Hardrick thanks Bombers, Winnipeg as he officially joins Roughriders

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This article was published 13/02/2024 (573 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers had already done much of the heavy lifting before CFL free agency opened on Tuesday.

That made for an extremely quiet day for the Blue and Gold, with not a single move made by general manager Kyle Walters and his staff. It was a predictable day of inaction for the Bombers, who, in recent weeks and months, had already locked up half of their 35 pending free agents.

Running back Brady Oliveira, receiver Dalton Schoen, offensive linemen Stanley Bryant, Patrick Neufeld and Chris Kolankowski, as well as defensive end Willie Jefferson, among others, have all signed extensions. When you add up the players who were already under contract for 2024 – quarterback Zach Collaros, middle linebacker Adam Bighill, defensive backs Deatrick Nichols and Evan Holm, as well as receiver Nic Demski, to name a few – the Bombers have 18 of 24 starters returning from November’s Grey Cup game.

While the Bombers are pleased with their current roster, that doesn’t mean they didn’t take a few hits once the market officially opened.

The biggest loss will be felt from the departure of right tackle Jermarcus Hardrick. Fresh off a breakout season in which he was named the West Division’s top O-lineman, Hardrick signed a two-year contract with the Saskatchewan Roughriders that pays him $235,000 per year — the highest salary of any American lineman in the CFL.

“Winnipeg will forever be special to me, I raised my family there,” Hardrick wrote on Instagram. “To the Winnipeg community and fans thanks for supporting from Day 1 and still to this day. I will miss that roar and love a lot.”

Hardrick isn’t the only starter from the O-line last year that won’t be back, as left guard Geoff Gray was not offered an extension and still remains unsigned. The Winnipeg native is expected to be replaced by in-house talent, with Liam Dobson and Tui Eli in line for increased roles.

Demerio Houston signed a two-year deal with the Calgary Stampeders that pays him a combined $275,000. Meanwhile, defensive tackle Ricky Walker, who, like Houston, was reported to have reached a deal with the Stamps during last week’s negotiation window, has since backed out of the contract, making him a free agent.

“Just wanted to say I’m excited about this new journey,” Houston said in a video posted by the CFL on X, formally known as Twitter. “I’m ready to get to work. In 2024, got some big things coming.”

When the Bombers inked quarterback Chris Streveler recently to a one-year deal, the writing was on the wall for Dakota Prukop. Prukop, who proved to be an excellent short-yardage QB, has since signed with the B.C. Lions.

Earlier in the day, veteran linebacker Jesse Briggs announced his retirement from football at the age of 33, joining defensive end Jackson Jeffcoat and fullback Mike Miller as players who have decided to hang up the cleats. Miller returns to the Bombers as the club’s special teams co-ordinator.

The loss of Briggs will be felt most on special teams, where, like Miller, he’s been a key contributor the last several years. To make matters worse, the Bombers saw Kerfalla Exume and Thiadric Hansen, two more significant contributors on special teams, sign contracts with the Toronto Argonauts.

There was a feeling the Bombers would sign Sergio Castillo to a contract before the day was over, however, negotiations with the kicker continue.

Other players who were pending free agents and are currently without a contract for this season include receivers Rasheed Bailey and Brendan O’Leary-Orange, running back Greg McCrae, defensive backs Winston Rose and Alden Darby, returner Janarion Grant and linebacker Malik Clements.

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton