Blue and Gold serving Moxey

Jonathan Moxey has a theory on what has made the Winnipeg Blue Bombers so successful dating back to 2019.

“To be 100 per cent transparent with you, I do not think Winnipeg had the best rosters when they were winning these games and going to the Grey Cup. I just think they had the culture and the coaching continuity,” said the 30-year-old defensive back from West Palm Beach, Fla.

Moxey doesn’t say that as a knock. It’s actually one of the key reasons why the former Hamilton Tiger-Cat was eager to sign with the Bombers on the opening day of free agency earlier this month.

“Because of that, it allowed those guys to know the system that they’re in, play next to the same guys for longer periods of time, and they created something, man,” said Moxey in a chat with the Free Press.

“Do you know how hard it is to make it to the Grey Cup five years in a row? So, I think because of that, you just look at Winnipeg and say, ‘You know what, these guys are doing it right.’ Sort of how the (New England) Patriots used to back in the day. You can see them continually finding ways to get to the dance and it’s special to be a part of that and I’m excited.”

The Bombers are hoping Moxey, and other marquee signings such as receiver Tim White, offensive lineman Jarell Broxton, defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, and linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox, can get them back to the big dance after a down year in 2025 where they went 10-8 and dropped the East Division semifinal in Montreal.

“I think we’ve got one of the best O-lineman in the league (Broxton) joining and helping to protect Zach (Collaros) and block up front for (Brady) Oliveira. I think that’s dope. And you’ve got Tim White, who I think is still a Top five wide receiver in this league. When he’s at the top of his game, there’s not many better than him. I’ve been on a team with him for two years over in Hamilton practising against him every day. When he’s on, he’s on. He’ll probably tell you the same about me,” said Moxey.

“And on defence, you’ve got Jake coming over, you’ve got Santos-Knox, you’ve got myself and we’re veterans. I think those are three elite pieces joining a defence that was already good last year.”

Moxey, a Boise State product, broke into the three-down circuit with the Calgary Stampeders in 2019 and was voted a West Division all-star in 2022. He signed with the Ticats in free agency in 2024 and now arrives in Winnipeg with experience playing all over the secondary with stints at corner, halfback and the dime.

He has started 76 of his 82 career games and has eight interceptions — with three of those coming last season — and 132 defensive tackles. With the Bombers moving on from Demerio Houston (now with Ottawa), Terrell Bonds (unsigned after tearing his ACL last season), and Jamal Parker (released in December), Moxey figures to be an important piece in 2026.

Despite being several years removed from his all-star nod, Moxey is confident he can deliver at a high level.

“I just take care of my body. The older I got, I started to realize you get what you put in,” he said.

“So, if you’re just not taking the off-season seriously, or think it’s a part-time thing and you can lock in for six or seven months, (you can’t). It’s a year-round thing.”

Now entering the seventh season of his career, Moxey’s as motivated as ever by winning.

“Prior to last year, I didn’t make it out of the first round since I’ve been in Canada. When I was in Calgary, it was always a first-round exit. And last year, we lost in the East Final and I wasn’t able to play in that game. I had to attend to a family emergency with my son who is doing better now, thankfully,” said Moxey.

“I’m excited to take on the challenge. Every year, the goal is to go to the Grey Cup. I know Winnipeg’s been known for getting to the dance and they want to get back to that, so I’m happy they brought me in to help do that.”

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