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Bomber Report

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers defensive end Willie Jefferson (left) goes for the tackle against Toronto Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly (right). Jefferson said Wednesday his history of losing to the Argos in the playoffs has added fuel to his prep for the Eastern semifinal on Saturday.

Bombers look to avenge past playoff losses to Argos

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 28, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers should see blue and white confetti in their nightmares.

Despite being favourites on both occasions, the Bombers lost the 2022 and 2024 Grey Cup games to the Toronto Argonauts — not that anyone around these parts needs a reminder.

While they’ll never be able to rewrite history, the Bombers can at least get a taste of revenge Saturday when the rivalry adds another chapter with the two sides battling in the Eastern semifinal at BMO Field.

That’s got to add some fuel to the fire, no?

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Bomber Report

(Ruth Bonneville / Free Press) Winnipeg Blue Bombers backup pivot Dru Brown (centre) took the main reps at Tuesday’s practice. The quarterback went a perfect 11-for-11 for 185 yards and two touchdowns in just over a quarter of action against B.C. last Friday.

Dru Brown leads Bombers in first post-season practice

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Dru Brown leads Bombers in first post-season practice

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026

History continues to repeat itself for Zach Collaros.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback suffered yet another setback over the weekend and there’s a strong possibility he will miss Saturday’s Eastern semifinal against the Toronto Argonauts at BMO Field.

The 38-year-old, who is listed on the injury report with a rib injury, watched Tuesday’s practice in street clothes as backup pivot Dru Brown worked with the starters.

Collaros was driven into the turf by B.C. Lions defensive lineman Nathan Cherry late in the third quarter of last Friday’s regular-season finale in Vancouver.

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Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026

Bomber Report

(Ethan Cairns / The Canadian Press) Nic Demski misses a pass during the first half.

Bombers top B.C. Lions 34-10 to earn playoff spot

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Bombers top B.C. Lions 34-10 to earn playoff spot

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Dru Brown saved the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ season.

They were a trainwreck for the opening 40-plus minutes in Vancouver on Friday night before Brown provided the ultimate spark, accounting for 31 consecutive points in a 34-10 victory over the B.C. Lions to clinch a playoff berth.

The Lions — who had nothing to play for and rested a long list of key starters — somehow led 10-3 late in the third quarter when Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros was forced to leave the game. Lions defensive tackle Nathan Cherry was flagged for roughing the passer after driving Collaros into the turf, and the 38-year-old pivot was ruled out shortly thereafter.

And then Brown’s brilliance began.

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Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026

Bomber Report

KAYLE NEIS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers running back Brady Oliveira (20) has earned the Bombers’ Most Outstanding Player and Most Outstanding Canadian nods for a fourth straight season.

The best of the best in Blue and Gold

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

The best of the best in Blue and Gold

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026

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.

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Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026

Bomber Report

Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive linemen Patrick Neufeld (left) and Stanley Bryant (right) are two of the club’s veteran core that have been part of the golden-era run of two Grey Cups and five championship game appearances between 2019 and 2024.

Bombers look to write one more post-season chapter with veteran core

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Bombers look to write one more post-season chapter with veteran core

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are inching towards the end of an era.

There’s no guarantee their veteran core — names like Zach Collaros, Stanley Bryant, Patrick Neufeld and Willie Jefferson — will be back next year, or even if they’ll want to continue playing.

They’re all in their mid-to-late 30s, or in Bryant’s case, 40, and in the final year of their contracts. If the Bombers can’t save their season, significant changes could be coming, and getting younger would likely be part of the plan.

That adds another layer of importance to Friday’s regular-season finale in Vancouver. The Bombers (8-9) need to beat the B.C. Lions (10-7) to make the playoffs and write at least one more chapter with this group.

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Wednesday, Oct. 21, 2026

Bomber Report

JOHN WOODS / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo, holding during a KidSport football camp, is doing something he loves and understands it comes at a cost.

Playoff run for Bombers would mean longer stretch away for some

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Playoff run for Bombers would mean longer stretch away for some

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026

Making it in professional football is a dream come true.

