There’s certainly been no lack of drama surrounding the Winnipeg Blue Bombers the past few weeks.
First they lost starting quarterback Matt Nichols to a shoulder injury, then running back Andrew Harris was suspended for a positive drug test, and now they’ve released one of their highest paid receivers in Chris Matthews.
The team announced the move Wednesday.
Matthews, from Long Beach, Calif., was signed by the Bombers to a three-year contract in May.
The 29-year-old had a previous stint with the team in 2012 and 2013.
It’s almost deja vu for Bombers fans after last year’s release of another big free agent signing in receiver Adarius Bowman.
Being a four-year veteran, Matthews contract would have become guaranteed for the rest of the season by later in the week, but money wasn’t the main deciding factor according to head coach Mike O’Shea.
“It’s never, ever, one reason,” O’Shea said. “But Darvin Adams is coming back, so. And we certainly like the play of Kenny Lawler. It was going to be a situation where he was going to be off the roster, and I don’t know if it’s really fair to put a guy in that position.”
WATCH: Raw Mike O’Shea Media Briefing – Aug. 28
Matthews has battled injuries this season and was notably involved in a July stabbing at a downtown restaurant. He was also made a healthy scratch earlier in the season. Matthews appeared in just six games where he made only 12 catches for 180 yards with one touchdown.
Soon after his release Matthews wished his former teammates good luck on twitter.
“Everything happens for a reason,” Matthews tweeted. “Hard start for me back in the CFL or maybe not. I do have a ring thanks to Calgary. In due time I will be back and ready to give my everything to the next team that gives me the opportunity to continue my work on and off the field.”
In a tribute to his now ex-teammate, Willie Jefferson wore Matthews’ old number 13 in practice on Wednesday.
“Hearing the news that Chris was gone and stuff like that was kinda tough on everybody,” Jefferson said. “Gonna miss his energy on the sideline, his words of encouragement in the locker room.”
But Jefferson also understands that football is a business.
“You see this week in and week out, year in and year out,” Jefferson said. “Big guys come in at the beginning of the season – contract things tend to go on and stuff like that. You got to make moves to better your organization.”
WATCH: Blue Bombers Chris Matthews Interview
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