CFL

Bomber Report

Taylor Allen photo Former University of Manitoba quarterback Des Catellier was brought to Edmonton by Elks head coach after their time together on Calgary’s staff.

Former Bisons quarterback valued by Elks

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

EDMONTON — Des Catellier may have been a young quarterback for the Manitoba Bisons, but Cody Fajardo saw the makings of a future coach.

It was 2019, when Fajardo was with the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Catellier attended training camp with the team as part of the CFL QB Internship Program.

“He was one of the only U Sports guys that really came in and knew the whole playbook,” Fajardo, now the starting pivot for the Edmonton Elks, told the Free Press on Thursday.

“He could go in and rep just about any play on offence.”

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Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive tackle Jake Ceresna said the club is in a valley at the moment with three weeks left in the regular season, but has confidence the Blue and Gold and ‘get back to the peak.’

Bombers still control post-season destiny

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers still control post-season destiny

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Jake Ceresna was confident he was putting pen to paper with a Grey Cup contender.

When the star defensive tackle signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in free agency back in February, did he foresee any scenario in which they’d be under .500 at this point in the season and in danger of missing the playoffs?

“That’s a good question,” Ceresna admitted after Wednesday’s closed practice.

“Obviously, at the beginning of the year, you think you’re gonna go 18-0. But the reality of life is there’s roller-coasters. There’s going to be hard times, there’s going to be good times. We’re in the valley right now and we just have to come out of it and get back to the peak.”

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Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros said Thursday he’s feeling comfortable in his decision to play against Calgary on Saturday. The starting pivot went down with a head injury after making a tackle in the Banjo Bowl.

Zach is back

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Zach is back

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

You can knock Zach Collaros down, but he’s going to get back up.

The starting quarterback for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers was a full participant at Thursday’s practice — a first since suffering a head injury in the Banjo Bowl.

The 38-year-old will be under centre when the Blue and Gold (7-8) host the Calgary Stampeders (8-8) on Saturday.

Considering his well-documented history of injuries above the shoulders, there’s been a lot of speculation on the outside about whether Collaros would — or should — return this season.

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Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Bomber Report

Peter McCabe / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Montreal Alouettes wide receiver Tyson Philpot hopes to help the playoff chances of his brother’s Calgary Stampeders in Saturday’s game.

Alouettes not short on reasons why they want to beat Bombers

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Alouettes not short on reasons why they want to beat Bombers

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

MONTREAL — Clinching top spot in the East isn’t the only reason why Tyson Philpot is itching to beat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“Obviously, my brother (Jalen) plays for the (Calgary) Stampeders, so I’d love to help push the Stampeders above them and help him get in the playoffs,” said the star receiver for the Montreal Alouettes after Friday’s walkthrough.

While the Als are sitting comfortably at 11-3, the Bombers (7-7) are trying to fend off Calgary (7-8) while also keeping pace with B.C. and Saskatchewan, who both entered the week at 8-6.

But there’s another reason that applies to everyone on the Als: they want revenge for the embarrassing 44-28 loss they suffered in Winnipeg in Week 13.

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Friday, Oct. 2, 2026

Bomber Report

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson (left) called the loss to the Toronto Argonauts ‘a sucky situation’ but is confident the team can lock in mentally and ride into the post-season on a hot streak.

Bombers look to lock in to post-season chase after dropping game to Argos

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers look to lock in to post-season chase after dropping game to Argos

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Monday, Sep. 28, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers let a major opportunity slip through their fingers, and they know it.

“F—- yeah. That game was ours,” said defensive end Willie Jefferson on Friday’s 30-28 loss at home to the Toronto Argonauts.

It was — and then they gave it away in the final five minutes.

The Bombers came out firing, jumping out to a 21-7 lead. They had a chance to close out the contest while leading 28-27 with two minutes remaining, but couldn’t do it. Quarterback Dru Brown was sacked by linebacker Adarius Pickett, forcing the Bombers to punt, and the Argos took full advantage.

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Monday, Sep. 28, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Toronto Argonauts’ Janarion Grant (3) and Alexander Teubner (33) celebrate Grant’s touchdown after returning Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ failed field goal attempt during the first half CFL in Winnipeg on Friday.

Special teams woes hurt Bombers in loss to Argos

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Special teams woes hurt Bombers in loss to Argos

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Sunday, Sep. 27, 2026

THEY’VE been the most consistent of the three phases in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers arsenal this season.

