Bryant’s passion still burns All-time great O-lineman signs on for one more year with Bombers By: Joshua Frey-Sam Posted: 5:24 PM CST Tuesday, Dec. 3, 2024

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This article was published 03/12/2024 (625 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Stanley Bryant made up his mind about a week after the Grey Cup.

His retirement was going to be on his own terms if he could help it. That means leaving Winnipeg wasn’t an option.

On Monday, the future Hall-of-Fame left tackle inked a one-year extension to remain the anchor of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive line through 2025. His contract was set to expire in February.

“Honestly, just the love for the game,” Bryant told media via Zoom from his home in Goldsboro, N.C., on Tuesday.

“I haven’t lost that passion, the desire to go out there and play each and every season. It’s just something that’s still instilled in me. I’ve been doing this since I was nine, 10 years old, and to be able to continue to play at the age I’m at now — or just play this long — is something I never knew I could do. But I still love it, it still gives me chills and nerves and all those things, so I can’t see myself walking away just yet.”

After decompressing from a third-consecutive loss on championship Sunday, it only took a few conversations with teammates and coaches for Bryant to confirm his intentions to return for a 15th season, and 10th in Winnipeg.

He was sold on this team having what it takes to return to the Grey Cup for a sixth year in a row and finally getting over the hump again.

“I could say that played a factor,” he said of the 41-24 loss to the Toronto Argonauts on Nov. 17.

“I didn’t want to go out that way. Seeing how things looked at the end of the game score-wise, I just felt like it was another blown opportunity and I can’t just see myself leaving football with that ending.”

“He’s the best ever.”–Head coach Mike O’Shea

Bryant turns 39 in May. His age was not a factor in his decision, and his play suggests there’s no reason it should be. Despite playing one of the most physically demanding positions in the game, he continues to be the best blindside protector in the three-down loop.

He added to his status as the most decorated offensive lineman in league history after being named to the All-CFL Team for an eighth time last season. It was the latest accomplishment in a career that includes three Grey Cups, nine West Division All-Star nods and four Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Awards.

“I’m always going to say 100 per cent,” Bryant said of his level of play after 219 career games.

“I’m not going to discredit myself and think that I can’t still play to a high standard. I think I’m still one of the top guys, I think I’m still the best guy in the league, and I think that I’m going to continue to show that.

“Age is just a number. I just have to put in the work and the effort to continue to stay at the level that I’m at now.”

It doesn’t take much to get his teammates and coaches to gush about the guy who is affectionately known in the locker room as ‘Uncle Stan’ either.

“I’ve said it all the time, his ability to play at an elite level consistently is all you can ask for in the best offensive lineman to play in this league,” guard Patrick Neufeld, Bryant’s teammate of eight years, said ahead of the Western Finals last month.

That was followed by head coach Mike O’Shea, who doesn’t mince words anymore when talking about Bryant’s impact on the game.

“He’s the best ever,” O’Shea said.

“Technically, obviously, extremely proficient, sound, excellent and he’s got the will. Some guys might not have the will to do it that well that long, and because football is the best team sport, he doesn’t do it by himself. He’s got to have everybody around him playing well, too, for us to get that many (playoff) opportunities.”

Though the details of Bryant’s deal have not been disclosed, he revealed that his contract includes a signing bonus — something general manager Kyle Walters said the team would be able to give to one player this off-season — and that the figure was “right around the same as last year.”

Bryant is the second pending free agent that the Bombers have locked up for next season. Kicker Sergio Castillo signed a few days after the season ended.

Winnipeg still has 27 players who are on expiring deals and will hit the open market if they are not signed before Feb. 11.

Walters, who must work under the league’s $5.65 million salary cap, shrewdly began with his offensive line, which has four of its five starters on expiring deals.

With Bryant officially back in the mix, the Bombers have yet to sign Neufeld, fellow guard Liam Dobson and right tackle Eric Lofton.

Bryant said his playing future will continue to be year-to-year, though, he did acknowledge the thought next season could be the Bombers’ ‘last dance’ with its core group of leaders.

“Age is just a number. I just have to put in the work and the effort to continue to stay at the level that I’m at now.”–Stanley Bryant

With Winnipeg hosting the 112th Grey Cup and the likes of Bryant, Zach Collaros, Brady Oliveira, Nic Demski and Deatrick Nichols — among others who could be brought back on a one-year deal — all without contracts beyond next year, the timing could be perfect for some players to venture to other cities or head into retirement.

The timing could be perfect for Bryant to ride off into the sunset.

“I’m not going to approach it like that but in the back of my mind, I always felt that this group, me especially as an older guy… I knew it would get to this point,” Bryant said.

“It’s been a good transition. I wish we could turn back time and we won those Grey Cups. It would be more special. But I can get the narrative of the last dance.”

“It would be beautiful,” he said of playing a Grey Cup in Winnipeg. “I know it’s a long way from now, it’s a year from now.

“It would be a match made in heaven. It would be a good way to see us get back to that point against and finally find a way to win.”

joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jfreysam