It is hard to criticize a team that has been to 5 straight Grey Cups…unless they lost the last 3 of them.

Sure, some Bomber fans will say, I bet any other team’s fans would love to have had their team in the last 5 Grey Cups. But let me ask you this; who’s fans do you think are more excited, Winnipeg’s or Toronto’s? Toronto was in the Grey Cup in 2022, and won. Missed the game in 2023. But was in it again in 2024 and won.

And while continuity is important on teams, Bomber fans may be wondering where is the wow factor that needs to join this team.

This year Winnipeg will host the Grey Cup and so you can be sure that the Bombers would like to be in that game, and actually win it. But is bringing back many of the same players the answer? They had the skill and the fire power to get to the Grey Cup; but what held them back the last 3 years from winning it?

The Bombers have been busy in this new year. Evan Holm, Kyrie Wilson, Shayne Gauthier, Willie Jefferson, Jamal Parker, Pat Neufeld, and Sergio Castillo all signed one year contract extensions.

The Bombers also brought in receiver Dillon Mitchell, after he was released by the Elks. “Mitchell, 27, set career highs last year with the Elks, finishing with 58 receptions for 727 yards and four touchdowns in 18 games.” – source

While those are not numbers that jump off the page, the Bombers need to fill the spot left vacant by Ontaria Wilson signing with the Jets – not Winnipeg but New York. However, one thing Mitchel brings to the table that has been missing and was noticeably absent last year was a kick return game. In kickoff returns he was actually ranked 6th in the CFL last year.

Back in December, the Bombers also added 3 players – though we will see if they stick. Walker an American offensive lineman; Kornelson a national defensive lineman, and Hall an American receiver. It should be noted that the Bombers were high on Hall as he was a late release from their 2024 training camp.

That leaves the Bombers with about 20 pending free agents: quarterback Chris Streveler, running backs Johnny Augustine and Bailey Feltmate, receivers Kenny Lawler, Dalton Schoen and Lucky Whitehead, offensive linemen Liam Dobson and Eric Lofton, defensive lineman Miles Fox, TyJuan Garbutt, Celestin Haba and Jake Thomas, linebackers Adam Bighill and Brian Cole, defensive backs Brandon Alexander, Tyrell Ford, Noah Hallett, Evan Holm and Nick Taylor and long-snapper Mike Benson.

I could not imagine a scenario where Winnipeg signs all these guys, nor a scenario where they would even want to. I am sure the Bombers will be looking for some upgrades, and some players will be looking to get bigger pay cheques.

For his part, Kyle Walters says that the Bombers are going to be more active in free agency and expects Ford will only be looking at NFL opportunities. If nothing comes of that, it will be interesting to see if Ford wants to return to the Bombers and if the Bombers have the money/roster space for him.

While the Bombers are still looking to fill their offensive coordinator position, they did reach out to the Argos to get permission to speak to their quarterback coach; Mike Miller. Which could be wildly hilarious if the Bombers ended up with coaches with the same name; Mike Miller.

The Bombers certainly have created a culture that players want to come to, just ask Evan Holm, ““It’s the community, it’s the coaches and I like the locker room. It would have taken a lot more for me to go somewhere else.” So attracting players will not be a challenge.

The real challenge will be ending the year with not only being in the Grey Cup, but actually winning it.

Maybe you agree. Maybe you disagree.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this!

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