The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed American receiver Kenny Lawler to a one-year extension.
Lawler was named the Bombers’ top rookie in 2019 after leading the club with 637 receiving yards on 41 receptions. He also scored four touchdowns.
Lawler added eight receptions for 126 yards in three playoff games as the Bombers won the Grey Cup.
He earned a raise from general manager Kyle Walters to avoid free agency after making $55,000 per season on his rookie contract.
“I wasn’t going to take a drastic pay cut,” Lawler said. “Because, one, I was already living on $55,000 rookie contract, and I wanted to see that number grow substantially because, one, I know the player that I am.
“I know that I can produce. I did show that I could produce. My best days are ahead of me, and I want someone to believe in that, and believe in what I can do on the field. And the deal that they gave me shows that.”
Lawler led the Bombers in receiving yards as a rookie, and he has even loftier goals for his sophomore season.
“I see myself being an all-star,” said Lawler. “I see myself being a thousand yard receiver. I see myself being one of the top three guys.
“That’s what I know I’m capable of. I’ve showed it. And man, I put it all on myself to really just put it all on me. Put all my chips on myself, bet on myself.”
B.C. cut Lawler in training camp in 2018, opening the door for Winnipeg to sign the California Golden Bears product to their practice roster later that same season.
Lawler was a seventh-round NFL draft pick of Seattle in 2016.
–With files from The Canadian Press