Blue Bombers sign veteran American offensive tackle Hardrick to a one-year extension

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed veteran American offensive tackle Jermarcus Hardrickto a one-year contract extension Wednesday.

The six-foot-five, 319-pound Hardrick was slated to become a free agent next month.

Hardrick returns for a seventh season with Winnipeg. He started 17 regular-season games at right tackle last season and was part of a Bombers offence that finished first in touchdowns (58) and second in offensive points (28.2), rushing yards (113.5) and fewest sacks (29).

Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros was named the CFL's outstanding player for a second consecutive season while running back Brady Oliveira recorded his first 1,000-yard rushing campaign.

Bombers coaching staff to remain unchanged for 2023 campaign

All signs point to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers heading into 2023 with the exact same coaching staff from last season.

Bombers GM looks to tie up loose ends as free agency looms

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have lost an intriguing young prospect to the NFL.

Bryant still motivated to prove he’s the best

An argument could be made that Stanley Bryant is the greatest offensive lineman in CFL history.

Blue Bombers lock up perennial all-star OL Bryant for 2023

One of the CFL’s premier protectors will play his trade for another CFL season.

Top 10 Manitoba Sports Moments of 2022

For the third year in a row, the Free Press sports department has whittled down a year’s worth of memorable stories to create the Top 10 Manitoba Sports Moments of the Year list.

CFL schedule prompts usual complaints

When making the CFL schedule, one thing that’s consistent from year to year is that every market is going to have something to complain about.

Hero of 2021 Grey Cup signs extenstion with Bombers

It looked like 2022 was going to be a special season for Kyrie Wilson.

CFL Moves: Blue Bombers re-sign linebacker Wilson, Redblacks ink receiver Behar

Two more veteran players re-signed with their teams as the CFL's free-agency period continued.

Canadian receiver Nate Behar agreed to a two-year deal with the Ottawa Redblacks on Friday, a few hours after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed linebacker Kyrie Wilson to a one-year contract extension.

Behar, 28, has spent the last three seasons in Ottawa and 2022 was his most productive year.

The London, Ont., native hauled in 59 receptions for 727 yards, and a pair of touchdowns, to go with 254 yards after the catch.

Blue Bombers sign defensive back Rose to one-year contract extension

WINNIPEG - The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed cornerback Winston Rose to a one-year contract extension.

He had been scheduled to become a free agent in February.

Rose was third on the Bombers last season with 66 tackles while adding three interceptions, including one for a touchdown.

Rose added eight tackles and an interception in the Bombers' win over B.C. in the Western final and another five tackles in their loss to Toronto in the Grey Cup.

Bombers kick off 2023 season June 9 at home against Ticats

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers will open the 2023 CFL regular season at the friendly confines of IG Field on Friday, June 9 when the Hamilton Tiger-Cats come to town.

CFL releases 2023 season schedule with new twist

The CFL has released its 2023 season schedule on Tuesday, with a bit of a twist.

For the first time since 2008, divisional playoff games are set to be played on Saturdays, with the semifinals taking place on Nov. 4 before the divisional finals go Nov. 11.

In addition, the league has reduced the number of times teams host games in consecutive weeks and halved the instances of teams playing back-to-backs against the same opponent.

The regular-season slate will begin June 8 with the B.C. Lions taking on the Stampeders in Calgary in a Thursday night matchup.

‘I don’t think we’re done yet:’ Bombers coach O’Shea weighs in on new three-year deal

WINNIPEG - Wade Miller knew he was talking to a winner when he first interviewed Mike O’Shea in 2013.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers president and chief executive officer told the story at a press conference Friday, where he and O’Shea talked about the three-year contract extension the head coach had recently signed through the 2025 season.

That first interview took place with Blue Bombers general manager Kyle Walters in the Toronto airport, a city where O’Shea had been the Argonauts’ special teams co-ordinator for four seasons.

“We opened the door for the interview and he said, ‘Should we put on some (football) face masks for this meeting?’” Miller said of O’Shea. “And then it started from there.