Trey Vaval has already started 2026 with a critical return and in the process the Winnipeg Blue Bombers have scored one of their biggest touchdowns of the offseason.
The club confirmed today that Vaval — the Canadian Football League’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player and Most Outstanding Rookie in 2025 — will be back in 2026 after trying out for six National Football League teams since the end of last season in the New York Jets, New Orleans Saints, Cleveland Browns, Minnesota Vikings, Denver Broncos and Atlanta Falcons.
Vaval had until February 10th to sign a futures deal with an NFL club but told bluebombers.com Monday afternoon he’s thrilled to have some clarity for the rest of the winter and into training camp this spring.
“It was all over the place, man. I’m glad that’s all over,” Vaval said from his offseason home in Kansas City. “That whole (NFL workout) process was a blessing. It was super cool. But I’m just glad now that I’m with a team that really wants me and it’s not me just waiting and trying to figure out what’s going on.
“I talked to my agent, and this is just the best option. I just didn’t want to keep waiting. I’m in a better headspace, I believe, to play now because my teammates want me there, my coaches want me there. That makes me happy and I can free play, I can play loose instead of stressing out.”
Vaval’s 2025 was simply sensational as he led the CFL in kick return touchdowns with four — two on kickoffs with one on a punt and the other via a missed field goal — while finishing first in the league in punt return yardage (957 yards) and missed field goal return yardage (391) and fifth in kickoff return yardage (918).
He set a new Blue Bombers record with 391 yards on missed field goal returns last year and his 128-yard missed field goal return vs. Ottawa in a win in September was the longest in club history. And one more — in a home win over Toronto on August 1st he became the first player in team history to return a punt and a kickoff for a touchdown in the same game.
In the process, he became just the third Blue Bomber to win two CFL Most Outstanding Player Awards in the same season, joining Brady Oliveira from 2024 (Most Outstanding Player/Most Outstanding Canadian) and Albert Johnson III in 2000 (Most Outstanding Rookie/Most Outstanding Special Teams Player).
Vaval said there were similar themes to all six of his NFL workouts. He would fly in, do some physical testing, defensive back and kick return drills — sometimes both — and then speak with a team’s GM or assistant GM before heading home.
CFL players who are under contract have until February 10th to sign in the NFL. Vaval’s success last year helped him earn the looks from the half dozen teams but even if he was to sign with some guaranteed money, joining an NFL squad comes with no promises after that.
“Going down there, you don’t really know how teams feel about you. Some teams just want to fill up their spots,” Vaval said. “When I got to the Bombers last year I remember in our first meeting at camp before anyone got cut that JY (Jordan Younger, defensive coordinator) said, ‘We already have our pieces. What are you going to do to separate yourselves and be part of the few that are added to this team?’
“If I went to a new team I’d have to go through that again and it’s not something I’m scared of or shying away from because I’ve had to do that my whole career with no D1 offers — I played D2 for a time — I’m not afraid of having to prove myself. But, like I said, being on a team that truly wants you, it just makes you want to play harder for everyone around you.
“I’m going to be back with a team where I know all the coaches and the players and now I can play freer. I know the rules now. Now I can just ball out.”
Vaval will undoubtedly play a key role in the return game again going forward but also wants to be in the mix for starting cornerback spot in the secondary. Currently three men who started games there last year — Demerio Houston, Terrell Bridges (who was injured) and Dexter Lawson, Jr. — are all pending free agents while Jamal Parker, Jr. was release before Christmas.
Vaval made four starts at corner last year for the Blue Bombers and finished the year with 21 defensive tackles and an interception.
“Last year, I just wanted to do as much as I could for my teammates and my coaches, whatever it was,” said Vaval. “Now, if you were to put me on offence, defence, wherever. I’d be on the field for the whole game if they want. Whatever they want me to do, I’m trying to do it all I can for my team. We’re trying to get that cup this year.
“Like I said, a team that wants you is a blessing. I’m cool with everybody there. Last year I wanted to play my ass off for everybody. Now that you’ve shown me you truly want me — plus all my buddies are still there and we’ve been texting all offseason… it’s like we’re even closer than ever.”