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News June 3, 2026

48-Hour Primer | Game 1: Blue Bombers at Stampeders

Tim White -- one of the Blue Bombers Fab Free Agent Five -- will make his official debut for the club Friday in Calgary; photos by Cameron Bartlett

@EdTaitWFC

They are the Winnipeg Blue Bombers Fab Free Agent Five and — if the next seven months unfold as everyone in Bomberland hopes and prays it will — they should play leading roles in pushing the club into the winner’s circle again.

Now, apologies for those who are already familiar to the handful of veteran Canadian Football League talents, but for those just popping in for the start of the 2026 season this Friday in Calgary against the Stampeders, it would seem some introductions are in order.

And so, we give you the Blue Bombers Fab Free Agent Five with a little background on each player, some best-case scenarios and a quote or two after bluebombers.com visited with the five new faces on Wednesday…

RECEIVER TIM WHITE

The 411 on White: Starred in his five years in Hamilton with 83 games to his name, all starts, and four consecutive 1,000-yard seasons including 84 receptions for 1,016 yards and seven TDs last year… Three-time CFL All Star and the Ticats Most Outstanding player in 2022-23.

Best-case scenario: Massive numbers, for starters. He’s been one of the stars of training camp and comes every bit as advertised. White gives the attack another versatile and vertical threat and, coupled with Nic Demski and Pokey Wilson, could give the attack three 1K receivers.

White in his words: “I’m extremely excited. There’s definitely been a lot of emotions leading up to this week. I’m excited to see all these guys play, to be out there with them and just be that spark to get everyone going.”

CORNERBACK JONATHAN MOXEY

The 411 on Moxey: Veteran versatile defensive back who was signed in February… Spent the last two years in Hamilton after his first four years in the CFL were spent in Calgary… Played in all 18 games for the Ticats last year… Former West Division All-Star in 2022.

Best-case scenario: The interior of the Blue Bombers secondary is set with Evan Holm, Deatrick Nichols, Redha Kramdi, Jaiden Woodbey and Michael Griffin II and what Moxey brings is another veteran and durable presence to a pass defence that started six different corners in 2025.

Moxey in his words: “I just want to bring a tenacity. I want to bring a veteran presence to the secondary. Consistency, versatility… a lot of things. But most importantly I just want to be here, be in the moment, be where my feet are, play one play at a time and help this defence become a better unit.

“There’s a lot of veterans on this team, guys who have been here before on deep playoff runs, Grey Cup champions here. I feel like I’m a champion as well from my college days and I’m looking at being part of an organization that knows how to get it done from the top down.”

DEFENSIVE LINEMAN JAKE CERESNA

The 411 on Ceresna: A two-time CFL All-Star with Toronto and twice named Edmonton’s top defensive player… Can play tackle or end and is one of those high-motor guys whose last snap in a game looks exactly like his first… Coming off a knee injury that sidelined him last Labour Day… Averaged 10 sacks a year in the three seasons before that.

Best-case scenario: Ceresna returns to being in beast mode, where he wrecks offensive gameplans from the inside or out… His versatility is perfect in Jordan Younger’s defence where that is paramount… If he gets back to that, he’s again in the CFL All-Star conversation.

Ceresna in his words: “I came from a blue-collar family. Work hard. And I just pride myself in being a blue-collar guy and always running to the ball and always doing the extra work. I never want to lose because someone outworked me. If they’re going to beat me, it’s because they’ve got more talent than me.”

OFFENSIVE TACKLE JARELL BROXTON

The 411 on Broxton: One of the jewels of the Blue Bombers free agent haul this winter… A CFL All-Star last year in B.C. who will move from left tackle to right tackle in Winnipeg, opposite future hall of famer Stanley Bryant… Was named the Lions’ top O-lineman in each of the last three seasons.

Best-case scenario: Expected to solidify the right side of the O-line and be a dominant force. If Bryant ever retires — and it feels like that’s been wondered about for the last five years — he would likely move back to the left side. In the meantime, he’s a road grader as a run blocker and a load for ends to get around in pass protection. Signing O-linemen doesn’t always move the needle in fan circles, but landing Broxton was mammoth.

Broxton when asked what would be a good Blue Bomber debut: “No pressures. No sacks. 100 (yards) on the ground and 400 in the air. And a win. No order, as long as that happens. You’ve got to hold yourself to a high standard.

“It’s been a welcoming organization here, a welcoming team. Everybody knows where I came from — Winnipeg-B.C., that rivalry is kinda crazy. But it was open arms when I signed here and being around the guys here, it’s family, so I’m loving it.”

RECEIVER TOMMY NIELD

The 411 on Nield: Big Canadian target at 6-3, 212 pounds who posted career numbers in just 13 games in Saskatchewan last year with 42 catches for 535 yards and five TDs while earning the nickname ‘Touchdown Tommy’ for his game-winning score late in the West Final… He’s just 27 and already has three Grey Cup rings, including last year with the Roughriders and in ’22 and ’24 with Toronto.

Best-cast scenario: The Blue Bombers believe he’s just scratching the surface of his potential and his numbers could grow further. Has caught everything in camp and quickly developed a rapport with Zach Collaros. Put him in a receiving corps with White, Demski and Wilson and he could put up some sneaky-good stats with all the attention that trio will draw.

Nield in his own words: “It’s been a smooth transition. I feel like I’ve fit in well and this is such a good team environment and locker room. I’m just so excited to get out there with these guys on game day.

“I just want to bring consistency and a high compete level for every play I’m out there. I want to play fast and free and let the game come to me. I know that through my preparation I’m going to get opportunities and when they do come my way, I’ll be ready.”

OUCH REPORT: The Blue Bombers held a closed practice on Wednesday. Here is today’s injury report and, of note, centre Tui Elli was limited. If he can’t go, expect Tyler Elsbury to step in as he handled a ton of that work on Tuesday.

THE COACH SAYS: Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea’s press conference on Wednesday: