Football

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Tommy Nield fights for yards against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats defence. The receiver had his first career 100-yard game on Thursday night.

Receiver Nield bags first 100-yard game in Bombers’ loss

Ken Wiebe 6 minute read 12:53 PM CDT

Tommy Nield wasn’t in a position to fully embrace the milestone, though that didn’t prevent his teammates from recognizing the significance of the achievement.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had just lost 37-27 to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in their home opener on Thursday, but Nic Demski was quick to hand out some deserving praise to a fellow receiver.

“Yeah, it’s crazy,” said Demski. “For him to not have a 100-yard game before, I’m a little bit surprised by that. But I think he has a couple more in his future here.”

That’s certainly the expectation after seeing how well that Nieldis fitting into the Blue Bombers offence after signing as a free agent in February.

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Bomber Report

John Woods / The Canadian Press files Blue Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros says even the opposing team is excited to play in Winnipeg.

Blue Bombers geared up to play in front of their fans in home opener

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Blue Bombers geared up to play in front of their fans in home opener

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 10, 2026

There’s just something about a home opener in Winnipeg.

Whether you’re a rookie or a grizzled veteran, the first game in front of Blue and Gold diehards is one worth circling on the calendar.

“There was some juice out there today. I had to tell the receivers, ‘Hey, tomorrow is the game,’” said quarterback Zach Collaros after Wednesday’s walk-through.

“It’s a great place to play. I think it’s one thing that almost works against you sometimes as the home team, is the other team’s really juiced up, too, ‘cause it’s hard not to be.

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Wednesday, Jun. 10, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers returner Trey Vaval says he always dreamed of being in the spot he now finds himself.

Bombers explosive returner not carrying any extra pressure for repeat performance

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Preview

Bombers explosive returner not carrying any extra pressure for repeat performance

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 10, 2026

You would suspect that Trey Vaval would love to be able to go head over heels again.

With the Winnipeg Blue Bombers welcoming the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to town Thursday for their CFL home opener, the explosive returner was asked if the visit sparked any memories.

“No, not really. It’s a new year, a new game. Everything is different,” said Vaval, last season’s Rookie of the Year and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player. “Everyone keeps talking about last year, but I don’t give a (expletive) about last year. I’m not worried about stats or accolades or the stuff that happened. I want to go to that Grey Cup and get that (expletive) Cup. That’s the only thing we’ve been worried about. Dwelling on the past? No, there’s no time to do that.”

We have a moment for the moment. On Sept. 27, Hamilton’s Marc Legghio booted the ball high into the sunny sky at Princess Auto Stadium. Vaval fielded it at the 13-yard line and quickly found daylight. His vision and speed, combined with several critical blocks, created a lane to burst down the sideline 98 yards to paydirt 11 seconds into the contest.

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Wednesday, Jun. 10, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Tim White (12) was released by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats this winter after four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.

New Bombers Moxey, White counting down to clash with old club

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

New Bombers Moxey, White counting down to clash with old club

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 10, 2026

You don’t have to remind the Hamilton Tiger-Cats what happened the last time they visited Winnipeg.

It was on Sept. 27 when the Blue Bombers had their best showing of the 2025 campaign and smacked the away side 40-3.

“Man, I just remember they put it on us bad,” said Bombers corner Jonathan Moxey, who spent the past two seasons with Hamilton, after Tuesday’s closed practice.

“Every time you looked up at the scoreboard it was like, ‘This is crazy.’”

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Wednesday, Jun. 10, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bomber defensive linemen Willie Jefferson (centre) and Jake Ceresna kept the pressure up on the Calgary Stampeders, especially late when it mattered most.

Jefferson finds time to shine

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Jefferson finds time to shine

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Monday, Jun. 8, 2026

For the first time in his illustrious career, Willie Jefferson might just be underrated.

It wasn’t that long ago when the Blue Bombers defensive end was viewed as one of the very best players in the three-down loop. Now at 35 and coming off a down year where he had a career-low three sacks, there was a lot of chatter in the off-season about how Jefferson might’ve lost a step or two.

“I heard it. I put it somewhere on that shelf, so when I need a little bit of motivation, I can go get it,” said the six-time CFL all-star after Monday’s practice.

“You can look at the tape from last year. I only had three sacks, but I’m pretty sure I missed a bunch. I was able to get into the backfield, I was able to win on one-on-ones, I was able to beat double teams, I was able to do all this stuff to get to the quarterback and apply pressure — I just wasn’t able to finish like how I wanted to. That’s something I was hard on myself about this off-season.

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Monday, Jun. 8, 2026

Bomber Report

Calgary Stampeders quarterback Quincy Vaughn, left, celebrates a touchdown with teammate Zack Williams in 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES/Jeff McIntosh

Long, hard road for Winnipegger to reach CFL security

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Long, hard road for Winnipegger to reach CFL security

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Friday, Jun. 5, 2026

CALGARY — Life in the CFL should almost feel like a cakewalk for Zack Williams compared to what he went through to get there.

After a brief stint with the Winnipeg Rifles, the Murdoch MacKay Collegiate product earned a scholarship to play for the Manitoba Bisons in 2015.

The only problem was that Williams was fully committed to football and paid little attention to the “student” part of being a student-athlete.

The promising offensive lineman skipped classes and let his grades slip, leaving the program with no choice but to revoke his scholarship.

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Friday, Jun. 5, 2026

Bomber Report

Iowa rookie at the centre of it all for Bombers

Iowa rookie at the centre of it all for Bombers

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Iowa rookie at the centre of it all for Bombers

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Jun. 3, 2026

Tyler Elsbury sat patiently in his dorm room Saturday afternoon and tried his best to distract himself.

After nearly three weeks of training camp and two pre-season games, it was time for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to make their final roster cuts, and those that got the dreaded knock on their doors were thanked for their services and sent home.

Instead of stressing, the centre out of Iowa spent those anxiety-inducing hours on the phone with his brother, mom, and dad.

Fortunately for him, he had good reason to call them all again later in the day with an exciting update: he didn’t get a visit from football’s version of the Grim Reaper.

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Wednesday, Jun. 3, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS New offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell during Winnipeg Blue Bombers practice at Princess Auto Stadium, Tuesday.

Former Bombers OC earns praise from coaching staff for team first attitude

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Former Bombers OC earns praise from coaching staff for team first attitude

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2026

Imagine landing your dream job, only to be demoted a year later and watch someone else step into the role.

Would you remain with that organization and play nice with your replacement? Most probably wouldn’t.

But that’s what Jason Hogan is doing.

In 2025, he was calling the shots on offence for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. This year, the 40-year-old is back to his original position as running backs coach.

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Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive line coach Jake Thomas is enjoying his new role with the organization after spending the past 13 seasons as a hard-nosed lineman with the club.

Blue Bombers boast new crop of coaches

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Blue Bombers boast new crop of coaches

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2026

Zach Collaros is quick to admit that he’s having trouble adjusting to not having Jake Thomas as a teammate.

Whether it’s the need to change his game day ritual of driving to the stadium together or sitting beside someone new during team meetings, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback is still processing the fact Thomas has transitioned to defensive line coach after spending the previous 13 seasons as a hard-nosed defensive lineman.

“Sad. Very sad. I think he’s handling it better than me,” said Collaros as the Blue Bombers returned to the field for the first time since the roster was trimmed significantly to prepare for Week 1 against the Calgary Stampeders.

“I’m happy that he’s still around, but I miss him. I miss him in the locker room, I miss him sitting next to me in the team meeting, I’m going to miss him on my way to the field. But I’m happy that he’s still here.”

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Tuesday, Jun. 2, 2026

Bomber Report

Randolph among Bomber cuts

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Monday, Jun. 1, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers revealed their final roster cuts on Saturday.

Out of the 25 names let go, the most notable was offensive lineman Kendall Randolph, who started all 18 games last season.

The University of Alabama product joined the Bombers in 2024 and went on to appear in 25 games for the club.

Randolph’s status with the Bombers was in jeopardy after they signed Jarell Broxton in the off-season to play right tackle and made him the highest paid American offensive lineman in the league.

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters sent the No. 13 pick and a second-round selection in 2026 to Ottawa to move up to No. 10 to ensure the club was able to draft tight end Dante Daniels (73).

Daniels’ discipline in spite of rough start paying dividends

Taylor Allen 8 minute read Preview

Daniels’ discipline in spite of rough start paying dividends

Taylor Allen 8 minute read Thursday, May. 28, 2026

Dante Daniels is the epitome of life not being fair.

With his dad out of the picture and his mom battling drug addiction, he often skipped class as a freshman in high school to search for empty beer bottles and cans.

He was willing to do whatever it took to ensure his three younger siblings wouldn’t go hungry.

“I’d sell them for five cents a piece to try to get stuff,” Daniels told the Free Press earlier this week.

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Thursday, May. 28, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said defensive back Major Williams (right) has had steady growth in the three-down game during the club’s pre-season.

Bombers’ Williams looks to ride momentum onto roster

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Williams looks to ride momentum onto roster

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Thursday, May. 28, 2026

Major Williams isn’t shying away from the fact that last call is about to arrive.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive back hopeful is thinking more about the chance to leave one more lasting impression, rather than the uncertainty that could follow as the CFL team is forced to get down to final numbers after Friday’s final pre-season contest against the B.C. Lions at Princess Auto Stadium on Friday (7:30 p.m. kickoff).