Imagine starting your workday by running out of a tunnel and onto a field while thousands of people cheer you on.

You don’t experience anything remotely close to that while chained to a desk from 9 to 5.

“Like this is my job? It’s crazy,” said Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicker Sergio Castillo after Tuesday’s practice.

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Tuesday, Oct. 20, 2026

Bomber Report

MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver Nic Demski (centre) said Monday the club’s collapse to Edmonton on Friday was ‘the tale of this year so far,’ but the team is treating the regular-season finale against the B.C. Lions with a playoff game mindset.

Blue and Gold must win regular-season finale to punch post-season ticket

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Blue and Gold must win regular-season finale to punch post-season ticket

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Monday, Oct. 19, 2026

It’s now or never for the 2026 edition of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

For weeks, if not months, they’ve been talking about what they need to do to become a consistently good football team.

We’ve heard endless clichés — things like, “We just gotta look ourselves in the mirror” and “We just have to execute better” — but time and time again, nothing has changed. Now, the clock is about to hit zero, and they find themselves at serious risk of watching the playoffs from the couch.

“I didn’t think, obviously, we’d be in a situation like this,” admitted quarterback Zach Collaros after Monday’s practice at Fort Garry Lions Field. “But we are.”

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Monday, Oct. 19, 2026

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

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Former Bisons quarterback valued by Elks

Taylor Allen 6 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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Thursday, Oct. 15, 2026

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 7 minute read Preview

Bombers still control post-season destiny

Taylor Allen 7 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 6 minute read Preview

Zach is back

Taylor Allen 6 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

Photo by BROOK JONES / FREE PRESS The familiar game-day voice of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Bob McGregor, is celebrating his 300th game behind the mic this weekend.

Longtime voice of the Blue and Gold marks major milestone

David Sanderson 9 minute read Preview

Longtime voice of the Blue and Gold marks major milestone

David Sanderson 9 minute read Friday, Oct. 9, 2026

Bob McGregor made his debut as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ public-address announcer on June 7, 1997, during a pre-season game at Winnipeg Stadium between the hometown Blue Bombers and their western rivals, the Calgary Stampeders.

McGregor will be behind the microphone again this Saturday, detailing the action on the field in addition to leading a boisterous Princess Auto Stadium crowd through what has become his signature call, “And that is another Winnipeg Blue Bombers first down!” The Bombers’ final home date of the 2026 regular season will mark a major milestone for McGregor, and the former newscaster feels it’s only fitting the same two teams as 10,717 days ago — the Bombers and Stampeders — will be the ones butting helmets.

“I knew at the start of the season I was closing in on 300 games as the PA guy, only it wasn’t until I went through the schedule that I realized my 300th would be Winnipeg-Calgary, which struck me as kind of cool,” McGregor says, seated in a St. James breakfast nook, dressed in dark trousers and a blue-and-gold Blue Bombers golf shirt.

“I don’t remember much about that ‘97 game, it all seemed to happen so fast,” he says of what turned out to be a 24-20 Bombers loss in front of 23,438 fans. “But since 300 games doesn’t come along every day, I promise to do my best to remember this one.”

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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

ROBERT LEE / FREE PRESS FILES Winnipeg Blue Bombers rookie Kenneth Womack (left) is pumped his Blue and Gold debut will be in the Banjo Bowl on Saturday.

Banjo Bowl a big deal for new and returning faces

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Preview

Banjo Bowl a big deal for new and returning faces

Ken Wiebe 8 minute read Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

Kenneth Womack never doubted this day would come.

For all of the twists and turns along this journey, Womack believed in himself and the work he’s been putting in on the road to becoming a professional football player.

So, as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers receiver gets set to make his CFL on Saturday afternoon against the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Banjo Bowl, you can be sure he’s going to take a moment to savour the experience while doing his best to make it feel like any other game he’s played previously.

“Once I run out the tunnel, it’s all going to sink in,” Womack said after Friday’s walkthrough.

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Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

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