Winnipeg Blue Bombers list Zach Collaros as preseason starter against Roughriders

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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have listed Zach Collaros as their starting quarterback against the Saskatchewan Roughriders for Saturday’s preseason game in Saskatoon.

The veteran quarterback completed 72.6 percent of his passes for 3,048 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 13 regular-season games in 2025, posting a 6-7 record as a starter. He saw action in both of last year’s preseason games, both of which were also against Saskatchewan.

Taylor Elgersma has been list as the backup quarterback, followed by Terry Wilson and Bryce Perkins.

Elgersma, a second-round pick in last year’s CFL draft, signed with the team in April after stints with the Green Bay Packers and Birmingham Stallions. The native of London, Ont. won the Hec Crighton Trophy at Wilfrid Laurier University in 2024, which is given annually to the top player in U Sports football.

Wilson has spent the last two seasons with the Blue Bombers, primarily as the third-string quarterback. He has completed 12-of-22 pass attempts for 83 yards and one interception over 36 career regular-season games, making zero starts.

Perkins is a CFL rookie with extensive experience in other professional leagues. The 29-year-old was named the UFL’s Most Valuable Player in 2025 as a member of the Michigan Panthers and won Super Bowl LVI as a backup with the Los Angeles Rams.

Payton Thorne, a rookie quarterback who signed with the team in December after making 48 collegiate starts at Michigan State and Auburn, left the Blue Bombers on Thursday. The six-foot-two, 210-pound passer was placed on Winnipeg’s suspended list and the team will hold his exclusive CFL rights so long as he’s there.

When asked this week, head coach Mike O’Shea declined to provide any details on how long each of the team’s quarterbacks will play on Saturday.

The Blue Bombers are dressing many of their veteran players for Saturday’s preseason game, including running back Brady Oliveira, receivers Tim White and Tommy Nield, offensive linemen Stanley Bryant, Gabe Wallace, Tui Eli, Patrick Neufeld, and Jarell Broxton, defensive linemen Willie Jefferson and Cameron Lawson, linebackers Tony Jones and Kyrie Wilson, and defensive backs Deatrick Nichols, Redha Kramdi, Evan Holm, and Michael Griffin II.

Veteran players who will not dress include receivers Ontaria Wilson and Nic Demski, defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, defensive backs Jonathan Moxey and Trey Vaval, kicker Sergio Castillo, and punter Jamieson Sheahan.

Saturday’s preseason game will be played at 7:00 p.m. EDT at Griffiths Stadium in Saskatoon. The Roughriders are treating the game like a “mini-Grey Cup” and hoping for a crowd of at least 10,000.

Winnipeg’s full depth chart can be found below.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers opened training camp on May 10. Winnipeg will play its first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, May 23 and second preseason game against the B.C. Lions on Friday, May 29. Final roster cuts are due on Saturday, May 30, after which the team will play its first regular-season game against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, June 5.

Winnipeg recently selected Wake Forest defensive lineman Nuer Gatkuoth with their first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, adding to the club’s pass rush. The team’s other major offseason additions include receiver Tim White, offensive lineman Jarell Broxton, and defensive lineman Jake Ceresna.

In 2025, the Blue Bombers finished fourth in the West Division standings with a 10-8 record, qualifying for the playoffs as the crossover team before losing the East Semi-Final to the Montreal Alouettes.