As first reported by Justin Dunk of Sportsnet, the Bombers have signed quarterback Matt Nichols to a one-year contract extension. Nichols, 28, was set to become a free agent next month.
Nichols (6’2, 215) was acquired from Edmonton for a conditional seventh round pick this past September. The six-year CFL veteran went on to complete 149 of 248 passes for 1,757 yards, ten touchdowns, and seven interceptions in seven starts with Winnipeg, posting a 2-5 record.
The terms of September’s trade were conditional upon Nichols re-signing with the Bombers. As such, Winnipeg now owes Edmonton their fifth round selection in May’s CFL draft.
The combination of Drew Willy and Matt Nichols gives the Bombers arguably the most stability they’ve had at the quarterback position since 1990 when the team’s QB stable included Tom Burgess, Danny McManus, and Sammy Garza. For Bomber fans, this is a welcome change from the lack of depth that has long-since plagued the blue and gold at the quarterback position.
Of all the mistakes made by Blue Bomber management heading into the 2015 season — and there were plenty of them — the most egregious was the decision to rely upon Brian Brohm and Robert Marve to serve as the team’s back-up quarterbacks. With Marve now retired from professional football and Brohm not expected to be back with the club in 2016, Nichols will serve as the team’s primary back-up alongside returning second-year man Dominique Davis.
John Hodge, Blue Bomber Talk
Twitter: @BlueBomberTalk
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