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News June 2, 2026

Need to Know | Week #1 at Calgary

Pokey Wilson at Blue Bombers practice on Tuesday; photos by Cameron Bartlett

@EdTaitWFC

It’s the same everywhere across the Canadian Football League right now — this palpable buzz of giddy excitement bubbling in all nine markets that comes with the curtain raising for every opening week.

And it’s no different here in Winnipeg with the Blue Bombers following significant changes both to its roster and coaching staff over the winter which months later now has the collective gleefully rubbing their hands together in anticipation.

That was certainly the vibe on Tuesday as the club was back on the field ratcheting up preparations for Friday’s season opener in Calgary against the Stampeders.

Yes, a winter free-agent period that delivered the likes of receivers Tim White and Tommy Nield, offensive tackle Jarell Broxton, defensive lineman Jake Ceresna and cornerback Jonathan Moxey, coupled with the addition of Tommy Condell as the new offensive coordinator, has left everyone in Bomberland eager to erase last year’s 10-8 fourth-place finish.

“We’ve added some great players, a new offensive coordinator — it’s an all-encompassing thing,” said quarterback Zach Collaros after practice on Tuesday. “The energy, the togetherness we’ve had in camp has really been something that has shone through.

“The coaches have really challenged us and given us a lot of things to look at and then take out there and apply on the field.”

Tuesday felt like a bit of a catch-up day with the team being off the field since last Friday’s final preseason game.

Here are the main talking points in this week’s NEED TO KNOW…

HEALTH REPORT: Some big news on that front on Tuesday with slotback Nic Demski, cornerback/kick returner Trey Vaval both back at work, along with DL Jake Ceresna and CB Jonathan Moxey.

Here is today’s injury report:

Of note, Tui Elli was in gear, but it was mostly Tyler Elsbury working at centre on an O-line that featured Stanley Bryant and Broxton at the tackles with Gabe Wallace and Pat Neufeld at guard.

COACH SPEAK: Tuesday was the first time media had a chance to speak to Condell, defensive coordinator Jordan Younger and running backs coach Jason Hogan since the opening of camp.

Some highlights from their conversations:

-Condell raved about Hogan, who he replaced as offensive coordinator, and how he’s handled things. In fact, that sentiment was universal on Tuesday.

“You have to understand, we talk about being teammates here, fitting in, and that kind of stuff, and he’s exhibiting that,” said Condell. “I want to make sure that my sons learn that. He’s going to be able to do anything it takes to be a great teammate and also be able to help this team win and help me individually being here. So, I want my sons to learn from him.

“… I honestly think you guys need to run a story on him, not me, because of that. I mean, people need to know that. It’s been impressive. To be able to take a different role on the team, but to have the same enthusiasm and to say the opportunity for myself to come on in and for him to be able to show me the way, pretty impressive.”

Added head coach Mike O’Shea: “He’s a very, very talented, extremely hard working, well-liked football coach on our team. I wasn’t sure what he was going to say when I asked him (to stay on as running backs coach) but him agreeing to say yes was really good for us.

“People would talk about this (how Hogan has handled things) as remarkably different. So, I think that tells you what kind of a guy Hogie is. He’s a different guy. He’s his own man and a good one.”

Hogan also spoke publicly for the first time since the coaching shuffle in the offseason and was nothing but magnanimous in all of his answers.

“In life I just go where the opportunities are, where I can be of service and help the football team win some games and learn,” he said. “It’s a great opportunity to learn from Tommy. I spent some time with him in Toronto as a guest coach, and nothing but respect for him. So it was an awesome opportunity to come back here. Love the running back room, obviously. We all know about that relationship (with Brady Oliveira) and just grow on that and keep improving as a person and as a coach.

“… It’s part of the business. We all have a shelf life. When you sign up you know what to expect, and the reality is we weren’t good enough. So here I am.”

-The Blue Bombers officially added Bralon Addison to their coaching staff on Monday. He had been with the club since the start of rookie camp as part of the CFL’s Diversity Internship Program and made such a strong impression the organization brought him on board as an offensive assistant. It’s been a quick turnaround for the former player, who just retired this spring.

“I just wanted to learn as much as possible and tried to work as hard as I could,” said Addison. “It’s a little bit different now when you don’t have the cleats on and I just wanted to show that dedication and passion and love for football without the cleats. Osh said I did a great job and I was honoured to be honoured to stay and join them.

“I like to think I was really luck to hang up the cleats and stumble upon an internship that was told to me by my old GM (in Ottawa) Sean Burke and then being lucky to be here and be able to work with such great guys has definitely been a help. After I retired a couple of months ago it was a while where I didn’t know what was next. Once I got that opportunity to join the internship I was just trying to learn as much as possible and it’s like being a rookie again.”

ICYMI: We had CJOB’s Derek Taylor and the legendary Bob Irving on our Huddle show today as part of a CFL season preview. To check out that show and our other video content, including our Handled Internally podcast, make sure to like and subscribe and visit the Blue Bombers YouTube page.