The best of the best in Blue and Gold

No one would use the word “outstanding” to describe this year’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Their inconsistent ways have them on the ropes heading into the regular-season finale in Vancouver. The Bombers (8-9) must beat the B.C. Lions (10-7) on Friday to advance to the playoffs.

Nevertheless, it’s an annual tradition across the three-down loop for each team to have nominees for the CFL Most Outstanding Player Awards.

And while the Bombers have not lived up to expectations through 17 games, there are a few players who have shined through the ups and downs of the 2026 campaign.

The respective team nominees were revealed Thursday morning. The voting was conducted by members of the local chapter of the Football Reporters of Canada and the league’s head coaches.

*Indicates unanimous selection

Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian: RB Brady Oliveira*

No surprise here.

For a fourth straight season, Brady Oliveira has earned the nod for the Bombers’ MOP and MOC.

The Winnipegger leads the league in rushing with 1,344 yards and has a 174-yard lead on Edmonton’s Justin Rankin who is in second. Oliveira has rushed for 1,000 yards in five consecutive seasons, which is a new CFL record for a Canadian. If he can keep his streak going in 2027, he will tie Bombers legend Charles Roberts for the franchise record with six.

Oliveira is nine yards shy of the second-highest total of his career. His personal best was 1,534 yards in 2023.

The only thing the 2024 CFL MOP hasn’t accomplished yet is winning a Grey Cup as the lead tailback.

“There’s been a lot of great accolades throughout the course of my career and I need to talk about the guys around me because when it’s all said and done, when I’m able to look back at everything, what I’m actually gonna remember about those awards are the guys that I got to play with,” said Oliveira.

“But that’s definitely something I have to knock off the list, absolutely. That’s something that I chase every single day, something that hungers me and drives me when I come in here when (I’m) sore.”

Most Outstanding Defensive Player: DB Evan Holm

It’s the second year in a row that Evan Holm has been voted the club’s best defensive player.

He leads the Bombers with 15 pass knockdowns which ranks second in the CFL behind Montreal’s Lorenzo Burns (17). Holm, a fifth-year pro, also has 71 defensive tackles, an interception, a tackle for a loss, two fumble recoveries, and one forced fumble.

Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman: RT Jarell Broxton*

The CFL’s highest-paid American offensive lineman was the Bombers’ best blocker by far.

Jarell Broxton signed with the Bombers in the off-season after three straight years of being the Lions’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman and a West Division all-star in 2025.

The Bombers’ O-line regressed this season, but Broxton was a steady presence at right tackle.

Most Outstanding Special Teams Player: Trey Vaval

This one was a toss-up.

Return specialist Trey Vaval and kicker Sergio Castillo have been two of the best players on the team this season.

In the end, Vaval got the edge to earn his second straight Most Outstanding Special Teams Player nominee. Last season as a rookie, Vaval went on to win the league award.

His 2,787 combined kick return yards — punts, kickoffs and missed field goals — ranks first in the CFL. His two return touchdowns this season gives him six as a Bomber, which is tied with Eric Blount for second most in franchise history. Janarion Grant tops the list with eight.

Vaval has dazzled as a returner while also starting five games this year at cornerback.

Most Outstanding Rookie Player: Major Williams*

This category would’ve been real interesting if receiver Dorian Singer had played the whole season.

Unlike Singer, cornerback Major Williams has started all 17 games. He ranks second on the team in defensive tackles with 76 and has seven special teams tackles, one interception, and one tackle for a loss.

The emergence of Williams was massive for the Bombers considering they moved on from several veterans in the secondary in the off-season.

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