One of the CFL’s best defensive backs is staying put with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The club announced Thursday morning that halfback Deatrick Nichols has agreed to a one-year contract extension.
Nichols was scheduled to hit free agency in February.
Ethan Cairns / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES
Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Deatrick Nichols (right) blocks a pass to B.C. Lions’ Ayden Eberhardt. Nichols finished second in the league in pass knockdowns with 13 this past season.
The University of South Florida product initially joined the Blue and Gold in 2021 and is a two-time CFL All-Star (2021 and 2022). Nichols finished 2025 with 37 defensive tackles and 13 pass knockdowns which was second in the league behind teammate Willie Jefferson who had 16.
The 31-year-old from Miami, Fla., has only missed two games in five seasons in Winnipeg.
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Prior to taking his talents up north, he led the XFL in interceptions in 2020 as a member of the Houston Roughnecks before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the league to shut down. He also suited up for two NFL games in 2018 with the Arizona Cardinals.
The Bombers have been busy as they also re-signed running back Brady Oliveira and defensive back Redha Kramdi earlier this week.
Taylor Allen is a sports reporter for the Winnipeg Free Press. Taylor was the Vince Leah intern in the Free Press newsroom twice while earning his joint communications degree/diploma at the University of Winnipeg and Red River College Polytechnic. He signed on full-time in 2019 and mainly covers the Blue Bombers, curling, and basketball. Read more about Taylor.
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