Williams finds himself right in the heart of the battle for one of the openings at defensive back and a strong showing against the Lions might ultimately help him land a starting job — not just a spot on the roster.

“It’s all about finishing this week and trusting my preparation and all of the hard work that I put in,” said Williams. “I’m definitely going to make this one count. There’s a little pressure I put on myself, but at the end of the day, it’s the next opportunity, so it’s probably going to be my best opportunity.

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Thursday, May. 28, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea (left) said the final roster is beginning to crystallize behind starting pivot Zach Collaros (right) as the club looks to wrap the pre-season in Friday’s game against the B.C. Lions.

Confidence abounds as Bombers training camp wraps up

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Preview

Confidence abounds as Bombers training camp wraps up

Ken Wiebe 5 minute read Wednesday, May. 27, 2026

The physical and mental toll of more than a decade of CFL training camps has yet to dull the enthusiasm of Zach Collaros.

Even with the formal stages of training camp now in the rearview mirror, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback is already pining for a chance to fine tune a few things, although he’s also eager for what is on the horizon with the regular season just around the corner.

“It’s tiring being on your feet all day, but towards the end, it’s like, ‘Man, I do enjoy practice,’” Collaros said earlier this week. “You always want more and more reps of certain things and certain looks.

“A lot of those reps that you would get in training camp, you’ve got to figure out ways to visualize and maybe do on your own time because you can’t always rep them during the week. But it was a great training camp, a lot of fun.”

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Wednesday, May. 27, 2026

Bomber Report

AMBER BRACKEN / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo said he’s always been a big believer in taking the time to pass along knowledge to younger players on the roster.

Kicking it with the pros

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Kicking it with the pros

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Wednesday, May. 27, 2026

Sergio Castillo isn’t ready to pass the proverbial torch just yet, though the Winnipeg Blue Bombers star kicker is more than happy to be paying it forward as a mentor.

With 2026 draft pick Brady Lidster in training camp to get a taste of the pro game and show what he can do, Castillo has been enjoying the opportunity to show the youngster the ropes.

After all, it wasn’t that long ago when the shoe was on the other foot and Castillo was seeking advice from Matt Bryant during Atlanta Falcons training camp in 2014 or asking questions of Justin Medlock when he was with the Blue Bombers in 2015.

“I don’t think of myself as a veteran, maybe because I’m still a kid in my mind,” said Castillo, who at 35 is entering his 10th CFL season. “But I remember being that kid when (Justin) Medlock was here (in 2015), just constantly asking him questions. We all have a platform and there are going to be times when you’re going to be the one asking.

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Wednesday, May. 27, 2026

Bomber Report

RUTH BONNEVILLE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Dorian Singer made three catches for 59 yards and picked up 82 yards on three kickoff returns on Saturday against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the opening pre-season tilt.

Singer a studious student for the Blue and Gold

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Preview

Singer a studious student for the Blue and Gold

Ken Wiebe 7 minute read Tuesday, May. 26, 2026

Dorian Singer is proud of his path.

For the Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver hopeful, those twists and turns included the decision to leave Minnesota for Arizona for his final year of high school football.

A two-way player that was turning heads as a receiver and safety, Singer felt the move would lead to more scholarship opportunities at a Power 5 school and the sacrifice was one he was willing to make — even if it meant his parents had to sign over legal guardianship to the Dampier family at the time.

“My journey is different from everybody else’s, which I love,” said Singer. “I take pride in what I do because I know it hasn’t been easy for me. The easiest way is to give up and I haven’t given up. I keep taking those steps forward to elevate myself.”

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Tuesday, May. 26, 2026

Bomber Report

John Woods / The Canadian Press files Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker Ja’Kobe Clinton (left) impressed in the pre-season game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders last Saturday, recording a pick six in the fourth quarter.

Linebacker Clinton making strong case to be kept on Bombers roster

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Linebacker Clinton making strong case to be kept on Bombers roster

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Tuesday, May. 26, 2026

Ja’Kobe Clinton’s path to the pros hasn’t been anywhere near as glamorous as his brother’s.

The aspiring Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebacker had to scratch and claw just to continue playing after high school. Then there’s his well-known sibling, former Pro Bowl safety Ha Ha Clinton-Dix — a two-time national champion at Alabama who was chosen in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft by the Green Bay Packers.

He went on to play eight NFL seasons and made approximately US$20 million in career earnings.

“That set the bar way tremendously high for me. But like I tell everybody, we got two different roads and I kind of took the harder route,” Clinton told the Free Press after Bombers practice on Tuesday.

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Tuesday, May. 26, 2026

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