Football season is here, with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers kicking off their three-day rookie camp on Wednesday at Princess Auto Stadium.
Nearly 60 first-year players and midfielders were on the field to make a good first impression, including much-touted Canadian midfielder Taylor Elgersma.
The Hec Creighton Award winner is one of six QBs in camp this year, with a stable that also includes returning starters Zach Collaros, Terry Wilson, Payton Thorne, Bryce Perkins and Cole Anseewu of the Manitoba Bisons.
The 24-year-old Elgersma is eager to get started with the Blue and Gold having just signed with the club three weeks ago.
“Very excited,” Elgersma said. “Obviously I’ve been to some (CFL) training camps in the QB apprenticeship program, but to be here for the first time and look around this place, it’s just beautiful, so what more could you ask for.”
The six-foot-five-inch Elgersma was the Bombers’ second-round pick in last year’s draft, but attended camp with the NFL’s Green Bay Packers in 2025.
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“I feel confident in my ability to throw the ball and my ability to read defenses,” he said. “I think I’ve shown that and it’s all about getting better day by day.
“The best way to attack training camp is to take it day by day, right? Like, what can I learn from today to be better tomorrow, what can I learn from tomorrow to be better the next day. If you bring that mindset to it, then you’re probably going to be successful.
“So that’s where my mind is trying to stay at it. I think you get a lot of things thrown at you in training camp, new playbook, new guys, new receivers. So the best thing you can do is just keep your head down and work.”
He will look to win the backup job behind Collaros. Now 37 years old, Collaros returns for his seventh season in Winnipeg.
Collaros praised new offensive coordinator Tommy Condell, calling him a master communicator and a great teacher. Collaros doesn’t have much of an opinion on the new playoff format announced recently because he said he trusts the league’s decision makers.
Bombers QB1 is more focused on the new rule changes and more specifically on the new 35 second play clock. He believes this will improve the flow of the game, but it is also something they will have to work on in camp ahead of their first game.
“It’s going to be something you have to understand,” Collaros said. “I’ve never sat there and held a stopwatch during a match and timed it. I imagine it’s about 40 seconds, but I think 35 would make it interesting.
“I think a lot of us come from the south and you have a moving clock whether you’re in the NFL, NCAA or whatever. I think it will become second nature after a few reps.”
Rookie camp continues Thursday at 10:00 a.m. at Princess Auto Stadium.
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