CFL – Winnipeg Free Press

Darryl Dyck / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers reported multiples scores in the B-range on the CFL Players’ Association report cards.

Bombers score well above average on CFLPA report cards

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Yesterday at 8:37 PM CST

The CFL Players’ Association released their second annual team report cards Wednesday afternoon and the Winnipeg Blue Bombers scored well above average.

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Bombers release Kolankowski, re-sign Schmekel; Jackson signs with Stamps

Joshua Frey-Sam 3 minute read Preview

Bombers release Kolankowski, re-sign Schmekel; Jackson signs with Stamps

Joshua Frey-Sam 3 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have released their starting centre.

The club cut pending free agent Chris Kolankowski on Monday, allowing the 33-year-old to hit the open market early. He was slated to become a free agent on Feb. 10.

Kolankowski started every game over the last three seasons for the Bombers, and appeared in 73 contests — making 69 starts — overall since arriving in 2020. He won the 2021 Grey Cup with the Blue and Gold as a backup.

Kolankowski’s departure adds to the mystery around what the Bombers’ offensive line will look like next season. Tui Eli —the club’s sixth offensive lineman in 2025 — re-signed before the calendar flipped, while starting left guard Gabe Wallace and right tackle Kendall Randolph are already under contract, but the most veteran starters, Stanley Bryant and Patrick Neufeld, remain unsigned.

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Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

Veteran coach Jeff Reinebold returns to CFL as Ottawa’s special-teams co-ordinator

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Veteran coach Jeff Reinebold returns to CFL as Ottawa’s special-teams co-ordinator

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: 3:20 PM CST

OTTAWA - Jeff Reinebold is back in the CFL.

Ryan Dinwiddie, the Ottawa Redblacks head coach and general manager, unveiled Reinebold as the club's new special-teams co-ordinator Thursday. Dinwiddie is in his first season in the Canadian capital following five years with the Toronto Argonauts.

Reinebold, 68, joins the Redblacks after serving as defensive tackles coach for the last two years at the University of Hawaii. Reinebold has previous CFL coaching experience as an assistant with Hamilton (2013-16, 2019-21, 2023), B.C. (1991-93, 1996, 2018), Montreal (2012), Edmonton (1995) and the Las Vegas Posse (1994) while also having served as head coach with Winnipeg (1997-98).

Dinwiddie, who led Toronto to two Grey Cup wins, retained defensive co-ordinator William Fields, offensive line coach Mike Gibson and assistant special-teams co-ordinator/quality control Nate Taylor. All three were members of former head coach Bob Dyce's staff last year, although Taylor was the club's running backs coach.

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Updated: 3:20 PM CST

Jeff Reinebold was named the Ottawa Redblacks special-teams coach. Hamilton Tiger-Cats special teams co-ordinator, Jeff Reinebold, yells at a referee following an attempted onside kick by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats late in the second half of CFL football action against the Edmonton Eskimos in Hamilton on Oct. 28, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

Hamilton Tiger-Cats release veteran American defensive lineman Casey Sayles

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Hamilton Tiger-Cats release veteran American defensive lineman Casey Sayles

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Updated: 4:15 PM CST

HAMILTON - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats released American defensive lineman Casey Sayles on Thursday.

Sayles, 30, spent the last three seasons with Hamilton. He appeared in 51 regular-season games, recording 122 tackles, 18 sacks, and one forced fumble.

Sayles was an Eastern Division All-CFL selection in 2023 and '25. He appeared n 17 regular-season games last year, registering 34 tackles, four sacks, and one forced fumble.

The six-foot-three, 290-pound Sayles began his CFL career with Winnipeg (2021-22).

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Updated: 4:15 PM CST

Hamilton Tiger-Cats' Casey Sayles, left, celebrates after sacking Ottawa quarterback Dru Brown (3) during first half CFL action in Hamilton, Ont. on Saturday, July 12, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Geoff Robins

Argonauts head coach Mike Miller unveils his 2026 coaching staff

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Argonauts head coach Mike Miller unveils his 2026 coaching staff

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Updated: 11:13 AM CST

TORONTO - Mike Miller and Chris Miller are together again.

