Photo: Michael Scraper/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have officially moved on from Canadian linebacker Shayne Gauthier, general manager Kyle Walters told the media on Thursday.

“(Head coach) Mike (O’Shea) spoke to him,” said Walters. “Shayne had a hell of a career, but Mike’s let Shayne know that we won’t be offering him a contract this year.”

The five-foot-ten, 218-pound defender played all 18 regular-season games for the team in 2025, recording eight defensive tackles and seven special teams tackles. He officially became a free agent on Tuesday.

The native of Dolbeau-Mistassini, Que. was originally a fourth-round pick in the 2016 CFL Draft out of Université Laval. He has since made 64 defensive tackles, 78 special teams tackles, two sacks, and two forced fumbles over 123 career regular-season CFL games.

The 33-year-old helped the Blue Bombers win the Grey Cup in 2019 and 2021. Arguably his most memorable play occurred in the West Final in 2019 when he made a touchdown-saving tackle on a punt return, helping preserve Winnipeg’s late lead.

Gauthier’s agent, Fred Weinrauch, told 3DownNation on Thursday that his client is not retiring and intends to play in 2026.

Walters also confirmed that Dillon Mitchell will not be offered a contract for 2026. The veteran receiver was arrested in November for allegedly participating in a high-speed chase in Arkansas, though Walters said the team had already decided to move on before he became the subject of criminal charges.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers finished fourth in the West Division standings in 2025 with a 10-8 record, qualifying for the playoffs as the crossover team before losing the East Semi-Final to the Montreal Alouettes. Zach Collaros threw for 3,048 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 13 regular-season games, going 6-7 as a starter.

The Blue Bombers ranked fifth in net offence, third in net defence, and eighth with a turnover differential of minus-eleven. The club’s leading rusher was Brady Oliveira with 1,163 yards, leading receiver was Nic Demski with 1,001 yards, and leading tackler was Tony Jones with 104 tackles. Winnipeg ranked first in attendance with average crowds of 32,343, which was a 3.7 percent increase from the previous year.