Joining Bombers ‘no-brainer’ for veteran Vaughters

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This article was published 16/05/2025 (238 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

What about James Vaughters?

While much of the early attention paid to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers has been on the new, younger faces, and the camp battles at other high-profile positions, the 31-year-old has quietly gone about his business like the seasoned veteran he is.

Vaughters, who the Bombers acquired three days after being released by the Stampeders in January, has seamlessly plugged in opposite star pass-rusher Willie Jefferson. And while a quiet camp from a defensive end could be noteworthy for a younger player, there’s confidence that everything will be just fine once the live bullets start flying next month.

“I prefer winning games to any recognition, I guess,” Vaughters said Friday, following the sixth day of camp in miserable conditions.

“I played on a lot of different teams, had a lot of different roles, almost every role you could have played the game, so I feel like after a certain amount of time, you just appreciate having an opportunity, and appreciate not only having the opportunity to play, but having an opportunity to win.”

Vaughters had spent his entire CFL career with the Stampeders, suiting up from 2017-18 and then 2023-24. Those seasons in between were away from three-down football, playing with his hometown Chicago Bears (2019-20) and the Atlanta Falcons (2021) of the National Football League.

Jefferson was reminded of an old running mate when they hit the field for the first time.

“It’s fun. It’s nice. It’s a switch-up. Similar to the Jackson Jeffcoat vibe on the field, but it’s a nice change-up,” Jefferson said.

Vaughters appeared in all 18 contests with the Stamps last season, registering 32 tackles and five sacks, while adding two forced fumbles. He got off to a blazing start in 2023, recording five sacks in six games, before suffering a season-ending arm injury.

“He’s another one of those guys that you just like watching out there,” said head coach Mike O’Shea. “Pursues really hard, I think that helps a guy who’s played as long as he has, and he’s run to the football all the time.

“I have that conversation with him, just appreciating the fact how hard he goes all the time. And he mentions Willie. Well, Willie’s out doing scout team for special teams. So, nobody has any excuse, especially defensive people. You got to run all the time. And so when you got leaders like that, that are putting in that much work and showing everybody how to do it, it’s fun to watch.”

Following Jeffcoat’s retirement, the Bombers underwent a youth movement opposite Jefferson last season. They were depending on a second-year breakout from TyJuan Garbutt, but early injuries led to a slow start and forced the club to lean on players with even less experience.

Names like Celestin Haba, Ali Fayad and Owen Hubert were thrust into the lineup and expected to punch above their weight. The results weren’t sustainable for a club with Grey Cup aspirations.

It was important that the Bombers got that position right this off-season, which led the front office to go shopping for veterans.

“I think over time, when we’ve looked at it — and you’ll always be able to find some other names — but when we’ve looked at it, a lot of good production from those spots comes from veteran players. So, those are the sort of things that we’ve noticed and sort of kept in the back of our minds when we talk about signing guys,” said O’Shea.

Meanwhile, choosing Winnipeg was an easy decision for Vaughters.

“I guess I can compare it to when I made the decision going to college. I went to Stanford. They were top-five in football and top-five in academics at the time, it’s like a no-brainer,” he said.

“Obviously, wages come into play, but if the wage makes sense to you and you have the opportunity, why would you not want to be on a team that’s had such consistency when it comes to winning, and winning in the playoffs.”

Before they go quarterback hunting, Jefferson and Vaughters are searching for that same chemistry that Jefferson had with Jeffcoat for so many years. That comes down to football stuff like understanding the playbook and communicating how they see the field before the snap, which will come with time.

Though they’ve rushed opposite one another for less than a week, their knowledge and respect for each other’s game have allowed them to hit the ground running.

“I know he’s a good power rusher,” said Jefferson. “He can get off the ball. He can win quick. And he knows I can get off the ball, I can win quick. Sometimes I like to go over the top, he likes to come underneath. He likes to go over the top, I like to come underneath.

“We’re building that chemistry right now in practice and stuff like that, especially doing one-on-ones, watching film and stuff. By the time it comes Week 2 (the Bombers’ season-opener against the B.C. Lions)… we should be fine.”

Injury report

Running back Peyton Logan, offensive lineman Eric Lofton and receiver Cody Kase did not practice on Friday.

It marks the second-straight day for Logan, who left Wednesday’s session favouring his left leg and returned in street clothes with a noticeable limp. Rookie Matthew Peterson continued to slot in with the second team offence in his place.

Meanwhile, it was the third day in a row for Lofton. Kendall Randolph played in his place.

The most recent injury belongs to Kase, who appeared to tweak his ankle during a drill Thursday.

Returning to practice after one-day absences were safety Jamal Parker Jr. and rookie linebacker Lane Novak.

An update was not provided for any player.

joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca