The Winnipeg Blue Bombers are coming into the 2026 offseason with new determination after a tough 2025 season. Founded in 1930, the Bombers boast a rich history. They have won 12 Grey Cup championships, the most recent in 2019 and 2021 with quarterback Zach Collaros in charge. The team has been a regular contender in recent years, making five straight Grey Cup appearances from 2019 to 2024. However, 2025 was frustrating for them because injuries and inconsistent play kept them out of the playoff finals.
The Blue Bombers are getting ready for training camp in May 2026, and everyone is watching their quarterback room, which is a mix of experienced veterans, up-and-coming stars, and intriguing new players. The group could get more players before free agency starts in February and the CFL Draft in May, but here’s a closer look at how things are right now and what it means for the team’s chances of winning the championship.
Zach Collaros: A Veteran Anchor
Zach Collaros, the 37-year-old gunslinger who has been the face of the franchise since he joined in 2019, is at the centre of the Bombers’ quarterback room. Collaros, who went to the University of Cincinnati, is in the last year of his contract. He has a base salary of $400,000 and off-season bonuses that show how valuable he is to the team. Collaros has said he will return in 2026, despite a “frustrating” 2025 season that was full of injuries and poor team performance. He wants to add to his impressive legacy.
Collaros has the third most career passing yards in Bombers history and a wonderful 55-22 record as a starter (71.4% of the time he wins). Winnipeg has done well thanks to his leadership and accurate passing, but because of his age, the team is wisely adding depth to be ready for anything. During training camp, Collaros will probably get most of the first-team reps while also helping the younger quarterbacks. This will set the tone for a successful year.
The Supporting Cast: Versatility and Depth
The Bombers have put together a diverse group of quarterbacks behind Collaros, each with their set of skills and experience. Based on the team’s current roster, there are six players in the QB room.
Terry Wilson (6’2″, 200 pounds, New Mexico) Wilson has been a reliable backup at 27 years old, dressing for all 36 regular-season games over the past two years. He threw 12 of 22 passes for 79 yards and became the No. 2 QB late in 2025. He knows the system well, so he can help with camp competitions.
Chris Streveler (6’2″, 222 pounds, South Dakota) Streveler is a fan favourite because he is tough and can be a dual-threat. He has a 4-1 record in CFL starts, but he has had knee problems for two years in a row. Given that Streveler is now a free agent, some believe his career may be over. But his situation could change by February, and if he re-signs, his experience (including time with the Arizona Cardinals in the NFL) and leadership will make the room stronger. Streveler’s ability to move around could be useful in camp drills that focus on short-yardage packages.
Chase Artopoeus (6’1″, 206 pounds, Chattanooga) Artopoeus, a rookie who played in five games in 2025 without throwing a pass, had outstanding numbers at Tennessee-Chattanooga in college. He is a developmental prospect who could ask for more reps in camp, where he will work on his accuracy and decision-making.
Bryce Perkins (6’2″, 215 pounds, Virginia) Perkins signed with the Bombers in late 2025 after a great career that included a Super Bowl LVI ring with the Los Angeles Rams (as a backup) and UFL MVP honours with the Michigan Panthers, where he was also named Offensive Player of the Year. The Virginia native was one of the most exciting additions. He could be a backup at 29 because he is athletic and has worked in the pros before. Perkins has said he is excited to join Winnipeg because of the team’s winning culture. His exceptional running ability and strong arm will make him a focal point at training camp.
Payton Thorne (6’2″, 207 pounds, Auburn) The Blue Bombers just signed him on December 23, 2025. Thorne was let go from the Cincinnati Bengals’ training camp as an undrafted free agent. He has SEC experience from Auburn, where he started two seasons and threw for more than 4,400 yards and 37 touchdowns. His dual-threat profile (almost 800 rushing yards in college) fits the CFL’s wide-open style, and at 23, he’s a viable long-term investment. The camp will give him a chance to learn the rules of Canadian football and try out for a spot on the practice squad.
Draft picks, and players on the horizon.
The Bombers aren’t done signing players yet. Taylor Elgersma, a Canadian quarterback who was picked in the second round of the 2025 CFL Draft from Wilfrid Laurier, is looking into NFL opportunities until January 2026. The 6’5″, 227-pound prospect did well in preseason games with the Green Bay Packers and caught the attention of the New York Giants and San Francisco 49ers. If he doesn’t get a solid offer from the NFL, he could join the Bombers for camp, which would help the national ratio and let him learn from Collaros.
During the 2025 NCAA season, Winnipeg added many quarterbacks to their 45-player negotiation list. Rocco Becht (Iowa State), who was added in November 2025 and had 2,565 passing yards and 16 touchdowns, and Diego Pavia (Vanderbilt), who is known for being a dual-threat player, are two of the best. If they don’t get NFL deals, Keali’i Ah Yat (Montana) and Haynes King (Georgia Tech, the 2024 ACC Offensive Player of the Year) could be signed and invited to camp. The Bombers are in a favourable position to meet future needs, especially after Collaros, because of this depth on the neg list.
Training camp outlook
The Bombers are working on rebuilding their chemistry and depth after problems in 2025, which some say started at training camp. Fans are excited about the possibility of a return to the Grey Cup, with the quarterback’s room at the centre of it all. Many people think the Bombers should hire new quarterbacks and train them. Winnipeg has the chance to do that.