On February 11, the Bombers announced that they have agreed to terms on a one year deal with Nick Hallet. What makes this one interesting is that Hallett went to free agency on Tuesday, February 10 only to re-sign with the Bombers a day latter.

Maybe this was a case of the Bombers being very busy with other signings. Maybe this was a case of Hallett trying free agency, the phone not ringing (I am speculating) and him deciding that he better join on back with the Bombers. Because, although I do not know how this one played out, there is one thing I know; and it is this. In free agency, when the team’s money is gone…it is gone. You do not want to be that player that tested free agency and now finds yourself on the outside looking in.

While I will not dive too far back into my memory bank, you can probably recall players who wanted to test CFL free agency and then found themselves without a deal. Sometimes months long without a contract. Sometimes, even into the beginning of the season. And then pundits will muse, “I wonder why he never got picked up.” It is because the money was spent already.

And while I am not intimately privy to all those discussions, I will tell you this…it comes down to dollars available to spend. So maybe, just maybe, Hallett decided that getting a deal done, and one with a team he is intimately familiar with, was a good idea.

Hallett has spent the last 6 seasons with the Bombers. He knows what he can expect from them in terms of utilization and playing time. He does not need to prove himself to a new team.

For the Bombers this is also a win. Not only is he a great special teams player, and a very good defensive back…but he is a Canadian. Whatever you think about the ratio it is a real thing that CFL teams need to comply with. The Bombers signing Hallett should give them more options on how to navigate this.

“Hallett appeared in 14 games in 2025, registering two defensive tackles, nine on special teams while adding a forced fumble. He led the Blue Bombers in special teams tackles in 2023 with 20, third in the CFL, and now has 80 in his career – sixth most in franchise history.” (Source) While some may look at this signing and feel like it is not flashy enough, this is a solid signing.

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