Hectic off-season in the CFL

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This article was published 05/01/2022 (1377 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

It’s been just a month since the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ victory over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the 108th Grey Cup, yet the CFL offseason has already been hectic.

In the past few weeks, some teams got a head start to the 2022 CFL season, re-signing players ahead of free agency opening in earnest on Feb. 8. Some front-office staff have bolted for other job opportunities with opposing clubs, while other teams have taken the time to fill vacancies within their own coaching ranks.

Indeed, once upon a time the CFL seemed to shut off the lights for much of the winter, but that hasn’t been the case for the three-down game in recent years. And with this offseason expected to be a busy one — there still isn’t a collective bargaining agreement for the coming season and beyond — it only makes sense to continue our weekly CFL Rundown column through the chilly months.

There’s plenty to cover, so let’s get into it.

1) I shouldn’t be surprised to see Chris Jones back in the CFL, reuniting with Edmonton as its general manager and head coach after leading the team to a Grey Cup in 2015 — only to pack up his coaching staff and head to Saskatchewan. The least surprising part, though, was Elks chairman Ian Murray actually having to say Jones is committed for the full tenure of his contract, which is good through the 2025 season.

2) Jones, who hired Geroy Simon from B.C. to be his assistant GM, has since added to his coaching staff offensive co-ordinator Stephen McAdoo, Jarious Jackson (pass game co-ordinator and QB coach) and Markus Howell (run game co-ordinator and receivers coach). All three men were on Jones’ staff in 2015.

3) Speaking of the Elks, they did quite the roster purge shortly after finishing a league-worst 3-11, including 0-7 at home. Of the 11 players released, the most notable names include offensive lineman SirVincent Rogers, defensive back Jonathan Rose, receiver Armanti Edwards, defensive end Chris Casher and kick-returner Terry Williams.

4) Some other notable releases across the CFL: QB Trevor Harris, who was due a $300,000 bonus in February, was released by the Montreal Alouettes. The Als also released veteran OL David Foucault, who was later signed by Edmonton.

5) With Jones in Edmonton, whatever fears might have existed over the Elks persuading Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea to swap colours are officially extinguished. That said, O’Shea knows his value and his next deal will be more than interesting.

6) Jones spent the last half of the 2021 CFL season as Toronto’s defensive co-ordinator, a position that has seen been filled by former Stampeders DL coach Corey Mace. I guess former Bombers coach Glenn Young, who was the DC before taking a leave of absence after not getting the COVID-19 vaccine, won’t be back with the Double Blue. Expect that to be a trend moving forward, as well as players who refuse to get the jab.

7) It looked for a while there that the Bombers might lose both their assistant GMs, as Ted Goveia and Danny McManus drew interest from other clubs looking to fill their vacant GM spots. Instead, they’ll both be back, with Winnipeg inking each to a two-year contract extension. Both have been massive pieces to the Bombers winning puzzle and the offseason just got a lot less hectic with their return.

8) That doesn’t mean Goveia and McManus won’t still have their hands full. The Bombers won’t be able to pay everyone their full worth, and with OL Drew Desjarlais and defensive backs DeAundre Alford and Deatrick Nichols — all of whom were named CFL all-stars — garnering significant interest in the NFL, there might be some more work required than first expected.

9) Another story that seemed to catch fire over Grey Cup week was the future of Hamilton head coach Orlondo Steinauer, who was rumoured to be interested in the DC job at the University of Washington. Well, turns out that was a bunch of hot air; not only did Steinauer deny a potential exit, the Ticats have added the additional title of president of football operations.

10) Staying with the Ticats, special-teams co-ordinator Jeff Reinbold turned down an offer to return in 2022, which would have been his eighth season in Hamilton. In a conversation with Reinbold during Grey Cup week, I got the feeling he was ready for something else. If it does turn out to be his last season coaching football, what a career it’s been, spanning nearly four decades, with 16 years in the CFL.

11) After hiring Shawn Burke, the Ottawa Redblacks new general manager has brought back a familiar face in Brendan Taman. Taman, who won a Grey Cup in 2013 as Saskatchewan’s GM, will be director of pro personnel. Jeremy Snyder will remain as assistant GM, with scout Philippe Moreau also coming back. Chad Hudson, who spent 13 years with the Roughriders, has been hired as the director of Canadian scouting and football analytics, while director of player personnel Jean-Marc Edme and co-ordinator of player personnel Pier-Yves Lavergne were both let go.

12) Future hall-of-fame defensive end Charleston Hughes was released by the Toronto Argonauts in a decision he characterized as mutually beneficial. Hughes had a down season in 2021, limited to just nine games — owing to injury— and two QB sacks. He had registered double-digit sacks in seven of his previous eight seasons. At 38 years old and 13 seasons in the CFL, one might think Hughes is considering calling it a career. But he took to social media shortly after saying he’s ready for another shot.

13) If you were watching the most recent episode of The Simpsons, you would have seen the long-standing popular animated comedy series refer to the Bombers and CFL. In the episode, the Bombers’ team bus is depicted as players hopped on to “try their luck in the Canadian Football League.” It’s the third time in the show’s history it has referenced the River City. Take that, Regina.

14) The CFL finally handed down its last bit of discipline for the ugly incidents that occurred between members of the Toronto Argonauts, the media and fans following the East final back in early December. Defensive back Chris Edwards was suspended six games for his role in an altercation with fans and QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson was fined an undisclosed amount for “an inappropriate on-field incident with a cameraperson” following the loss.

15) The Calgary Stampeders have re-signed No. 2 quarterback Jake Maier, inking the 24-year-old through the 2022 season. Maier impressed in his rookie campaign in 2021, including becoming the first player in CFL history to eclipse 300 yards passing in his first three starts. The signing of Maier has raised questions about the future of Bo Levi Mitchell, the Stampeders’ star pivot who has been a significant part of the club’s success over much of the past decade. Time will tell what Maier’s extension will mean for Mitchell, but already there are reports he’s being asked to restructure his contract. Mitchell is due a roster bonus of $100,000 on Jan. 15.

16) Other notable re-signings in the CFL: WR Dominique Rhymes (B.C); LB Micah Tietz (Sask); OL Sukh Chungh (B.C.); DB Nick Marshall (Sask); Jake Thomas (Wpg).

17) Finally, the CFL released its 2022 schedule, which includes the return of pre-season games and an 18-game season. The season opens with a Thursday night (June 9) matchup between Montreal at Calgary. The Bombers play the next evening against visiting Ottawa, marking what will be the return of Paul LaPolice since leaving the Bombers to take over as head coach with the Redblacks ahead of the cancelled 2020 campaign.

jeff.hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

twitter: @jeffkhamilton