Veteran defensive lineman Jefferson agrees to one-year extension with Blue Bombers

Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ Willie Jefferson (5) celebrates a sack on Saskatchewan Roughriders quarterback Jake Maier (9) by James Vaughters (93) and Cameron Lawson (99) during first half CFL action in Winnipeg, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

WINNIPEG — Defensive end Willie Jefferson agreed to a one-year extension with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Thursday.

Jefferson was slated to become a free agent next month.

Jefferson, 34, enters his seventh season with Winnipeg and 12th in the CFL. The six-foot-seven, 244-pound Texan appeared in 17 regular-season games in 2025, recording 15 tackles, three sacks, a forced fumble and league-high 16 pass knockdowns that tied the club record he set in 2019.

The 16 knockdowns were also the third-most in CFL history. And he enters 2026 with 46 sacks as a Blue Bomber, ranking him fifth all-time in franchise history.

A six-time CFL all-star, Jefferson was the league’s top defensive player in 2019. He has accumulated 77 career sacks and 94 pass knockdowns, the latter being the second-most in league history.

Jefferson is a three-time Grey Cup champion with Edmonton (2015) and Winnipeg (2019, ’21).

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Ottawa Redblacks re-sign American defensive back Bennett Williams

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks re-signed American defensive back Bennett Williams to a one-year contract Thursday.

Williams, 26, was slated to become a free agent next month,

Williams registered 26 total tackles (17 defensive) and two forced fumbles in nine regular-season games last year.

The six-foot, 200-pound Williams enters his third campaign with Ottawa, having recorded 55 total tackles (44 defensive), one sack and two forced fumbles in 20 regular-season appearances with the Redblacks.

Williams spent time with the Miami Dolphins in 2023 after playing collegiately at Oregon and Illinois.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 22, 2026.

The Canadian Press