The Winnipeg Blue Bombers flipped a coin when deciding between Zach Collaros and Matt Nichols.
Well, not exactly but it was as close to a 50-50 decision as you can get according to head coach Mike O’Shea. The Bombers chose to re-sign Collaros after he was acquired at the CFL trade deadline in October and led Winnipeg to its first Grey Cup since 1990.
“It’s never one factor but as we put a lot of discussion in and went around the room and talked about going forward, this was the decision we arrived at. There are a lot of things that Matt and Zach share as professional quarterbacks in terms of their leadership, their work ethic, their desire to win, their competitive nature,” O’Shea told Postmedia reporter Ted Wyman.
“There were a few things that made the difference and made it land in Zach’s favour. We made the decision to go with Zach and we will move forward and feel good about that. Pro sport being what it is, there’s always somebody that’s disappointed.”
Both pivots were pending free agents. After Collaros signed on the dotted line, Winnipeg did Nichols a favour by releasing him prior to the official opening of free agency in February. Nichols visited Toronto in January for a physical and meetings with Argos coaches and personnel staff, which led to a three-year contract in The Six.
“Every time you’re dealing with a person who you like and care about and who has meant so much to his teammates and the team and to the coaching staff and my family personally, of course, those conversations are tough,” O’Shea said.
“It was short and quiet, but professional.”
