C’mon back down to Winnipeg: Blue Bombers sign star DL Willie Jefferson to contract extension

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The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed defensive end Willie Jefferson to a one-year contract extension for the 2024 season. The 32-year-old Beaumont, TX native was scheduled to become a free agent in February.

The six-foot-seven, 242-pound Jefferson has spent four seasons in the Manitoba capital and nine overall in the CFL, including his days with Edmonton (2014-2015) and Saskatchewan (2016-2018). He’s played 108 games recording 183 tackles, 58 sacks, 17 forced fumbles and six interceptions. 

During the 2023 campaign, Jefferson was named a CFL all-star for the fifth time in his career. He was voted the Blue Bombers’ Most Outstanding Defensive Player for a third time after posting a team-leading 11 quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles, tied for second in the CFL, and 13 pass knockdowns, most in the league, plus 21 defensive tackles.

In 2022, Jefferson became the first player in CFL history to record 60 career sacks and 60 pass knockdowns with his 37 career sacks tying him ninth on the Blue Bombers all-time list.

Jefferson was named the 2022 recipient of the Ed Kotowich ‘Good Guy Award’ which recognizes a Blue Bombers player who has excellent football ability while being a leader in the locker room and shows outstanding effort in the community.

After leaving the Riders as a free agent in 2019, Jefferson has helped Winnipeg make it to four straight Grey Cups, winning two in back-to-back fashion in 2019 and 2021.