Chris Miller will serve as the Toronto Argonauts quarterback coach under new head coach Mike Miller, the CFL club announced Thursday. The two, who are not related, spent three seasons together as coaches with the NFL's Arizona Cardinals, where Mike Miller was the club's quarterback coach (2009-11) and Chris Miller served as receivers coach, passing-game co-ordinator and offensive co-ordinator (2007-12).

Mike Miller was hired as Toronto's head coach Dec. 1 to replace Ryan Dinwiddie, who left to become the Ottawa Redblacks head coach and general manager. Miller joined the Argos as quarterback coach in 2022.

Chris Miller, 60, was an 1987 first-round pick of the Atlanta Falcons and over 10 NFL seasons also played quarterback for the Los Angeles/St. Louis Rams (1994-95) and Denver Broncos (1999).

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Updated: 11:13 AM CST

New CFL balls are photographed at the Winnipeg Blue Bombers stadium in Winnipeg, Thursday, May 24, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

Micah Johnson retires as a player to become Riders defensive line coach

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Micah Johnson retires as a player to become Riders defensive line coach

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Monday, Jan. 5, 2026

REGINA - Micah Johnson is entering the CFL coaching ranks.

The veteran defensive lineman retired after 13 CFL seasons Monday but will remain with the Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders as their defensive line coach.

Johnson, 37, capped his CFL playing career by helping Saskatchewan win the 2025 Grey Cup. The six-foot-one, 255-pound American was a league all-star last season for a second straight year after registering 20 tackles (two for loss) and six sacks.

Johnson is in his third stint with Saskatchewan, having also played with the Riders in 2019 and '21 before rejoining the franchise in 2023.

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Monday, Jan. 5, 2026

B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (right) speaks with Saskatchewan Roughriders defensive lineman Micah Johnson (4) after the CFL West Division final in Regina, on Saturday, November 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Veteran safety Katsantonis signs three-year extension with Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Preview

Veteran safety Katsantonis signs three-year extension with Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Canadian Press 4 minute read Monday, Jan. 5, 2026

HAMILTON - Canadian safety Stavros Katsantonis signed a three-year contract extension with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Monday.

Katsantonis, 29, was slated to become a free agent next month.

Katsantonis was a CFL all-star last season, registering 69 tackles, three special-teams tackles and six interceptions in 17 regular-season contests.

The five-foot-nine, 193-pound Katsantonis has appeared in 81 career games with Hamilton, which selected him in the fourth round of the 2020 CFL draft out of the University of British Columbia. Katsantonis has registered 200 tackles, 29 special-teams tackles, 12 interceptions, two forced fumbles, three sacks and scored a touchdown with the Ticats.

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Monday, Jan. 5, 2026

Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive back Stavros Katsantonis (30) and defensive back Richard Leonard (23) tackle Toronto Argonauts running back Daniel Adeboboye (21) during first half CFL football action in Toronto on Friday, Sept. 20, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette

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Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saskatchewan Roughriders earn top grades in CFLPA report cards

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Hamilton Tiger-Cats, Saskatchewan Roughriders earn top grades in CFLPA report cards

Dan Ralph, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 5:23 PM CST

TORONTO - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats, among the CFL's top teams last season, have earned the distinction of being its best franchise off the field.

Hamilton, which finished atop the East Division in 2025, received five As and five Bs in the CFL Players' Association's second annual team report cards, which were released Wednesday.

The top grades came in football operations, facilities/equipment, strength and conditioning, team travel and training camp while Bs were for coaching staff, ownership/business operations, therapy/medical staff, nutrition/diet and treatment of families.

"My club ranked highly last year and still elected to make improvements," a player remarked anonymously about the Ticats. "This club is the class of the CFL and goes beyond the call of duty.

