According to Blue Bombers GM Kyle Walters, there’s been no talk of extending Zach Collaros’ contract. The franchise quarterback signed a 3 year deal in October 2022 that runs until the end of the 2025 season. The $600,000 a year deal was worth $1.8 million in total.
That was just before Collaros led the Bombers to another great season and won his second consecutive MOP. Now 36, Collaros has been the key to the Bombers’ success, leading the team to five straight Grey Cup appearances and two championships in 2019 and 2021.
“We don’t do too many extensions before the season,” Walters said. “We’ll deal with all that stuff post-season, as we normally do.”
It’s clear the Blue Bombers are sticking to their script when it comes to the cap. For now fans will just have to wait until after the 2025 season to see if Collaros gets an extension or if this is his last ride with the team.
Collaros’ Stellar Career with the Blue Bombers
He’s 35, but Collaros is still delivering. In 2024 he started all 18 regular season games and both playoff games for Winnipeg. His 4,336 passing yards were second in the CFL and he completed 70.1% of his passes, 17 TDs to 15 INTs.
Even with all the on-field success, Collaros has admitted to thinking about retirement. But he hasn’t put a timeline on it.
“I can’t speak for Zach as to how long he wants to play,” Walters said. “I know he loves football, loves to compete and generally guys like that just want to keep playing until they can’t play anymore.”
For now, Collaros seems focused on one last big hurrah: winning a Grey Cup on home turf. Winnipeg will host the Grey Cup on November 16 and Collaros will be right in the middle of it.
Why No Extension Talks Yet?
General manager Kyle Walters says the Blue Bombers don’t do contract extensions during the season because of salary cap reasons.
“That’s generally the way we do… with the cap and the way things are, we don’t do too many extensions leading into the season,” Walters said. “We’ll deal with all that sort of stuff post season, as we normally do.”
This isn’t new for the Blue Bombers. In January 2022, Collaros became the CFL’s highest paid player after signing a one year extension for $550,000. Two months after winning the 2019 Grey Cup, he signed a two year deal that kept him in Winnipeg through 2021.
Collaros’ Future: Retirement or Another Run?
At 36 years old, Collaros is getting close to the end of his playing days. He hasn’t put a retirement date on it but he has started thinking about life after football.
“I can’t speak for Zach on how long he wants to keep playing,” Walters said. “I know he loves football, loves to compete, and generally guys like that just want to keep playing and playing until they’re told they can’t play anymore.”
Collaros is focused on 2025 for now, and leading the Blue Bombers to a Grey Cup on home turf. Winnipeg will host the Grey Cup on Sunday, November 16, 2025 so that’s extra motivation for the veteran QB.
What’s Next for Collaros and the Blue Bombers?
If Walters is right, Collaros’ future with the Blue Bombers won’t be decided until after 2025. For now the team is focused on the upcoming season and making another deep run.
Collaros’ legacy in Winnipeg is already locked in, but another Grey Cup would solidify him as one of the all-time greats. Whether this is the end or the start of something new remains to be seen.
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