D. Williams (1996), Elfrid Payton 91993), Aaron Brown (1984), Harry Walters (1979 and Gord Rowland (1962).
Notable Number: 1
Being the CFL’s tackling leader in a season can often mean two things. First, it means a defender is busy getting after it both in the box and sideline to sideline. Secondly, it can also mean a team’s defence is on the field for looooong stretches, sometimes leading to skewed tackle numbers.
With that in mind, consider this: only once since the CFL started tracking defensive tackles has a Blue Bombers player led the league — Barrin Simpson did so in 2006 with 110 tackles.
Winnipeg team finished 9-9 in ’06 and lost in the division semi-final.
