The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed American offensive lineman Jermarcus Hardrick to a one-year extension for the 2021 season.
Hardrick was scheduled to be a free agent in February.
The six-foot-five, 320-pound Hardrick will be entering his seventh CFL season in 2021, and fifth with Winnipeg. He has played in 67 games since joining the Bombers prior to the 2016 season, including starting all 18 games and three playoff games, including the Grey Cup victory, at right tackle in 2019.
Hardrick is a mainstay on an offensive lineman that blocked for the league’s leading rusher last season, Andrew Harris. All of his games dressed (67) with Winnipeg since signing with the franchise have been starts.
The 30-year-old has had brief stints with the NFL, AFL, B.C. Lions, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. Winnipeg became his long-awaited professional home. He was named a West Division all-star in 2017 and been a consistent performer on an offensive line that has been among the CFL’s best in recent years.
The University of Nebraska product started jumping into the stands at IG Field following touchdowns in 2016, a celebration that has been coined the ‘Hardrick Hop.’ It’s easy to see why Hardrick has become a fan favourite in Winnipeg given how much fun he likes to have on the field.
Given his popularity, the news of Hardrick’s extension is sure to have fans in Winnipeg hopping with joy.
