Busy day of moves in Bomberland

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This article was published 06/01/2026 (301 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released their starting centre.

The club cut pending free agent Chris Kolankowski on Monday, allowing the 33-year-old to hit the open market early. He was slated to become a free agent on Feb. 10.

Kolankowski started every game over the last three seasons for the Bombers, and appeared in 73 contests — making 69 starts — overall since arriving in 2020. He won the 2021 Grey Cup with the Blue and Gold as a backup.

Kolankowski’s departure adds to the mystery around what the Bombers’ offensive line will look like next season. Tui Eli —the club’s sixth offensive lineman in 2025 — re-signed before the calendar flipped, while starting left guard Gabe Wallace and right tackle Kendall Randolph are already under contract, but the most veteran starters, Stanley Bryant and Patrick Neufeld, remain unsigned.

The Bombers also inked pending free agent Tanner Schmekel on Monday.

The 26-year-old interior defensive lineman will enter his fourth year with the club. Schmekel, a 6-1, 286-pounder has served as a depth and rotational option along the defensive front, dressing for 26 games since being drafted in the fourth round of the 2023 CFL draft out of the University of Regina.

In a season limited by injury, Schmekel logged two defensive tackles and one sack in four contests in 2025.

It was also confirmed Monday that Jarious Jackson will not return as a member of the Bombers’ coaching staff, as it was announced he was hired to serve as the quarterbacks coach of the Calgary Stampeders.

Jackson held the same position with the Bombers last season — a tenure that began with him missing all of training camp with an undisclosed personal matter — but his presence did not bear the fruits he or the club had hoped for, as Zach Collaros and backup Chris Streveler struggled mightily throughout the year while offensive co-ordinator Jason Hogan did them no favours.

Jackson, a respected offensive mind, arrived in Winnipeg after serving as the interim head coach in Edmonton, where he was also a quarterbacks coach from 2014-15 and 2022-24. The 48-year-old has also mentored signal-callers for the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2016-17), B.C. Lions (2013, 2018-19) and Toronto Argonauts (2021).

Johnson retires, becomes Roughriders DL coach

REGINA — Micah Johnson is entering the CFL coaching ranks.

The veteran defensive lineman retired after 13 CFL seasons Monday but will remain with the Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders as their defensive line coach.

Johnson, 37, capped his CFL playing career by helping Saskatchewan win the 2025 Grey Cup. The 6-1, 255-pound American was a league all-star last season for a second straight year after registering 20 tackles (two for loss) and six sacks.

Johnson is in his third stint with Saskatchewan, having also played with the Riders in 2019 and ’21 before rejoining the franchise in 2023.

Johnson began his CFL career with Calgary (2013-18) and also spent time with Hamilton (2021). Johnson also signed with the B.C. Lions as a free agent in 2020, but the league didn’t play that year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Johnson won his first two Grey Cup titles with Calgary (2014, ’18). He appeared in 178 CFL regular-season games, registering 309 tackles, two special-teams tackles, 71 sacks, two interceptions and six forced fumbles.

Johnson was a CFL all-star five times and a division all-star on seven occasions.

Katsantonis signs extension with Ticats

HAMILTON — Canadian safety Stavros Katsantonis signed a three-year contract extension with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Monday.

Katsantonis, 29, was slated to become a free agent next month.

Katsantonis was a CFL all-star last season, registering 69 tackles, three special-teams tackles and six interceptions in 17 regular-season contests.

The 5-9, 193-pound Katsantonis has appeared in 81 career games with Hamilton, which selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 CFL draft out of the University of British Columbia. Katsantonis has registered 200 tackles, 29 special-teams tackles, 12 interceptions, two forced fumbles, three sacks and scored a touchdown with the Ticats.

Lions sign Schleuger to extension

VANCOUVER — American offensive lineman Chris Schleuger signed a two-year contract extension with the B.C. Lions on Monday.

Schleuger was eligible to become a free agent Feb. 10.

The 6-4 305-pound Schleuger started 14 regular-season games at right tackle last season. He helped B.C. lead the CFL in scoring (29.8 offensive points per game), net offence (430.2 yards) and passing (325.4 yards) as quarterback Nathan Rourke was named the league’s outstanding player and top Canadian.

Schleuger originally signed with the Lions ahead of the ’23 campaign and made 10 starts over the next two seasons. He previously appeared in 20 games with the Montreal Alouettes (2019, 2021-22).

Als sign Hollins for 2026 season

MONTREAL — The Montreal Alouettes signed American receiver Alexander Hollins for the 2026 season Monday.

The 6-foot, 165-pound Hollins joined the Alouettes in July 2025 after attending the Edmonton Elks training camp. He appeared in five games, recording eight catches for 163 yards.

— with files from the Canadian Press