Bomber Report – Winnipeg Free Press

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Riders QB Trevor Harris (above) broke into the CFL in 2012 with Bombers QB Zach Collaros.

Veteran CFL QBs aging well

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

It’s hard to believe the Toronto Argonauts once had Ricky Ray, Jarious Jackson, Zach Collaros and Trevor Harris all in their quarterback room in 2012.

If you ask Harris, it’s even harder to believe he and Collaros — who broke into the CFL that season together as rookies — are still in the three-down loop today slinging it.

“I remember our first year in the league, we (were leaving after the season) and Swayze Waters (the Argos kicker at the time) was like ‘Man, we’re never going to see Zach Collaros ever again,’” said Harris.

“Because he was ready to go home. He was like ‘I’m done, I’m ready to get out of here.’ And here he is all this time later. I thought he’d get into coaching a little bit sooner, but he’s really turned himself into a first ballot hall-of-famer. He’s been absolutely incredible.”

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Riders O-lineman says playing in Winnipeg helped make him a man

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

Riders O-lineman says playing in Winnipeg helped make him a man

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Peeking out of Jermarcus Hardrick’s Saskatchewan Roughriders Grey Cup hoodie on Wednesday was a tattoo that you wouldn’t expect to see on someone in green and white.

Displayed on his left forearm is the Grey Cup trophy, featuring the Winnipeg Blue Bombers logo and their unofficial mantra: FIFO — which stands for Fit in or F-off.

Hardrick, a standout right tackle for the Bombers from 2016-23, got inked shortly after Winnipeg captured the top prize in Canadian football in 2019. He wasn’t the only one.

“We literally got (to the tattoo parlour) at eight in the morning and we left by midnight. Every other hour a truck (with players) was pulling up… and next thing I know we looked up and everyone had blood on their arms,” said Hardrick during media day at the RBC Convention Centre.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Bombers’ Kramdi will have more than 20 family members in stands for East semifinal

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Kramdi will have more than 20 family members in stands for East semifinal

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

It’s playoff football in Redha Kramdi’s hometown, and he’ll have 20-plus family members and friends in the crowd to cheer him on.

Surely, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers dime back must feel at least some pressure heading into Saturday’s East Division semifinal in Montreal against the Alouettes.

“It’s a game. I’ve been through so much in life that this is a privilege to be here,” said Kramdi earlier this week. “I would be a fool to be stressed or feel pressure about playing playoff football.”

As the son of Algerian immigrants, Kramdi learned at a young age what real pressure looks like. The family was situated in a rough area of Montreal and his parents worked two, sometimes three jobs to provide a better life for their four kids.

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Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Redha Kramdi (right) grew up in Montreal as one of four children of hard-working immigrant parents.

Bombers’ Vaval named Most Outstanding Rookie, Special Teams Player finalist

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Bombers’ Vaval named Most Outstanding Rookie, Special Teams Player finalist

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

The accolades continue to pour in for Trey Vaval.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers return specialist was named the West Division’s representative for both the Most Outstanding Rookie and Most Outstanding Special Teams Player awards on Thursday.

Toronto Argonauts kicker Lirim Hajrullahu (special teams) and Hamilton Tiger-Cats linebacker Devin Veresuk (rookie) are the finalists coming out of the East Division.

Vaval led the CFL in punt returns (75), punt return yards (957), missed field goal return yards (391), and return touchdowns (two on kickoffs, one via punt, and one missed field goal return). He also made four starts at cornerback this season where he recorded 21 defensive tackles and picked off a pass against Montreal on Aug. 21.

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Thursday, Oct. 30, 2025

JOHN WOODS / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Trey Vaval set a franchise record in September when he returned a 128-yard missed field goal for a touchdown against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

A lot on the line in CFL’s final week

Jeff Hamilton 7 minute read Preview

A lot on the line in CFL’s final week

Jeff Hamilton 7 minute read Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

With only one week left in the CFL regular season, there’s still plenty to figure out before the playoffs begin.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders are the only club in the league that heads into Week 21 knowing its fate. At 12-5, win or lose this week, the Riders will finish with the league’s best record and atop the West Division.

We already know the other five teams joining Saskatchewan in the post-season, but we don’t know where they’ll end up. That includes figuring out which West team will be crossing over to the East Division.

While there are several different ways this weekend could unfold, it’s best to start with the teams that control their own destiny.

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Wednesday, Oct. 22, 2025

Spencer Colby / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Edmonton quarterback Cody Fajardo was key to the Elks turnaround this season.

