WINNIPEG – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have re-signed offensive lineman Stanley Bryant to a two-year contract. Bryant was set to become a free agent in February.
“I didn’t want to look anywhere else.” Bryant said by phone from Raleigh, NC.
“I thought about it, and I was like, no there’s no other place I’d rather be than Winnipeg.”
He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Lineman this past season after helping the Bombers lead the league in rushing while also allowing the least number of quarterback pressures.
“Since my time here in Winnipeg, each year the O-line group has improved each year.” Bryant said. “That’s always a positive. The sky is the limit for us as long as we continue to stay healthy, work together and just be the offensive line group we know we can be.”
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With Jermarcus Hardrick and Patrick Neufeld already signing new deals this off-season it leaves Travis Bond as the the only unsigned member of last year’s starting offensive line.
“Stanley is an exceptional talent on our offensive line,” said Blue Bombers General Manager Kyle Walters in a statement. “He is such a strong anchor for an already very solid group.”
“He elevated his game a step further in 2017 and we’re excited to see even more from him moving forward.”
Bryant will be entering his fourth season with the Bombers. The three-time CFL All-Star has started 120 games during his eight-year career. He won a Grey Cup as a member of the Calgary Stampeders in 2014.
Bryant credited quarterback Matt Nichols and his daughter as one of the reasons he came back.
“He said little slick things during Grey Cup week,” Bryant said. “Talking about Elliot would be upset if I didn’t come back to protect her dad. So I guess that kinda played a little part in me deciding to come back.”
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The American suited up every week at left tackle in 2017, extending his playing streak to 65 straight games. Bryant, along with the rest of Winnipeg’s offensive line, helped running back Andrew Harris register a league-leading 1,035 yards.
“I want to leave a legacy in Winnipeg.” he said. “I feel like we have the team, we have the parts and the pieces to compete for a Grey Cup, get to a Grey Cup and win a Grey Cup. So this is the place for me that I feel is best for me to win a Grey Cup right now in my career.”
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