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Updated: Yesterday at 5:23 PM CST

Hamilton Tiger-Cats defensive lineman Julian Howsare (95) tries to get the crowd going during first half CFL East Final football action against the Montreal Alouettes, in Hamilton on Saturday, Nov. 8, 2025. The Ticats earned top marks in the CFL Players' Association's second annual team report cards. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Peter Power

Tiger-Cats re-sign lineman Revenberg; Bombers extend defensive back Holm

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Preview

Tiger-Cats re-sign lineman Revenberg; Bombers extend defensive back Holm

The Canadian Press 3 minute read Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

HAMILTON - The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have signed Canadian offensive lineman Brandon Revenberg to a one-year contract, the CFL club announced Tuesday.

The 33-year-old from Essex, Ont., earned All-CFL honours for the fifth time in his career last season and was named to the East Division All-CFL team for the sixth time.

Revenberg started all 18 regular-season games at left guard, giving passing leader Bo Levi Mitchell protection while opening up lanes for running back Greg Bell to rush for over 1,000 yards.

He was the East Division's nominee for outstanding lineman for the fourth time.

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Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2026

Hamilton Tiger-Cats Brandon Revenberg takes part in a practice at Tim Hortons Field during the CFL's Grey Cup week in Hamilton on Friday, December 10, 2021. Revenberg has been a model of durability with the Tiger-Cats. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nick Iwanyshyn

B.C. Lions release defensive back Carter so he can pursue NFL opportunities

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

B.C. Lions release defensive back Carter so he can pursue NFL opportunities

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Yesterday at 1:08 PM CST

VANCOUVER - The B.C. Lions released Robert Carter Jr., on Wednesday to allow the American defensive back to pursue NFL opportunities.

The five-foot-10, 175-pound Carter appeared in 18 regular-season games in 2025, his first in the CFL. He recorded five interceptions and one forced fumble while scoring a defensive touchdown for the Lions.

Carter has since reportedly signed a deal with the NFL's Indianapolis Colts.

"Robert earned every bit of this opportunity," Lions general manager Ryan Rigmaiden said in a statement. "As a rookie, he started every game, performed at a very high level and made some of the most outstanding individual plays we've seen in recent memory.

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Yesterday at 1:08 PM CST

B.C. Lions defensive back Robert Carter Jr. (26) tackles Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Joe Robustelli (82) during the first half of CFL West Division Final football action in Regina, on Saturday, November 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Elks send American linebacker Nyles Morgan to Redblacks for swap of picks

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Elks send American linebacker Nyles Morgan to Redblacks for swap of picks

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

The Edmonton Elks have sent American linebacker Nyles Morgan to the Ottawa Redblacks in exchange for a swap of picks in the 2026 CFL draft.

Edmonton will get the 21st-overall pick (third round) and 35th-overall selection (fourth round).

Meanwhile, Ottawa will have the 23rd-overall pick (third round) and 41st-overall selection (fifth round) in the upcoming draft.

The move secures a projected four picks inside the top 21 of the draft for the Elks, who are slated to receive a compensatory second-round pick for leading the CFL in snaps by national players last season.

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Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025

Edmonton Elks' Nyles Morgan (45) hits Montreal Alouettes' Jacob Mason (38) during first half CFL action against the Montreal Alouettes in Montreal on Friday, Aug. 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christopher Katsarov

Roughriders re-sign Canadian receiver Samuel Emilus to two-year contract extension

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Preview

Roughriders re-sign Canadian receiver Samuel Emilus to two-year contract extension

The Canadian Press 2 minute read Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

The Saskatchewan Roughriders have signed Canadian receiver Samuel Emilus to a two-year contract extension, the CFL club announced Wednesday.

Emilus was named the top Canadian of this year's Grey Cup after he caught 10 passes for 108 yards in the Roughriders' 25-17 win over the Montreal Alouettes.

