After going south of the border to chase potential opportunities in the pros, former Wilfrid Laurier University (WLU) quarterback (QB) Taylor Elgersma has returned home, and signed with the Canadian Football League’s (CFL) Winnipeg Blue Bombers. The signing came after a year-long journey in the United States, including several stints in the National Football League (NFL), most notably with the Green Bay Packers. In a news conference on Friday, Elgersma spoke about his desire to start a new chapter on home turf. “It was time for me to come home, it was time for me to start this journey here and to start this process of learning to be in this organization,” Elgersma said. In 2024, the former Golden Hawk won the Hec Crighton Trophy, the Canadian equivalent to Heisman Trophy, during his final season with the Laurier. Over his four years at the school, Elgersma passed for 10,230 yards with 78 touchdowns and 33 interceptions and ran for 605 yards and 18 touchdowns. The London, Ont. native was selected by the Blue Bombers with the 18th overall pick in the second round of the 2025 CFL Draft. “I got drafted by this team last year and I was super ecstatic about getting drafted in the CFL,” Elgersma said. “I didn’t want to show up on the last day before [rookie and training] camp and not be ready to roll. I wanted to give myself time to get adjusted back and learn the system and get to meet some people and get into the city.” Elgersma is one of several Canadian quarterbacks who are continuing to usher in a new era of passers bred from coast to coast, such Nathan Rourke with the B.C. Lions, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats’ Tre Ford, and potentially Kurtis Rourke, who is currently in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers. The new Blue Bomber did not hide his excitement about the thought of being part of a group with his idols. “To answer what it would mean to be a starting Canadian quarterback? It would mean everything,” Elgersma said. “To potentially have a starting role in the CFL one day would be a dream come true. Having a Canadian at the helm, I think it brings a lot of excitement to a fanbase … it brings a lot of excitement to the league.” The 24-year-old will be at training camp starting in May, battling it out with other quarterbacks to solidify his place on the depth chart. Blue Bombers starting QB Zach Collaros is entering the final year of his contract with Winnipeg, with returnee Terry Wilson still in the mix. On top of this, Winnipeg also signed former United Football League MVP Bryce Perkins and former University of Auburn QB Payton Thorne. Although there is some stiff competition, Elgersma expressed that regardless of role, there’s one thing that comes before anything else. “For me, my job is to come here and help the Winnipeg Blue Bombers win a Grey Cup. That’s all I’m focused on, [and] becoming the best version of myself in the building every single day,” he said. Elgersma begins his CFL journey May 6, as the Blue Bombers kick off the year with their rookie camp, before starting training camp on May 10.
