Iowa rookie at the centre of it all for Bombers

Tyler Elsbury sat patiently in his dorm room Saturday afternoon and tried his best to distract himself.

After nearly three weeks of training camp and two pre-season games, it was time for the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to make their final roster cuts, and those that got the dreaded knock on their doors were thanked for their services and sent home.

Instead of stressing, the centre out of Iowa spent those anxiety-inducing hours on the phone with his brother, mom, and dad.

Fortunately for him, he had good reason to call them all again later in the day with an exciting update: he didn’t get a visit from football’s version of the Grim Reaper.

The 24-year-old had made the active roster for the first time as a pro.

“It’s just another opportunity to try and prove yourself, try and make a name for yourself, and do what’s right for this program and uphold that standard of their winning history,” Elsbury told the Free Press after Wednesday’s closed practice.

“It would be a dream come true to play pro football and this is a step in the right direction.”

With nothing guaranteed and his family itching to see what life in the CFL is all about, his dad and grandparents drove up from Strawberry Point, Iowa to catch Elsbury in action in Friday’s pre-season finale at home against the B.C. Lions.

“It was probably about 10 hours for them. It’s not too bad, but with my grandparents they probably stopped eight times on the way up here and eight times on the way down so they could go to the bathroom,” he said with a laugh.

“But they had a blast.”

His dad, Mike, will be packing a bag again this week as he’s flying to Calgary to watch the Bombers open the 2026 campaign against the Stampeders at McMahon Stadium on Friday.

If everything goes according to plan, he’ll be checking off several major Canadian cities this year.

“My dad’s retired so he kind of gets to do whatever he wants and fly up whenever. He bought an RV last year so he’s probably going to trek up in that, too,” he said.

“He’s pretty pumped up to be able to travel around.”

There’s a good chance that Calgary will be a worthwhile trip since early signs indicate his son might be the starting centre. Elsbury worked with the first-team O-line — which featured Stanley Bryant, Gabe Wallace, Patrick Neufeld and Jarell Broxton — on Tuesday, and the injury report listed veteran Canadian Tui Eli, expected to land the job out of training camp, as a limited participant on Wednesday with an ankle issue.

“Paddy and Stan and those guys, they’ve played a lot of football. So just to be around them takes the burden off my shoulders,” said Elsbury, who started six games at Iowa in a loaded O-line room featuring numerous NFLers.

“It’s not like I’m playing with a bunch of guys who are two years in and we’re all trying to figure this out together. We have lots of vets on this line that can really handle situations, so I just got to lean on them.”

Elsbury isn’t a true rookie. He joined the Bombers midway through training camp last season before earning a spot on the practice squad. He left the team in July to deal with a personal matter.

Regardless of his experience, or lack thereof, Neufeld has full confidence in his fresh-faced teammate.

“Extremely smart guy. He’s been around high-level football at Iowa and knows football inside and out,” said Neufeld.

“He’s fit in seamlessly and been a great add for us. Whatever role he’s gonna be in, he’s gonna thrive because he’s just that good of a football player.”

BIG 5 DEBUT

It’s time to see what the Bombers’ prized free agent signings are all about.

Broxton, defensive tackle Jake Ceresna, corner Jonathan Moxey and receivers Tim White and Tommy Nield will all play their first games in blue and gold on Friday.

“I think what stands out is how quickly they fit in,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “We expect that, but to see it happen is pretty cool. As a group, I think they’re good fits.”

O’Shea believes the organization’s investment is already paying off.

“The way they conduct themselves in the building and the way they practice, I’d say they already have (made a difference).”

CFL TOP 50

The CFL on TSN’s annual Top 50 players list was unveiled late Tuesday and seven Bombers were recognized.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders led the way with nine.

Representing Winnipeg were running back Brady Oliveira (seventh), Broxton (13th), QB Zach Collaros (29th), DB Evan Holm (39th), Ceresna (40th), WR Nic Demski (45th) and KR/CB Trey Vaval (46th).

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke was ranked No. 1.

Oliveira topped the list in 2025.

“I’m very grateful that I’m being recognized, but there’s a bigger goal than being in that,” said Broxton.

“It is an honour, but we’re trying to get a Grey Cup.”

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