If there is one thing that the Bombers need to figure out in a hurry, it is who will be their number 2 quarterback.
But not only do they need to figure this out quickly...they need to get it right. In fact, as I type this I will argue against myself...and retract my opening statement. Let me start again; If there is one thing the Bombers need to get right it is who their number 2 quarterback will be.
There was a lot of thought that if the Bombers could get Elgersma to come up north that he would be immediately slotted in as the back up quarterback to Collaros. Late March I wrote, "Streveler Retires? MBT on Bombers’ Radar; Bombers Still Lack #2 Quarterback" Anyone could see that the Bombers did not have a bona fide back-up. We all saw the debacle in the 2024 Grey Cup.
And then in 2025, right after Collaros got injured I asked the question, "Collaros Out! Which Streveler Will We See?" The answer to that was all to familiar. We would eventually see a Streveler that still could not throw the ball; and now one that could not run (after his reconstructive surgery). Yet, somehow the Bombers were unable to bring themselves to play Wilson?!
Then, late in September of 2025, the Bombers pull out a win...even with this quarterback stat line:
That is the game that I wrote about when I said, "Reflections - Bombers Pull Off Unsustainable Win & Streveler Still Should Not Start The Next Game." And so here we go into 2026. The Bombers have Collaros and Wilson, Bryce Perkins, former Michigan State/Auburn star Payton Thorne, Elgersma, and Cole Anseeuw of the University of Manitoba. That makes 6 quarterbacks in camp. I am quite fine with that, make it an even dozen and lets find a quality number 2, and number 3 quarterback.
Out of all of those, you have to think that Elgersma is close to a sure thing. But then you have this:
Darrin is not one to casually throw around these types of comments. So, let us look at day 1 of rookie camp and see what I think, and hear what you think in the comments section -wherever you are reading this.
Elgersma
First there is his size; 6-5 and 240lbs. That is big for a quarterback in the CFL. Then he has a passport that is helpful in a ratio league - he is Canadian. Additionally, the Bombers are high on him; selecting him in the second round of last year's draft. And he is good on the camera https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1B9eFqz7y8/
Perkins
Perkins is also an interesting option for the Bombers. He also has some size at 6-2 and 215lbs. And what has he done? He was awarded both the Most Valuable Player and Offensive Player of the Year in the United Football League. Earning him those awards was his passing completion percentage of 69.0% for 1,342 yards, nine touchdowns, and two interceptions over seven games with the Michigan Panthers. In terms of rushing, he hit the ground for 269 yards and five scores. Some will point to him as a Super Bowl winner...but he was on the practice roster.
What he has that Elgersma does not have is personal history. "It turns out the 29-year-old Queen Creek, AZ product has some serious CFL and Winnipeg connections — his father Bruce played with O’Shea during their days together in Hamilton (1993-94) and considers both Chris Streveler and Terry Wilson, offseason workout partners, as friends." (source)
Final Thoughts
Maybe for this article I should have called this section "Final Questions?" We know O'Shea is loyal...even to a fault. Is that why there is some speculation that Elgersma will not see the field this year? Would it be that bad if coming out of camps the Bombers had Collaros, Elgersma, and Perkins (whichever order you want to list Elgersma/Perkins)? Is it possible for the Bombers to keep all three; or will Elgersma/Perkins not want to be number 3 and ask for a release? I certainly do not see any situation where Elgersma/Perkins go to the practice roster. I have to believe they would crack some team's top 2 quarterbacks.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this. Catch all my articles here.