Jarell Broxton didn’t become the CFL’s highest paid American offensive lineman overnight.
It was a long, long journey for the 32-year-old from Maryland — one of the newest members of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers — to get here.
His pro career started with his hometown Baltimore Ravens. He got some pre-season action and spent 2016 on the practice roster before being let go. Two years later, he was back in Baltimore, only this time with the city’s Arena Football League squad called the Brigade. After a lone season indoors, he signed with the Bombers in Feb. 2020 only to soon find out that there wouldn’t be a season that year.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press
Jarell Broxton is interviewed by reporters at Princess Auto Stadium on Thursday after the Blue Bombers signed the offensive lineman in CFL free agency earlier in the week.
He then went to the B.C. Lions in 2021, only to suffer a torn bicep in his CFL debut on Aug. 28 against the Ottawa Redblacks.
“Yeah, it’s been a journey for sure,” said Broxton on Thursday afternoon in an introductory press conference at Princess Auto Stadium.
“When I got released by the Ravens it was tough like that first year of not playing at all. That’s why I went Arena to get some tape. After that, I was like you know what, whatever happens, happens. And every opportunity that I get, I’m going to take it to my full advantage and give everything I got.”
The football gods tested his patience before he was finally able to cement himself as a full-time starter with the Lions in 2023 where he was named the team’s nominee for Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman. He took his game to another level last season by becoming a CFL all-star after surrendering a league-low 2.4 percent pressure rate.
Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke pleaded with the franchise to retain his top blocker, but when it got down to business, things didn’t work out. Broxton wanted to stay, but B.C.’s offer was a bit lower than what he was hoping it’d be.
“And then once that tampering window opened, my agent contacted me about Winnipeg and the offer they were giving me and I felt it was a no-brainer,” said Broxton, who signed a two-year deal worth $250,000 annually.
“They jumped at it right there and then and I’m like ‘Hey, I’m wanted.’ I wanted to go where I was wanted. It’s a good salary they’re giving me, so I want to come in and make a good difference as well to a good organization that’s known for winning and has a good culture here.”
Broxton admitted he wasn’t expecting to fetch that high of a number on the open market.
“I was (caught off guard). I thought it was going to be a little less. But, you know, it’s all planned and I was happy for it, and I feel it’s a great opportunity and I took it,” said Broxton.
“This is my window of getting that contract that I’ve always wanted… After this, it probably won’t ever be the same. It’s my window, it’s with a great organization, and I was like ‘Man, let’s get it done.’ I’m very excited by it.”
Even if that means he must move to right tackle?
General manager Kyle Walters spoke to reporters via Zoom earlier in the day and revealed the plan is for veteran Stanley Bryant to remain at left tackle.
“Wherever they do put me, I don’t mind playing,” said Broxton.
“But if I was to be playing right tackle, it’s an adjustment, but I’ve seen guys around the league bounce from left to right and play at a high level. So I think it’s just a good challenge for me to take.”
The Lions have played in three out of the last four West Finals, have the most talented quarterback in the league in Rourke and one of the game’s best offensive minds in Buck Pierce at head coach. Not easy to say goodbye to that, but Broxton is encouraged by the situation he’s entering.
“Yes, I’m leaving a great team with a great quarterback. But there’s a great quarterback here as well,” said Broxton. “A great team here, and I think we got the right pieces in free agency that can make a difference as well and get a run at that Grey Cup.”
Winnipeg Free Press | Newsletter
The Warm-Up
Winnipeg Jets Game Days
On Winnipeg Jets game days, hockey writers Mike McIntyre and Ken Wiebe send news, notes and quotes from the morning skate, as well as injury updates and lineup decisions. Arrives a few hours prior to puck drop.
Broxton played with newly signed receiver Tim White briefly during their days with the Ravens. Outside of that, the six-foot-three, 315-pounder is walking into a locker room full of brand-new teammates.
He has, however, gotten to know Bryant over the years.
“Stanley’s somebody that I’ve talked to after every game we’ve played against each other,” said Broxton.
“I’m excited to be in the same room as him.”
winnipegfreepress.com/taylorallen
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.
Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print — part of the Free Press‘s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press’s history and mandate, and learn how our newsroom operates.
Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber.
Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.