Earlier this year there was some confusion over who the Bombers actually were due to their inconsistent play.
Consistent Issues
1) On July 5th, before the Bombers 4th game, and as they were sitting in 4th place in the West I wrote the following, "Some people do not like talking about must win games until losing means that a team's season is done. But from where I sit, if the Bombers do not win this game on Sunday then their season is done. Not because it is impossible for a team to come back from a 1-3 start to go deep in the playoffs. Rather, because a 1-3 start for the Bombers means that the sun has set on this group. It may be the worst kept secret in the CFL that the Bombers are making one last push for a Grey Cup win with the nucleus of this team."
2) And then on August 8th I wrote this, Truth Bombs: At 4-4 The Bombers Are In Trouble! "The Playoffs Are A Different Animal...But
Normally, my take on it is this, 'Just make it to the playoffs and anything can happen.' And while that seems to be true, it does not seem to be true for the Bombers as of recently.
These Blue Bombers are not a team that is going to sneak in the back door of the playoffs and then magically surprise and upset teams. If you think I am wrong, what evidence do you have, what gives you hope that the Bombers can keep playing this way, get into the playoffs and then really turn it on?
It is not going to happen! Why? Because of how the Bombers got to their record so far."
3) After the Bombers dropped their home opener, and long before anyone else was seeing the smoke, I wrote this, "I get it, it is only game 2 and to say that the sky is falling is a bit premature. However, there are a few trends that simply cannot continue.
First, the Bombers' defence has to be way better. It is the CFL and teams will continue to throw deep balls. However, an offence simply cannot be able to continually identify pre-snap where the one-on-one coverage is. It is very hard to get pressure on the quarterback that way and you will get burnt down field.
Second, the Bombers need to run the ball more! Quite frankly, after last year I do not have any time for excuses or explanations when the Bombers do not run the ball at least 15 times.
Third, if the Bombers offence continues to put up a ton of yards, but also turn the ball over that is problematic. I would rather have an efficient Bombers' offence that puts up less yards...but protects the football.
Should two of these three areas of concern continue, then I believe the Bombers are in a world of hurt. Unfortunately, we are going to have to wait another week to see what, if anything changes, as the Bombers are on a bye week this week."
What We Saw vs Toronto
Interceptions
The Bombers came out to a roaring start putting up 2 points in the first half! But like so many games this this year the Bombers were unable to sustain momentum. In large part that has to do with Winnipeg continuing to throw interceptions. Sure, Toronto's quarterback Chad Kelly also throws a ton of interceptions, but he also runs a quick strike offence - something Winnipeg does not have.
On the CJOB post game show, Dru Brown said one of those interceptions was a bad read by him and the other was a badly thrown ball.
Not Enough Running
Whereas Toronto has a quick strike offence, Winnipeg does not need one. They just need to feed Brady Oliveira more. I get it, for those just looking at Brady's stats they will not understand what I am saying. This year Oliveira has become the only Canadian to rush for 1,000 yards in 5 consecutive years. But Winnipeg is not running the ball when they should. That is in part what led to Collaros' injury in the Banjo Bowl. And against Toronto on Friday night, late into the game being second down and 4 yards to go...Winnipeg calls a passing play. That would lead to Brown being sacked and Winnipeg punting the ball away instead of getting a first down, draining the clock and kicking a walk off field goal.
So Who Are The 2026 Bombers?
They are a 0.500 team that risks not hitting double digit wins for the first time in 11 years.
They are a team that does not understands their strengths and therefore do not play to them.
They are a team that thought they upgraded their offensive coordinator...but hired someone who has a pass bias.
They are a team that is good at run blocking, but terrible at pass blocking...and still call passing plays when the game is on the line.
They are a team that shows some flashes of brilliance, and then look like they are slipping on banana peels the next moment.
Final Thoughts
With the Bombers' loss on Friday night, a BC win on Friday night, and a Calgary win on Saturday, Winnipeg still could finish the regular season anywhere from 2nd to 5th place. That means that they could host a playoff game, be 3rd in the West after the regular season, be 4th after the regular season and cross over...of be 5th place and miss the playoffs.
I think the only way the Bombers have any success in the post season is if they somehow could come in 2nd in the West and host a playoff game (the Western Semi-Final). I simply cannot see Winnipeg going on the road and beating Saskatchewan or BC in a Wester Semi-Final, and then be competitive in the Western Final.
The other possible route for Winnipeg to have success in the post-season is is crossing over. I know, no team has crossed over and won a game. But that does not mean that it cannot happen. If Winnipeg were to cross over they would likely play Toronto in the Eastern Semi-Finals, and if they won that game go to Montreal for the Eastern Final.
Sure, the Bombers just lost to Toronto on Friday night, but with Toronto's lack of a run game and Kelly's propensity to throw interceptions...Toronto is very beatable.
All in all, I do not see the Bombers being competitive in the playoffs (and they should make the playoffs). Winnipeg is going to need to get serious in the off-season and do so real soul searching.
The nucleolus of the team is not good enough.
The quarterback situation is problematic even if Zach does not retire. Dru Brown is not consistent enough - it is a hard truth but one that the Bombers need to admit. Elgersma may not be ready by 2027. The Bombers are going to need to find a better starting quarterback in 2027, because as they said on the CJOB post game show, Zach is the 7th best quarterback in the league, and Brown is the 10th best. That is not going to cut it.
Winnipeg will also need to seriously upgrade their offensive line so that they can actually pass block and protect their quarterback. With this offensive line, I would not want to put Elgersma in as he has very little CFL experience. It would be like Michael Reilly for BC when he was running for his life.
What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this. Catch all my articles here.