CFL – Winnipeg Free Press

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.

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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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.

Tackling the pros next step for Winnipeggers

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Tackling the pros next step for Winnipeggers

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

Trae Tomlinson is optimistic that he’ll still have a future in football beyond this week.

The Winnipeg-born defensive back will play the final snaps of his college career on Wednesday as the University of Louisiana at Lafayette face the University of Delaware in the LendingTree Bowl at Hancock Whitney Stadium in Mobile, Ala., and while those downs will spell the end of many student-athletes’ playing days, Tomlinson has reason to believe a new door will open to his next chapter on the field.

When the game concludes, Tomlinson will declare for the National Football League and Canadian Football League drafts, and his focus will shift to raising his stock as much as possible.

“It’s crazy how fast it goes,” said Tomlinson, who started for three seasons at the University of Richmond (Virginia) before transferring to the Bayou State to play for the Ragin’ Cajuns in his senior year.

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Tuesday, Dec. 16, 2025

Ben Massey / University of Louisiana-Lafayette Athletics
Trae Tomlinson (20) said he’d have a soft spot for an opportunity to play in the CFL after his NCAA career with the University of Louisiana at Lafayette Ragin’ Cajuns.

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.

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

Taylor Allen 7 minute read Preview

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

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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

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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

Alouettes’ Rice seeks Grey Cup three-peat

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Preview

Alouettes’ Rice seeks Grey Cup three-peat

Joshua Frey-Sam 6 minute read Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Landon Rice had fully immersed himself in his construction business when the Montreal Alouettes called last month to add a player whose built a reputation for being nastier than a rusty nail.

At the time, the 37-year-old Brandon product was, by his account, “absolutely” retired, renovating homes around Hamilton, Ont., where he, his wife and four children have called home for the last decade.

However, with the Alouettes low on Canadian talent in the trenches, Rice, who spent four years (2019-23) in La belle province, became a sensible target on the free agency wire.

“When the names were floating around of who to bring in, he was on top of the list, and everybody was excited to bring him back. So that tells you all you need to know about the why, and very grateful and thankful to have him,” said Alouettes head coach Jason Maas. “And he’s in shape. Obviously, renovating keeps you in shape.”

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Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025

Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Brandon’s Landon Rice (55) is looking for the perfect send-off to his storied career that includes a Vanier Cup with the University of Manitoba Bisons.

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

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
Running backs coach Andrew Harris is a perfect 4-0 in the Grey Cup. Sunday’s game will be his first as a coach.

Veteran CFL QBs aging well

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

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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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

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

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

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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

Alouettes’ Philpot looks to replicate 2023 Grey Cup impact

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Alouettes’ Philpot looks to replicate 2023 Grey Cup impact

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

The last time Tyson Philpot was in this spot, he left a champion and a hero.

It’s a day that Winnipeg Blue Bombers fans would rather forget, but it’s hard to erase the image of Philpot coralling a touchdown that gave the Montreal Alouettes the lead (and the win soon after) with 11 seconds remaining in the 110th Grey Cup.

The catch, made by a 23-year-old, second-year pro, stymied the Bombers from reaching dynasty status for the second year in a row.

It also elevated the Delta, B.C. product to prominence. He was named the Grey Cup’s Most Valuable Canadian on that night and, two years later, Philpot, now 25, is regarded as one of the brightest homegrown talents in the CFL.

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Chris Young / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Montreal Alouettes receiver Tyson Philpot celebrates his game-winning touchdown in the 110th Grey Cup.

Long week of rehab for Alouettes’ Alexander

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Preview

Long week of rehab for Alouettes’ Alexander

Joshua Frey-Sam 5 minute read Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

No limp. No restrictions. No problem?

Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander was a full-go as the club practised for the first time as a part of their Grey Cup preparations on Wednesday.

Dealing with a season-long hamstring injury that flared up in last week’s Eastern final, all eyes were on the star pivot as he went through drills at Princess Auto Stadium. Alexander, who, albeit, didn’t take off running at any point, looked comfortable while working from the pocket, stepping into short and deep throws as he normally does.

“Better than expected. I’ll tell you that — better than I expected, just because I think I’m finally not sore… from the Hamilton game. So that helps a little bit,” Alexander said. “I felt great. This is playoff football, and I’ll be ready to go.”

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Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2025

Frank Gunn / THE CANADIAN PRESS
Montreal Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander had seven carries in the Eastern final against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Main Street mural honours Winnipeg’s three-time Stanley Cup champions

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Main Street mural honours Winnipeg’s three-time Stanley Cup champions

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

The city’s newest piece of artwork brought Dave Benson to tears.

His grandfather, Robert Benson, and the three-time Stanley Cup-winning Winnipeg Victorias (1896, 1901, and 1902) have received a long overdue acknowledgement with a four-story mural on the south wall of the Palomino Club at 436 Main St.

It was installed over a week ago, but officially introduced by the Manitoba Hockey Hall of Fame & Museum (MHHOF) on Wednesday with a press conference featuring several speakers, including Mayor Scott Gillingham.

“You come down Main Street from the south, and you see it from three or four blocks back. Especially this morning when the sun was shining, it was just gorgeous. I just feel absolute pride,” said an emotional Benson, 72.

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Wednesday, Nov. 5, 2025

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS
The new Winnipeg Victorias mural was unveiled Wednesday at the Palomino Club.

Oliveira not ruling out trade after Bombers season ends short of Grey Cup

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Preview

Oliveira not ruling out trade after Bombers season ends short of Grey Cup

Taylor Allen 5 minute read Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

Let’s cut to the chase.

Does Brady Oliveira want to re-sign with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers?

“I have nothing but good things to say about my time here, and would I love to be back? Absolutely, but I think I owe it to myself to sit down with my agent and OTG Sports (Management) and to talk to my family and kind of see what the best scenario and situation is for me,” Oliveira told reporters in his end of season press conference at Princess Auto Stadium on Tuesday.

“I know what I can bring and I know I’m a calibre player that can help a team win a championship, so I want to put myself in the best situation to win a championship. This is why I play this game. I don’t play it for none of the awards or any of that stuff, I play it to win a Grey Cup. So I’m going to put myself in the best situation.”

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Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025

December 27, 2025

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