Bryant accepts less to chase more Cups with Bombers

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This article was published 17/01/2024 (643 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Stanley Bryant wasn’t sure if he wanted to keep playing.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were fresh off a second consecutive Grey Cup defeat and the idea of retirement was floating around in the 37-year-old left tackle’s head.

“I definitely had to sit back and think about it. That loss was tough. I was really hurt after that loss,” said Bryant in a Zoom call with the media Wednesday.

“A lot of emotions and things like that went through my mind when thinking about the future and whatever. But after I came to my senses, I realized it’s just a game.”

He also came to the realization he wasn’t done playing. The future CFL hall-of-famer signed a one-year contract extension with the Bombers on Tuesday. He was scheduled to become a free agent next month.

“For me, it’s basically just knowing that I can still play the game. As I was thinking about it and contemplating it, someone said, ‘Football is the only sport that you can’t continue to play once you’re done,’” said Bryant.

“Basketball, you can go out there to the YMCA and shoot around and things like that. Hockey, which I don’t play, I’m pretty sure you can go out there and get to a beer league and move around and things like that. But football, you can’t just go out there and play once you’re done. Once I heard that, it made sense to me and made me think longer and harder. You still feel good, you still feel like you can play, so, why not continue to play?”

Bryant is one of — if not the — best free-agent signings in club history. The Goldsboro, N.C., product spent the first five years of his three-down career with the Calgary Stampeders before inking a deal with the Bombers in 2015. He is a record four-time winner of the CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Award (2017, 2018, 2021, 2022) and a seven-time league all-star.

“At this point in my career, I’ve done all that I can do, but it’s mainly about helping a group of guys that I can go out there and compete with and win Grey Cups. We’ve gone to four straight, and my plan is that we go next year and also do the same thing and win this time,” said Bryant.

Bryant and guard Patrick Neufeld are the only starting offensive lineman from last season who are under contract for 2024. Right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick, centre Chris Kolankowski, and guard Geoff Gray remain unsigned.

“I know at some point I may have to sacrifice things at my end to have the team we need to be capable to get to a Grey Cup and win.”–Stanley Bryant

“Everyone’s situation is different at this point in their career. A lot of guys think things are a lot better if they go other places, but it’s hard to say,” said Bryant.

“I think that, for this O-line, we have a chance to bring everyone back and hopefully the team sees the same way and we can make that happen.”

Bryant took a slight pay cut as the Bombers are also trying to re-sign key pieces like receiver Dalton Schoen and running back Brady Oliveira. The team is also having conversations with dual-threat quarterback Chris Streveler about a possible reunion.

“I know each and every year guys are getting better and they want to get their money as well. So, I know at some point I may have to sacrifice things at my end to have the team we need to be capable to get to a Grey Cup and win,” said Bryant.

“I have no issue with that.”

 

Lawler agrees to restructured deal

Star receiver Kenny Lawler is taking a pay cut.

The Bombers confirmed that Lawler has agreed to a restructured contract for 2024 that will now see the 29-year-old earn $285,000 with a $150,000 signing bonus. Lawler signed a two-year contract last February that originally had earning $310,000 this season.

Lawler missed the first six games of the 2023 campaign owing to a suspension. He went on to play 12 games, where he hauled in 50 passes for 901 yards and six touchdowns.

The move frees up some cash as the Bombers still have a long list of pending free agents that they need to tackle.

 

IF Field installing new turf

New turf is currently being installed at IG Field.

The Winnipeg Football Club announced Wednesday that the upgraded playing surface — which is called Field Turf Vertex- Core 1 and will be FIFA Quality Pro certified upon completion — will be ready in May.

It’s a significant upgrade to the facility as the high quality turf system is designed to reduce heat build-up in the summer months.

taylor.allen@freepress.mb.ca

X: @TaylorAllen31