Bombers place quarterback Austin Appleby on the retired list

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have placed quarterback Austin Appleby on the retired list.

The 26-year-old Appleby had signed a futures contract with the club last November.

#Bombers have transferred quarterback Austin Appleby to the retired list.

— Darren Cameron (@Darren_Cameron) March 18, 2020

Appleby has accepted a job as the wide receivers coach at Missouri State University.

Couldn't be more thrilled to have the opportunity to work with such a great staff and even better players as the new Wide Receivers Coach at Missouri State University! Excited to start the journey! @MOStateFootball #GoBears🐾

— Coach Austin Appleby (@AAppleby12) March 2, 2020

Winnipeg had inked Appleby as a competitor at the quarterback position after losing Matt Nichols to the Toronto Argonauts and Chris Streveler to an NFL opportunity with the Arizona Cardinals.

Through Appleby’s four-year NCAA career, he played for Purdue University and the University of Florida. He compiled a 6-12 win-loss record, 4,224 passing yards, 29 touchdowns versus 26 interceptions, and 245 rushing yards with nine touchdowns on the ground.

The North Canton, Ohio native has used his connections in the college ranks to get himself a coaching job, but it means, in all likelihood, Appleby won’t play for the Bombers.