Veteran QBs lead Blue Bombers, Stampeders into opener

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers and Calgary Stampeders are ready to turn the page after last season's early playoff exits.

The West Division rivals will kick off the 2026 CFL regular season on Friday night in Calgary.

The Stampeders (11-7) and Blue Bombers (10-8) finished third and fourth, respectively, in the division in 2025 before dropping their postseason openers.

Calgary swept all three of their meetings last season, giving Winnipeg all the motivation it needs going into Week 1.

Leading the way again this year for the Blue Bombers is quarterback Zach Collaros, a two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player and three-time Grey Cup champion.

The 37-year-old Collaros is entering the final year of his contract and threw a career-high 16 interceptions last season but still has the trust of his teammates. He also has a new offensive coordinator in Tommy Condell.

"Zach's a competitor. He's ready for a lot of big plays and he has a familiar face in Tommy, as well. That revamped him in a way, so I think it's going to be a great year," receiver Nic Demski said.

"He's so competitive, man," added wideout Tim White, one of his new targets. "He's not just a competitor in the way you might think, he's internally motivated and driven. If he makes a bad throw, he's on himself hard. He's such a leader. Being around him has already been a great experience."

Collaros' counterpart under center in Calgary is fellow veteran Vernon Adams Jr., who threw for 4,247 yards in his first season with the Stampeders in 2025. The 33-year-old signed a two-year extension last month.

"I love it here in Calgary, I love my teammates and I've always wanted to play for the White Horse," Adams said. "What we did last year was a great start and I'm very excited to build on that."

Six Winnipeg players are listed as out on the injury report, including linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox (ankle). Wide receiver Reggie Begelton (knee) and three other Calgary players have been ruled out.

--Field Level Media