Veteran kicker Sergio Castillo did not have to wait long to find a new CFL home, signing with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers an hour after he was released by the Edmonton Elks.
It marks the 32-year-old specialist’s third stint with the Bombers. He began his CFL career with the team in 2015 and returned via trade late in the 2021 season, appearing in the final three regular season games and playoffs. He went five-for-five in Winnipeg’s 33-25 overtime victory in the 108th Grey Cup and was credited by many as the catalyst for victory.
Castillo was scheduled to be the third-highest-paid kicker in the CFL next season before his sudden release by the Elks on Thursday. He converted on 37-of-44 field goals and 26-of-29 extra points with Edmonton in 2022.
The West Texas A&M product enjoyed early career stays with the Bombers, Ottawa Redblacks and Hamilton Tiger-Cats, before breaking out in 2019 with the B.C. Lion. He went 41-of-45 on field goals and amassed a total of 153 points on his way to a CFL all-star selection.
Castillo spent the 2020 season in the NFL with the New York Jets, appearing in six games and connecting on 8-of-13 field goals, including a 55-yarder. He also spent time with the XFL’s Houston Roughnecks before returning to the CFL.
Through a total of 59 career CFL regular season games, the native of La Joya, Tex. owns an 85.5 field goal percentage going 124-of-145 with a career-long of 57 yards.