The 28-year-old was also the Roughriders' top receiver in the West Final, where he had nine receptions for 100 yards.

The six-foot, 200-pound receiver from Montreal played seven regular-season games in 2025, registering 588 yards with two touchdowns on 37 receptions.

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Wednesday, Dec. 24, 2025

Saskatchewan Roughriders receiver Samuel Emilus (19) stiff arms B.C. Lions defensive back Robert Carter Jr. (26) during the second half of the CFL West Division final football action in Regina, on Saturday, November 8, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Heywood Yu

Condell aware of importance of run game to Bombers offence

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Preview

Condell aware of importance of run game to Bombers offence

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Tommy Condell has not made a name for himself in the CFL by running the football.

In nearly 11 years as an offensive co-ordinator in the three-down loop, he’s never once had a running back finish top three in rushing. To further add to that, his tailbacks have finished outside the top 10 in ground yards in half of those seasons.

That’s not going to fly in Winnipeg with running back Brady Oliveira making around $300,000 per year through 2028.

So, when Condell — who was officially announced as the new OC of the Bombers on Monday — sat down on Zoom with reporters on Tuesday, there was one obvious question: is his style the right fit for the Blue and Gold?

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Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

OTTAWA REDBLACKS
Bombers’ offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell is known for empahsizing the passing game.

Move to D-line coach natural for lifelong Bomber Thomas

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Preview

Move to D-line coach natural for lifelong Bomber Thomas

Taylor Allen 4 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Jake Thomas wasn’t planning on retiring.

The 35-year-old defensive tackle expressed in his exit interview with head coach Mike O’Shea that he was interested in strapping on a helmet for a 14th season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

Then, a few weeks later, a new opportunity presented itself. Defensive line coach Darrell Patterson had informed the club he was retiring after five seasons in the role, leaving O’Shea with a vacancy on his staff that needed to be filled.

He floated the idea by Thomas, and the rest, as they say, is history.

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Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS files
Jake Thomas ends his playing career with two Grey Cup rings.

Blue Bombers veteran Jake Thomas trades cleats for clipboard in new coaching role

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Preview

Blue Bombers veteran Jake Thomas trades cleats for clipboard in new coaching role

Judy Owen, The Canadian Press 5 minute read Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

WINNIPEG - Willie Jefferson is giving Jake Thomas the stamp of approval in his new role as the Blue Bombers' defensive line coach.

After all, the veteran rush end has already seen Thomas in coaching mode during their six seasons as teammates in Winnipeg, including the 2025 campaign.

“Jake is one of those X's and O's guys, like old school,” Jefferson said from Texas, where he was visiting family when the Bombers made the announcement Monday.

“Pretty much once a week during the season he shows tendencies of being a really good coach, wanting the young guys (in meetings) to get up on the board and draw the plays out. And not just what they have to do, but knowing what everybody on the defensive line has to do.”

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Tuesday, Dec. 23, 2025

Winnipeg Blue Bombers Jake Thomas (95) sacks Edmonton Elks quarterback Taylor Cornelius (15) during first half CFL action in Edmonton, Alta., on Friday July 22, 2022. Thomas agreed to terms on a one-year extension with Winnipeg on Friday.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

Thomas hangs up cleats, picks up clipboard

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Preview

Thomas hangs up cleats, picks up clipboard

Taylor Allen 3 minute read Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

The longest tenured Winnipeg Blue Bomber is now the newest CFL coach.

After 13 seasons with the Blue and Gold, veteran defensive tackle Jake Thomas is retiring as a player. He isn’t going anywhere, though, as the 35-year-old from New Brunswick has been hired as the team’s defensive line coach.

He’s replacing Darrell Patterson who’s retiring after five seasons with the club.

“He’s extremely intelligent. He’s always been a guy who studies the game well, communicates well to his teammates, so you expect that to continue,” head coach Mike O’Shea said Monday.

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Monday, Dec. 22, 2025

January 8, 2026

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