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![\"Darryl](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/4343098_web1_CP165049830.jpg\")
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Darryl Dyck \/ THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES<\/p>\n
Quarterback Dru Brown last suited up for the Blue and Gold for the 2023 season before getting the starting pivot gig with the Ottawa Redblacks in 2024. <\/p>\n
The eventual arrival of the 29-year-old pivot \u2014 who was acquired in a trade with the Ottawa Redblacks on Tuesday and is still on his way to Winnipeg \u2014 does, however, complicate things for the club\u2019s current No. 2 quarterback, Taylor Elgersma.<\/p>\n
The 24-year-old rookie could develop into a cornerstone piece one day, but for 2026, the Bombers felt they needed an experienced arm in the bullpen in case Collaros goes down.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe made our team better,\u201d said head coach Mike O\u2019Shea.<\/p>\n
\u201cAny time you get an opportunity to add more experience to your roster you have to seriously look at it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Both O\u2019Shea and Collaros had conversations with Elgersma after the trade was made and the up-and-comer admitted that was appreciated.<\/p>\n
Elgersma will remain as QB2 for Thursday\u2019s home tilt with the Edmonton Elks (7:30 p.m. CT), but once Brown gets to town and gets settled, the backup gig will likely be his.<\/p>\n
Brown spent 2021 through 2023 with the Bombers before becoming Ottawa\u2019s starter these past two seasons.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an athlete you always have to respond well. And that\u2019s what my job is in this: to show up and be the same guy in the building every single day and compete to the highest level of my ability,\u201d said Elgersma.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have confidence in myself. I trust our staff and our coaches. I\u2019ve heard nothing but good things about him. For our team, it\u2019s another good add for us to continue to build towards a Grey Cup. And that\u2019s ultimately what my goal is as well.\u201d<\/p>\n
Oliveira has a soft spot for what Elgersma is currently going through. At the start of his career, he was stuck behind Andrew Harris on the depth chart.<\/p>\n
\u201cThere were lots of tough days for me coming in here. You\u2019re so eager and so hungry to want it now. You have to take a step back and humble yourself a little bit and say, \u2018Hey, this is a great opportunity to learn and grow,\u2019\u201d said Oliveira.<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t Julio Cortez \/ THE ASSOCIATED PRESS FILES<\/p>\n The current Winnipeg Blue Bombers backup quarterback Taylor Elgersma will remain QB2 for the club\u2019s home tilt on Thursday against the Edmonton Elks.<\/p>\n \u201cMy advice\u2026 just be patient. But understand when your opportunity does come you need to be ready.<\/p>\n \u201cHe\u2019ll be ready,\u201d Oliveira added.<\/p>\n O\u2019Shea echoed a similar sentiment regarding the young Canadian passer.<\/p>\n \n\t\tWinnipeg Free Press | Newsletter\n\t<\/p>\n \t\t\tThe Warm-Up<\/p>\n Winnipeg Jets Game Days<\/p>\n 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.<\/p>\n \t\t\tSign up for The Warm-Up<\/a><\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t \u201cHe\u2019s got a tremendously bright future,\u201d said O\u2019Shea on Elgersma. \u201cThis doesn\u2019t change that.\u201d<\/p>\n It shouldn\u2019t take Brown long to learn the playbook. He already has familiarity with Bombers offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell who was Ottawa\u2019s playcaller from 2024-25.<\/p>\n Brown was made available after losing the starting gig to Jake Maier in training camp.<\/p>\n \u201cI knew Dru wanted to be back here, for sure,\u201d said Collaros. \u201cI\u2019m very fired up to have him back. One of my closest friends. Gives a lot of great insight into the game-planning part of it, the whole strategy thing.\u201d<\/p>\n winnipegfreepress.com\/taylorallen<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t Taylor Allen 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<\/a>.<\/p>\n Every piece of reporting Taylor produces is reviewed by an editing team before it is posted online or published in print \u2014 part of the Free Press\u2018s tradition, since 1872, of producing reliable independent journalism. Read more about Free Press\u2019s history and mandate<\/a>, and learn how our newsroom operates<\/a>.<\/p>\n
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