Winnipeg Blue Bombers bring back Canadian offensive lineman Tui Eli

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed Canadian offensive lineman Tui Eli to a two-year contract extension, tying him to the team through 2027. He was a pending free agent.

The six-foot-three, 287-pound blocker played all 18 regular-season games for the Blue Bombers in 2025 in a depth role. He also caught a touchdown pass from Zach Collaros in a 27-14 win over the B.C. Lions in June.

The 29-year-old native of Richmond, B.C. was originally a fourth-round pick in the 2019 CFL Draft out of the University of Hawaii, where he was a standout at centre. He has since played 70 regular-season games for the Blue Bombers, made six starts, and won two Grey Cups.

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers finished fourth in the West Division standings in 2025 with a 10-8 record, qualifying for the playoffs as the crossover team before losing the East Semi-Final to the Montreal Alouettes. Zach Collaros threw for 3,048 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions over 13 regular-season games, going 6-7 as a starter.

The Blue Bombers ranked fifth in net offence, third in net defence, and eighth with a turnover differential of minus-eleven. The club’s leading rusher was Brady Oliveira with 1,163 yards, leading receiver was Nic Demski with 1,001 yards, and leading tackler was Tony Jones with 104 tackles. Winnipeg ranked first in attendance with average crowds of 32,343, which was a 3.7 percent increase from the previous year.