A port in the proverbial storm, throughout this topsy-turvy campaign of ups-and-downs, the special-teams units have been supplying strength to a group that is still searching for consistency with only four games left in the regular season.

That’s what made this momentary lapse so costly in a 30-28 loss to the Toronto Argonauts on Friday at Princess Auto Stadium.

“We didn’t keep up our end of the bargain. And that hurts our football team, hurts our chances of winning games,” said Blue Bombers special teams ace Tanner Cadwallader. “And if we want to win close games. we’ve got to be a whole lot better than that. And we will. We’re going to come in (on Saturday for the film session) and go through it with a fine-tooth comb and just work a little bit harder.”

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Sunday, Sep. 27, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have re-signed Thiadric Hansen who spent his first four seasons with the club. The German-born player was drafted by the team back in the 2019 Global Draft.

Hard-hitting Hansen working his way back into Bombers lineup

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Hard-hitting Hansen working his way back into Bombers lineup

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Monday, Sep. 21, 2026

Thiadric Hansen is a European who lives in India and plays professional football in Canada.

Forget Pitbull, if anyone deserves the moniker “Mr. Worldwide” it’s the German-born defensive lineman for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

“I love it,” Hansen told reporters after Monday’s practice at Fort Garry Lions Field. He resides in Bangalore, the capital and largest city of the southern Indian state of Karnataka, because his girlfriend works there.

“I love travelling. The year before, I lived in Thailand for the off-season so I’m just making the most out of the opportunities that I can.”

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Monday, Sep. 21, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES It was announced earlier this week that DAZN has hired retired Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler as a CFL and NFL analyst, creator and on-air personality.

DAZN hires former Bombers QB Streveler as CFL, NFL analyst

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

DAZN hires former Bombers QB Streveler as CFL, NFL analyst

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

As soon as Chris Streveler tore his ACL, he basically knew his gridiron career was over.

Last October, when the Winnipeg Blue Bombers hosted the Montreal Alouettes in the regular-season finale, the quarterback went down with a non-contact injury just minutes into the game.

Streveler had torn three of the four major ligaments in that same left knee during the 2024 Banjo Bowl and worked tirelessly to make it back for the 2025 season.

This time, however, a path to a return wasn’t going to be viable.

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Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie tight end Dante Daniels Manitoba-born foster dad, Joel Fillion, educated him on the Blue and Gold-White and Green rivalry.

Bombers rookies embracing rivalry in lead up to Banjo Bowl

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Bombers rookies embracing rivalry in lead up to Banjo Bowl

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026

Dante Daniels has been doing his homework on the Battle of the Prairies.

The rookie tight end for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers recently went back and studied Labour Day Classics and Banjo Bowl games from previous years to better understand what the annual back-to-back series means to people around these parts.

“I want to know why it’s so important to the fans and why it’s so important in Winnipeg and I want to be a part of that,” Daniels told the Free Press after Thursday’s closed practice.

“I don’t want to be a person that comes in here and goes, ‘OK this is just another game.’ I want to be someone who embraces the rivalry.”

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Thursday, Sep. 10, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (20) said he understands his head coach’s decision to not go for a potential two-point walk-off convert in Sunday’s Labour Day Classic. If the Blue and Gold win Saturday’s Banjo Bowl, the season series will be decided by point differential.

Missed opportunity could come back to bite Bombers

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Missed opportunity could come back to bite Bombers

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026

Three yards.

That’s all the Winnipeg Blue Bombers needed to leave Sunday’s Labour Day Classic in Regina with a victory.

But instead of attempting a two-point conversion for the win, head coach Mike O’Shea played it safe. He trotted out kicker Sergio Castillo for an extra point to force overtime after rookie receiver Dorian Singer caught a five-yard touchdown with zero seconds left on the clock.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders (8-4) dusted themselves off and hit pay dirt in extra time to escape with a 32-26 win in front of a record crowd of 34,352 — the most since the new Mosaic Stadium opened in 2017.

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Wednesday, Sep. 9, 2026

Bomber Report

John Woods / The Canadian Press Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros (8) throws during first half action against the Montreal Alouettes in Winnipeg on Friday.

‘Fine wine’: Vintage Collaros shows up in big win over Als after 38th birthday

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

‘Fine wine’: Vintage Collaros shows up in big win over Als after 38th birthday

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026

Zach Collaros was in no mood for I-told-you-so’s.

