Bombers in contact with Bailey’s agent after surprise release

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/07/2024 (464 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

TORONTO – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers could be welcoming back a familiar face and former fan favourite in Rasheed Bailey after the veteran receiver was released by the Toronto Argonauts.

The Free Press reported late Thursday the Argonauts let Bailey know he was cut from the CFL club just hours earlier, after the 30-year-old Philadelphia native returned to practice following a head injury sustained in a loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday.

Toronto confirmed the news Friday morning, with head coach Ryan Dinwiddie calling it a numbers game. The Argos were dealt with some unexpected injuries last week, forcing them to adjust their Canadian ratio to hit the required seven starters between offence and defence.

“We’re going to go with five (Canadians) on offence, and two on defence, so just didn’t have a spot for him,” Dinwiddie said following walkthrough practice on Friday. “It’s unfortunate that it had to happen. Rasheed was a great teammate. He did everything we asked from him and so it was a tough day yesterday.”

The move came as a shock to those outside the Argos locker room. For those on the inside, it was a tough pill to swallow for many of his now former teammates.

Bailey had performed well for the Boatmen after signing a one-year contract over the winter. He started in all six games, registering 24 receptions for 245 yards and two touchdowns.

“It’s devastating, honestly,” Argos quarterback Cameron Dukes said. “He’s a great guy to have in the locker room, great energy. Everybody clinged to him really quickly; we all had his back, and he had every one of our backs. It’s devastating missing him.”

Indeed, it wasn’t that the Argos were unhappy with Bailey. They just preferred some of their other options, while also needing to ensure they’re complicit with the Canadian ratio.

Toronto is particularly high on 22-year-old receiver Makai Polk, and with David Ungerer and Kevin Mital both back from injury, Bailey proved expendable. It didn’t help that Canadian defensive back Jonathan Edouard got injured, added to the six-game list, with the Argos now choosing to start two Canadian receivers to make up for the hole.

“It was tough because we told him he wasn’t going to be up this week and, obviously, playing Winnipeg, his old team, he really wanted to play that game,” Dinwiddie said. “Unfortunately, this business doesn’t love you back sometimes. That was a tough conversation but it’s what we all signed up for.”

He added: “I wouldn’t be surprised if Winnipeg brings him back and whoever gets the man is going to get a good man, a good person, good player. This is the unfortunate decision we had to make.”

On the topic of Bailey’s future, could a reunion in Winnipeg be in the cards?

Sources tell the Free Press the Bombers have been in contact with Bailey’s agent. If a move was to be made, though, it would likely come after the Argos and Bombers meet for their Week 8 matchup at BMO Field Saturday night.

Bailey broke into the CFL with the Bombers, spending four seasons in Winnipeg and winning two Grey Cups. In 54 games with the Bombers, Bailey had 180 catches for 2,072 yards and 20 touchdowns.

While it would be such a CFL moment for Bailey to walk across the hall to the visitor’s locker room and dress for Saturday’s tilt, that’s just not going to happen. It’s still unclear whether or not a deal will get reached, but it’s a safe bet talks will continue over the weekend.

“We’re pretty focused on this opponent,” Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said. “Certain things come to mind the first time you hear about a guy getting released that you’ve had a relationship with, you feel for him personally. Then you realize we have our own work cut out for us, and then also the group of receivers that came in this year for camp are pretty damn good. I don’t know where it all fits yet.”

Bailey appears to be exactly what the 2-5 Bombers attack has been missing this season.

With Kenny Lawler and Dalton Schoen both out with injury, Bailey would be a reliable target that already knows the majority of the offence. His two scores this year are one fewer than the three passing touchdowns Winnipeg has in seven games so far.

There’s chemistry and trust between Bailey and Bombers quarterback Zach Collaros, and Bailey’s physicality on the line of scrimmage would do wonders for Winnipeg’s struggling run game. He was adored by the fan base and his teammates, many of whom resonated with his empowering outlook on life.

The Bombers could use a boost right now. Perhaps the return of Bailey could give them just that.