Winnipeg Brings Back All-Star Defensive Lineman Willie Jefferson
One of the best defensive players in the CFL has come to an agreement with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on a new deal.
The team announced on X Monday afternoon that Willie Jefferson has agreed to a one-year contract extension.
Jefferson has been in the CFL since 2014, when he spent two seasons with Edmonton. In 2016, he joined Saskatchewan, where he played for the Roughriders for three seasons. Jefferson was a two-time CFL All-Star with the Riders and also helped Saskatchewan win the Grey Cup in 2015.
His success continued when he signed with the Blue Bombers in 2019. He was named an All-Star in 2019, 2021 and 2023, and he won CFL Most Outstanding Defensive Player 2019 when he finished with a career-high 12 sacks on the season. Jefferson won two Grey Cups with the Bombers, in 2019 and 2021.
During his CFL career, Jefferson has recorded 184 tackles, 57 sacks, six interceptions and four touchdowns. In 2023, Jefferson finished with 21 tackles and 11 sacks, which were fifth-best in the CFL. He was named CFL All-Star and CFL West All-Star.
Most recently, Jefferson was ranked 13th on the list of the CFL's top 30 pending free agents.
Winnipeg's 2023 season ended with a 14-4 overall record and a loss to the Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup. Jefferson recorded a sack in the loss.
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