Bombers QB Brown gets the nod Friday against the Argos

Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Dru Brown (6) hands off to Johnny Augustine (27) against the Saskatchewan Roughriders during the second half of CFL football action in Winnipeg Saturday, September 9, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

It’s been 987 days since Dru Brown threw a touchdown in a blue and gold jersey, but the quarterback will get another shot Friday night against the Toronto Argonauts.

“I don’t know if it’s like nervousness – but just butterflies, excitement,” Brown told reporters Thursday.

Brown takes the reins of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offence while Zach Collaros is sidelined with a neck injury he sustained last week in Hamilton.

“We brought in Dru for a reason. We brough Dru in for this reason,” Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea said Thursday. “You execute the plan as it was laid out.”

Brown, a member of the 2021 Grey Cup champion squad, spent three seasons in blue and gold from 2021 to 2023. He appeared in 38 games with Winnipeg, going 2-1 in three starts before the Bombers traded his negotiation rights to Ottawa in 2024.

The American quarterback threw for 6,384 yards and tossed 32 touchdowns during a two-season stint as the RedBlacks starter.

However, Brown lost the starting gig in Ottawa to Jake Maier at the beginning of the 2026 CFL season and was traded to the Blue Bombers just over two weeks ago.

“I feel like I’ve refined a handful of things,” Brown said Thursday. “But at the end of the day, I still feel like a kid that gets a chance to play a kid’s game. So, I’m just really excited for the opportunity.”

Brown gets the nod Friday night over rookie quarterback Taylor Elgersma, who filled in admirably following Collaros’ exit against the Tiger-Cats and helped the Bombers grind out a 14-13 win.

O’Shea said Elgersma understands why the more experienced QB is starting against the Argos.

“There’s no massaging needed,” O’Shea explained. “He’s 24, and he is a pro beyond that age. Well beyond that age. So yep, you can see it in his face. He wants opportunities, but he wants to be a great teammate and he wants to help.”

Running back Brady Oliveira, who was in peak form against the Ticats, said Brown’s ready to lead the charge Friday night.

“The confidence, I would say, is through the roof,” Oliveira said Thursday. “He’s ready to go in there and execute the full playbook.”

Brown will need to do just that to keep pace with an Argos offence averaging 37.5 points per game this season.

“Chad Kelly and the receiving corps go out there and they light it up,” Oliveria said. “So, obviously, the defence has to go out there and do what they do.”

Kickoff from Princess Auto Stadium goes at 7:30 p.m. Friday.