There were no references – either thinly veiled or direct – to the naysayers, many of whom thought the Blue Bombers were in deep trouble as the league-leading Montreal Alouettes rolled into town on a roll for a matchup on Friday that could have left Winnipeg with a sub-.500 record heading into the Labour Day Classic.

No, that’s not Collaros’ style or part of how he operates.

After outduelling Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander in a convincing 44-28 victory, Collaros stood in front of a group of reporters and displayed almost no emotion, despite delivering what can easily be described as his best showing of the season.

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Sunday, Aug. 30, 2026

Bomber Report

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Brady Oliveira rumbles for a first down as he’s tackled by Montreal Alouettes’ Kabion Ento in the first half of the Bombers 44-28 win on Friday at Princess Auto Stadium.

Bombers play most complete game of season to dump powerhouse Alouettes

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Bombers play most complete game of season to dump powerhouse Alouettes

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had to play four of their best quarters of football to even stand a chance.

There was no denying it, because with the powerhouse Montreal Alouettes in town, everyone knew it was going to take that — and then some — to slay the CFL’s top team.

Recent weeks suggested the Bombers weren’t capable of such a performance, but they dug deep at the perfect time and silenced a never-ending list of doubters to prevail 44-28 on Friday night at Princess Auto Stadium.

Where the heck have these Bombers been all year?

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Friday, Aug. 28, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros has familiarity with the schemes employed by Montreal Alouettes co-ordinator Noel Thorpe.

‘They’ve got confidence, but they do have their flaws’

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

‘They’ve got confidence, but they do have their flaws’

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

The shoe has been on the other foot during the Winnipeg Blue Bombers golden years, so it’s tough to find anyone on the current roster ready to adopt the underdog mentality.

Going into Friday’s game with the league-leading Montreal Alouettes, though, the Bombers recognize they’re running into a buzzsaw.

At 9-1, the Alouettes are the cream of the crop in the CFL and it’s tough to identify any weaknesses in the team that bounced the Bombers from the playoffs last November.

“I love it,” said running back Brady Oliveira. “You want to play against the best every single week. I always talk about going up against the best defensive players every single week. That excites me.

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Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker Tony Jones (33) said Wednesday the club understands the elite play Montreal is rolling into town with on Friday, but the loss to the Als last November is a strong motivator for the Blue and Gold.

Bombers keep the faith despite being heavy underdogs in own backyard against Als

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers keep the faith despite being heavy underdogs in own backyard against Als

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Good luck finding someone who believes in the Winnipeg Blue Bombers this week.

Sure, they’re in OK shape at 5-5, but they’ve had some real stinkers lately.

Their lowlights include getting torched for 52 points by Calgary, surrendering a franchise-worst 377 rushing yards to B.C., and producing a measly 19 yards of net offence in the final two quarters against Edmonton.

With all that, and the fact that they’re hosting a 9-1 Montreal Alouettes side that feels nearly untouchable, it’s hard to envision Bomber fans high-fiving one another as they leave Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night.

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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Bomber Report

ROBERT LEE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator Jordan Younger blamed inconsistency for the club’s defensive woes, but believes the team continues to learn from the mistakes. The defence will be put to the test of the season in Friday’s tilt against the league-leading Montreal Alouettes.

Bombers defence is in for its stiffest test of the season against Als

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Preview

Bombers defence is in for its stiffest test of the season against Als

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Jordan Younger sees the growing pains, yet he still sees the potential through it all.

This isn’t about watching film through rose-coloured glasses either, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive co-ordinator has no trouble acknowledging the issues that have occasionally plagued his unit during a 5-5 start.

There have been missed tackles, blown coverages and the occasional costly penalty.

There have also been goal-line stands that hold the opponent to field goals and some really stingy showings, including a performance that bordered on dominant in building a 16-6 lead over the Edmonton Elks last Friday.

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Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea is not in favour of booing an American college marching band that will perform during Friday’s halftime show on Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night.

Bombers give would-be boo birds their marching orders

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Preview

Bombers give would-be boo birds their marching orders

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are being criticized by some fans online for booking the University of North Dakota’s marching band for Friday’s game against Montreal.

With the current state of Canada-U.S. relations, and Friday being designated as Canadian Armed Forces Appreciation Night, many view the club’s decision to invite a band from a pro-Trump state as a puzzling one.

“I’m a very proud Canadian,” said Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea after Tuesday’s practice.

“But I don’t think politics enter into this entertainment realm when you’re dealing with university kids that are coming up here to put on a show.”

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Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

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