The Winnipeg Blue Bombers wasted no time to better their team on day 1 of free agency; which is a marked change from recent years.

Understanding that their team was not good enough in 2025, the Bombers seemed not to be interested in a slow re-build, bit rather a quicker retool.

Michael Fletcher
This American defensive end comes to the Bombers from Appalachian State, “where he played two seasons and appeared in 23 games, including nine starts. During his time with the Mountaineers, he totaled 40 tackles (19 solo, 21 assists), nine sacks for 44 yards lost, nine tackles for loss (43 yards), one knockdown, one forced fumble and two recoveries.

Before transferring to Appalachian State, Fletcher spent three seasons at Michigan State, appearing in 21 games with three starts. He posted 31 tackles (12 solo, 19 assists) and three sacks.” (Source).

He also suited up for the New York Jets in 2025 as an undrafted player. Appearing in their 3 pre-season games, he did not show enough to win a spot on the active roster. As such, he is not guaranteed to make the Bombers’ roster either. But depth in training camp is never bad.

Aaron Smith
Aaron Smith is an American linebacker who joins the Bombers after a four-year collegiate career with South Carolina State (2021-2024). Like Fletcher, he too saw some NFL action was was not able to make a team for the NFL regular season.

“Smith joined the New York Jets as an undrafted free agent in 2025, participating in rookie minicamp and training camp. He appeared in all three preseason games, recording four tackles, one knockdown, and one quarterback hit.

Over his collegiate career, Smith totaled 241 tackles (159 solo, 82 assists), 9.5 sacks, 23.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions, two pass breakups, and one forced fumble. In 2024, he posted a career-best 95 tackles and 8.5 tackles for loss, highlighted by a 17-tackle performance against Jackson State. He earned First Team All-MEAC honours in 2024 and participated in the 2025 East-West Shrine Bowl.” (Source). It will be interesting to see if he is just brought in as a depth player, or if he can crack the practice roster.

Jovan Santos-Knox
This name should sound familiar to Bomber fans. He spent 2017 & 2018 with the Bombers. After that he spent time in Edmonton, Hamilton, and Ottawa.

In his 2025 campaign, “Santos-Knox had an exceptional season with the Redblacks in 2025, finishing second on the club to Adarius Pickett in tackles with 80, adding an interception while being named the team’s Most Outstanding Defensive Player. He earned the same honour 2022 while with the Tiger-Cats and that year was also named to the East Division All-Star Team.” (Source). The Bombers are making it clear, with this linebacker signing that they are definitely looking to upgrade that position in 2026.

Jarell Broxton
Understating that a key to the Bombers’ success is keeping Collaros on two feet, the club went out and signed Jarell Broxton, an offensive lineman. While this name may not be familiar to many fans, this is a big signing! And we should not be surprised with this announcement as the Bombers had previously had him on the team.

“Broxton, 32, was widely considered the top offensive lineman available on the free agent market after a 2025 season in which he appeared in 16 games and was part of an offensive line that allowed the fewest sacks in the league and an offence that set a new CFL record by averaging 8.04 yards per play.

He was named an All-CFL and West Division All-CFL after posting a league-best Pro Football Focus grade of 81.2 in pass protection and was named B.C.’s Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman for three consecutive seasons in 2023, 2024 and 2025.” (Source)

As mentioned, this is not the first time the Bombers were interested in Broxton. He originally joined the team for the 2020 season, but as we recall that season was cancelled. The Bombers were eyeing him up to help them do the original back-to-back. They felt he was good enough then, and believe is is still good enough to help them get back to the top of the mountain.

Tommy Nield
This was the worst kept secret as the Bombers previous agreed to terms with him.

The Bombers were thin at receiver in 2025, so this deal makes a lot of sense for the Bombers. But what is in it for Tommy Nield? He just wont the Grey Cup with Saskatchewan in 2025. “After putting up career-best numbers last year in Saskatchewan with 42 receptions for 535 yards and five touchdowns in 13 games. He began the year by missing the first five games due to injury before serving as a reserve receiver for two weeks. He then started the last 11 games and the Western Final and 112th Grey Cup victory for the Roughriders over the Montreal Alouettes at Princess Auto Stadium in Winnipeg.” (Source).

Maybe he likes playing in Winnipeg after the Grey Cup in Winnipeg. But there must be more to that. I believe the Bombers were not cheap on this deal. Likely learning from last year, that saving money is a fools errand if you do not have the horses to get you across the line.

Additionally, the Bombers will likely lose a receiver or two. Keric Wheatfall, Jerreth Sterns and Dillon Mitchell, as well as Dalton Schoen and receiver/return Kody Case, are set to become free agents. Both Dalton Schoen and receiver/return Kody Case are coming off injuries. And as for Mitchell, he was a huge let down. That leaves the Bombers needing to sign receivers.

 Jonathan Moxey
This is another signing that the Bombers made clear that they had already agreed to terms with a player.

Moxey is a veteran of 82 Canadian Football League games, 76 of them starts, and has eight career interceptions and has started games at corner, halfback and the dime spot during his days with Calgary and Hamilton. He started at field corner all of last year with the Ticats.

He would be joining a Blue Bombers secondary which has already locked up CFL All-Star Evan Holm this offseason, as well as halfback Deatrick Nichols and dime back Redha Kramdi.

“As we pointed out in this piece, Winnipeg is heading into free agency next week with both Demerio Houston and Dexter Lawson, Jr. pending free agents, as well as Terrell Bonds, who finished the year on the injured list. With Jamal Parker, Jr. released in December and Marquise Bridges last summer, of the six different players who started at corner for the club in 2025, only Trey Vaval is officially under contract.” (Source).

The Bombers needed to make sure that they were not late to the party in suring up their defense, and this free agency shows that they understood their mission. In past years the Bombers have sat back and waited to see what unfolds. It seems like in preparation for the 2026 season the Bombers are utilizing a different philosophy.

Final Thoughts
I like the moves that the Bombers have been making, although they have settled down a bit after day 1 of free agency. I would still like to see more receivers, and quality receivers signed. I am not convinced that the Bombers are done (nor should be done) with their defensive front, and their offensive line. Finally, while the Bombers may have a number of quarterbacks on paper, they really only have 1 quarterback…Collaros.

Sure the Bombers recently added quarterback Kaleb Blaha to their negotiation list. And yes his numbers looks good; a division III player who is six-foot-two, 200-pound completed 65.0 percent of his passes for 11,004 yards, 92 touchdowns, and 27 interceptions over 48 games, as well as rushing for 3,735 yards and 60 scores.

But none of that really matters. Why? Because CFL teams can add players to their negotiation list without the player even knowing. Therefore, having a player on your negotiation list does not even mean that the player has expressed interest in CFL football. It really is a glorified first-dips whish list.

So while I like what the Bombers have done so far, there is more work to be done if they hope to be more competitive in 2026, let alone a return to glory.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this. Catch all my articles here.