‘Seeing how much the Winnipeg community gets around their football’

Bryce Perkins isn’t taking the easy route.

The 2025 United Football League MVP and Offensive Player of the Year could’ve stayed down south and started somewhere in the spring league, but instead, the 29-year-old quarterback is in Winnipeg starting from scratch.

“My dad (Bruce Perkins, a former fullback) played for Hamilton, so he was telling me about the CFL. They love their football up here and that’s kind of what you want to play for,” said Perkins after Day 1 of Blue Bombers rookie camp at Princess Auto Stadium.

“I just felt like where I’m at in my career, for a career-wise goal in whatever these next couple years hold, I want to be a part of a league, a team, an organization that really gets behind football. It’s a longstanding league that loves ball, the guys are great, and it’s a fun, new challenge for me as well.”

Perkins knew all about the Bombers before signing a contract in late November. The Chandler, Ariz., product is good friends with recently retired Bombers QB and fellow Arizona resident Chris Streveler and has trained with Terry Wilson in the past.

Perkins, Wilson, Taylor Elgersma and Payton Thorne are all trying to earn the job of being the No. 2 pivot behind Zach Collaros.

“I’ve been following (Streveler and Wilson) on Instagram, so I’ve been able to see before I made the decision to come up here just kind of what Winnipeg football was all about,” said Perkins.

“It was a live atmosphere, that’s part of another reason, too. And just seeing how much the Winnipeg community gets around their football. So when the opportunity came, it was definitely one I was interested in. Didn’t know too much just besides the extra man on the field, three downs and the waggle motion, but that’s part of the fun of it — getting to know everything.”

Bruce happened to play in Hamilton (1993-94) when a young linebacker named Mike O’Shea was breaking into the CFL with the Tiger-Cats. He shared a few details with his son about what the head coach of the Bombers was like back in the day.

“He said, ‘Yeah, O’Shea was tall,’ and I said, ‘Yeah, he is kind of tall.’ But he said, ‘Yeah, he was a baller, man,’” said Perkins.

“Definitely when you get around him, you see how he loves ball, see how he interacts with players, that’s what you love. A lot of great players that become coaches definitely understand how to run, lead and understand us as players. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

After closing out his collegiate career at Virginia in 2019, Perkins was signed by the Los Angeles Rams as an undrafted free agent and was a member of the team for three seasons, winning a Super Bowl in 2021. In 2022, Perkins dressed for five games and made his lone NFL start on Nov. 27, 2022, in a 26-10 loss against the Kansas City Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium.

He completed 13-of-23 passes for 100 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. He also ran nine times for 44 yards.

His older brother Paul Perkins also has NFL ties as a former starting running back for the New York Giants.

“It was loud. That was the year the Chiefs won the Super Bowl,” he said.

“And I just remember the pace of everything was a little faster. But you know, with all the ups and downs in the game, I had the opportunity to score my first touchdown throwing to Van Jefferson down there. That’s something that I hold dear to my heart.”

Despite being outdueled by Patrick Mahomes, the experience has helped Perkins grow into the player he is today.

“You learn how to be calm. You really have to be calm out there and really lead and orchestrate. That was one of the best things that happened for me in my career,” he said.

“After that, it led to how I attacked the game, how I approached the game, how I see the game, and I’m grateful for that.”

It was only the first day, and there weren’t a ton of reps to go around, but Perkins struggled to connect with receivers on Wednesday.

Elgersma was the sharpest out of the bunch, completing several big passes downfield.

The biggest test for Perkins and the rest of the bullpen will be May 23 when they head to Regina for a pre-season tilt against the Roughriders.

“He’s a good, hard worker. He showed up here early, he’s been putting the time in the film room, studying, doing those things, he’s a pro,” O’Shea said about Perkins.

“He’s done it in another league and done it very, very well and it’s obvious that he’s a professional.”

O’Shea made it clear that Wilson has the inside track on the backup gig since he’s entering Year 3 with the Bombers.

“I know it’s a new (playbook) this year, but Terry’s been in the CFL,” said O’Shea.

“Anybody that’s got more experience would have a leg up.”

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