Demski expected to be ready for playoffs

Taylor Allen 1 minute read Preview

Demski expected to be ready for playoffs

Taylor Allen 1 minute read Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are expecting a much-needed boost for the post-season.

Head coach Mike O’Shea revealed to reporters after Tuesday’s practice that the team anticipates star receiver Nic Demski (hamstring) will be ready to go two weeks from now when they’re on the road for the West or East semifinal.

Demski pulled up lame on a deep pass attempt in Oct. 11’s 25-20 loss in Edmonton and went on to miss last week’s 17-16 win over Saskatchewan.

O’Shea said Demski, who has been a non-participant at practice this week, won’t play in Saturday’s regular season finale against Montreal.

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Tuesday, Oct. 21, 2025

Heywood Yu / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers anticipate injured receiver Nic Demski will be able to play in two weeks time when the team is playing in the division semifinal.

Bombers’ Demski signs two-year contract extension

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Bombers’ Demski signs two-year contract extension

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have retained their star pass catcher.

Nic Demski agreed to a two-year extension with the club on Thursday, hours after it was announced that defensive back Deatrick Nichols had signed a one-year deal.

Both players were scheduled to be free agents in February.

Demski’s 2025 campaign was cut short due to injury but the 32-year-old Winnipegger still managed to catch 67 passes for 1,0001 yards and seven touchdowns in 16 regular-season games en route to being named a West Division all-star for a fifth consecutive season.

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Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

John Woods / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers star receiver Nic Demski is staying in Blue and Gold, inking a two-year contract extension with the club Thursday.

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Bombers’ Nichols inks one-year contract extension

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Nichols inks one-year contract extension

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

One of the CFL’s best defensive backs is staying put with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The club announced Thursday morning that halfback Deatrick Nichols has agreed to a one-year contract extension.

Nichols was scheduled to hit free agency in February.

The University of South Florida product initially joined the Blue and Gold in 2021 and is a two-time CFL All-Star (2021 and 2022). Nichols finished 2025 with 37 defensive tackles and 13 pass knockdowns which was second in the league behind teammate Willie Jefferson who had 16.

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Thursday, Dec. 18, 2025

Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Deatrick Nichols (right) blocks a pass to B.C. Lions’ Ayden Eberhardt. Nichols finished second in the league in pass knockdowns with 13 this past season.

Bombers’ Kramdi happy to stay in Blue and Gold

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Bombers’ Kramdi happy to stay in Blue and Gold

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025

Redha Kramdi felt like an imposter.

Before he could sink his teeth into his first training camp with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2021, the rookie defensive back got a call that his older brother and biggest supporter, Sami, had died in his sleep. After flying back home to Montreal to grieve with family, Kramdi returned to Winnipeg and made his debut in a Week 2 contest against Toronto.

“After everything I went through with me losing a family member, I get a chance to play football which, for most of us, is our safe space,” said Kramdi in a Zoom call with reporters on Wednesday to discuss his new two-year contract extension.

“Then I get pushed in the back and tore my hamstring up so I’m on the six-game (injured list) and ended up missing most of my first season.”

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Wednesday, Dec. 17, 2025

Ruth Bonneville / FREE PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Redha Kramdi inked a two-year contract extension with the club on Tuesday.

Oliveira inks three-year extension with Bombers

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Preview

Oliveira inks three-year extension with Bombers

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

Brady Oliveira is staying home.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced Monday afternoon the star running back has agreed to a three-year contract extension through the 2028 season.

The 28-year-old was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

“I know what I can bring and I know I’m a calibre of player that can help a team win a championship, so I want to put myself in the best situation to win a championship,” said Oliveira in his end of season press conference in November.

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Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

Ruth Bonneville / Free Press FILES
Blue Bombers RB Brady Oliveira.

Big Blue sign pending free agent Lawson

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Preview

Big Blue sign pending free agent Lawson

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are slowly chipping away at their long list of pending free agents.

A day after inking star receiver Ontaria Wilson to a two-year deal, the club announced Wednesday it has also re-signed Canadian defensive tackle Cam Lawson to a two-year extension.

The 27-year-old appeared in 16 games last season, starting six, and recorded 21 defensive tackles, one sack and one forced fumble. In 69 career CFL games — 15 with the Montreal Alouettes and 54 with the Bombers — Lawson has 41 defensive tackles, seven sacks, an interception and a forced fumble. The Queen’s University product was drafted in the second round, 16th overall, by the Als in 2020 before being traded to Winnipeg on the day of the 2022 CFL draft.

With Wilson and Lawson locked up, the Bombers still have 34 pending free agents to sort through. The CFL free agency window opens Feb. 10.

