Having dropped three in a row, many people are wondering what is wrong with the Bombers. Is it the QB? How about the offensive line? Maybe it is the fact that Winnipeg has a new offensive coordinator, and new defensive coordinator. While all of those may be contributing factors; I believe that they are not the real issue but rather symptoms of the real issue.

The real issue; the Bombers do not have an identity in 2025. Look, the culture has not changed. Head Coach Mike O’Shea still demands the same culture. But when teams struggle, and the Bombers are struggling, they need something to fall back on…and that is identity. Here is a quote that I think is particularly applicable to the Bombers right now, “If we need different results, are we going to get them by doing what we have always done, but just working harder?”- John Kotter & Holger Rathgeber. That’s Not How We do it Here: About How Organizations Rise & Fall

The answer to that question is, “No.” However, what may be the biggest issue for the Bombers is that they do not understand that, at least not by what they are saying. They are all talking about working harder.

“We’re not playing good enough right now,” said Streveler. “We’ve got to find a way to get better and whatever this week as a team we’ve got to do that and as individuals we’ve got to look in the mirror and figure out why we’re not playing our best football and put in a little extra work to get better. – source

Here is another quote that fits the Bombers right now, “It ain’t what you know for certain that gets you in trouble, it’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so,” (attributed to Mark Twain). Look, Brady Oliveira has forgotten more about football than I will ever know. So when it comes to football I will gladly defer to him. But a little known fact about myself (and I only mention this for context) is that I hold a Masters Degree in Leadership & Management. I have thoroughly studied it, and graduated with honors. So I believe I can have some merit to talk about getting results in organizations.

Asked about potential roster changes given the recent results, O’Shea won’t be rushing to judgement.

“We’re going to look at this game and figure out exactly why we lost Play 1, why we lost Play 2 — whatever those plays are,” he said. “We’re going to look at the exact reason why you lose plays and why you win or lose games. It’s the same process we’ve used since 2014.

“So, I don’t think there’s a reason to change it. We’re going to stick to that process, get some answers and then with information you make all sorts of decisions.” – source

I actually have no problem with that as long as the answers and decisions comes down to the realization that they do not have an identity right now, and that they find one. Part of the Bombers’ identity used to be ‘bully ball’, run Brady and take a lot of time off the clock while tiring the opponent’s defense. That is not their identity right now. Another part of their identity used to be bend but don’t break defense. That is currently not their identity either. The Bombers are getting burnt on second down conversion after second down conversion…even when it is second and over 10 yards to go! And one more part of the Bombers’ identity used to be offensive explosion plays of their own. Also not part of their identity right now.

I know that I am hammering on this point of lacking an identity because it is so clear to me. If you do not agree with me yet, let me keep trying. Where is Oliveira? 5th spot after 6 games; are you kidding me? And that is considering that Collaros was suspended one game and did not play the full amount of two other games. If the Bombers had an identity in 2025 Oliveira would be at the top of this list.

Where are Winnipeg’s receivers? And if you want to blame the lack of yards by receivers on Collaros, then look above again and tell me why Oliveira does not have more rushing yards.

And the bend but don’t break defense is harder to find than a polar bear in a snow storm.

If you think I have missed the mark, feel free to watch the condensed version of the game and tell me this is a team playing like they have an identity.

Maybe with the loss of Ford on defense, and Lawler as a receiver that is not going to be their identify anymore. Fine. But if that is the case then they better find their new identity in a hurry! I would argue that the Bombers could have the same identity that they once had, but they are just not convinced of it. As a result, changing the quarterback, vastly changing the offensive line, or putting one of the coaches in front of the firing squad will not solve the issue.

What did you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this.

Catch all my articles here.