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Wednesday, Dec. 10, 2025

JESSICA LEE / FREE PRESS FILES
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced Wednesday they re-signed Canadian defensive tackle Cam Lawson to a two-year extension.

Bombers receiver arrested after high-speed chase in Arkansas

Adam Treusch 3 minute read Preview

Bombers receiver arrested after high-speed chase in Arkansas

Adam Treusch 3 minute read Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025

A Blue Bombers wide receiver set to become a free agent this winter was arrested after a high-speed chase in Arkansas last week.

NEA Report, a news service in northeast Arkansas, said court documents show Dillon Mitchell, 28, was arrested Nov. 17. Part of an affidavit by state trooper Cpl. Jeffrey Irvin posted on NEA report’s website states that a chase involving a black Ford Mustang started in Lawrence County.

Irvin said he saw the car speed past him on U.S. Route 63 and tried to stop it, but the driver kept going at speeds of more than 160 km/h. The driver passed vehicles on the shoulder, went through a stop light and narrowly missed a truck, the affidavit said.

The driver lost control while trying to take an exit along a different highway, and the car hit a metal sign. He has been charged with eight offences, including a felony charge of fleeing police and driving-related offences, the affidavit states.

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Thursday, Nov. 27, 2025

JOHN WOODS / CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Blue Bombers receiver Dillon Mitchell catches a touchdown pass against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats at Princess Auto Stadium on Sept. 27.

Bombers’ GM well aware of needed changes for club to get back to winning ways

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Bombers’ GM well aware of needed changes for club to get back to winning ways

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

Where do the Winnipeg Blue Bombers go from here?

Their starting quarterback isn’t getting any younger, the offensive line is starting to show cracks, their star running back isn’t guaranteed to return, their best receiver is recovering from another major knee injury, and around a dozen starters on defence could potentially hit free agency.

Returning to Grey Cup glory doesn’t seem so simple.

One of the key people tasked with getting the organization back to contender status is general manager Kyle Walters. He spoke to a room of reporters on Wednesday fresh off signing a three-year contract extension.

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Wednesday, Nov. 19, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters spoke to the media for the first time on Wednesday after signing a three-year contract extension with the club.

Bombers president/CEO Miller receives Commissioner’s Award

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Preview

Bombers president/CEO Miller receives Commissioner’s Award

Taylor Allen 2 minute read Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Winnipeg Blue Bombers president and CEO Wade Miller was named the recipient of the CFL’s Commissioner Award prior to Grey Cup kickoff.

The award is presented annually to an individual or group that has made an outstanding contribution to Canadian football.

Under Miller’s leadership, the Bombers have played in front of crowds exceeding 30,000 a league-leading 33 times since 2018. In 2025, the club finished first in attendance for a fourth straight year and sold out every game for the first time in franchise history.

Sunday’s Grey Cup was also a sellout.

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Monday, Nov. 17, 2025

Bombers president/CEO Miller receives Commissioner’s Award

O’Shea, Walters staying put with Bombers

Joshua Frey-Sam 2 minute read Preview

O’Shea, Walters staying put with Bombers

Joshua Frey-Sam 2 minute read Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025

Mike O’Shea isn’t going anywhere. Neither is Kyle Walters.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers inked their head coach and general manager to new contracts on Friday, ending any debate about whether they would be back in 2026.

Both were on deals that were set to expire. The terms of their new contracts were not disclosed.

O’Shea returns for his 12th season as the Bombers’ bench boss, though it didn’t come without some drama. Earlier this week, the product of North Bay, Ont., flew to Toronto to interview for the Argonauts head coaching vacancy. It was later reported that the Hamilton Tiger-Cats also requested to speak with the 55-year-old.

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Saturday, Nov. 15, 2025

O’Shea, Walters staying put with Bombers

Running backs coach Harris looks to stay perfect in Grey Cup

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Preview

Running backs coach Harris looks to stay perfect in Grey Cup

Taylor Allen 6 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Andrew Harris has never experienced a Grey Cup that didn’t involve Winnipeg.

He beat his hometown Blue Bombers in the 2011 championship as an up-and-coming running back with the B.C. Lions, won back-to-back titles as a member of the Blue and Gold in 2019 and 2021, and reached the top of the three-down league’s mountain again in 2022 when he helped the Toronto Argonauts upset a heavily favoured Winnipeg side.

Harris now has a chance at a fifth career ring this weekend — in a city and on a field that he knows extremely well — this time as a first-year running backs coach with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, who will face the Montreal Alouettes at Princess Auto Stadium.

He’s also never experienced a loss on Grey Cup Sunday.

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

December 27, 2025

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