Canadian offensive lineman Michael Couture restructures contract with Winnipeg Blue Bombers

Canadian offensive lineman Michael Couture has restructured his contract with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

The six-foot-four, 300-pound blocker was due an off-season roster bonus of $50,000 on February 1. With teams looking to cut spending due to the ongoing pandemic, Couture renegotiated his deal to lower his cap hit.

The native of Burnaby, B.C. started all eighteen regular season games for Winnipeg in 2019, though he missed the playoffs due to injury.

Couture became the Blue Bombers’ starting centre following the retirement of Matthias Goossen in January 2019. He was originally selected No. 10 overall in the 2016 CFL draft out of Simon Fraser.

This move means that up-and-coming centre Cody Speller is likely to test free agency.

Winnipeg has re-signed American tackles Stanley Bryant and Jermarcus Hardrick this off-season, along with interior Canadian blockers Patrick Neufeld and Geoff Gray. 2019 first-round pick Drew Desjarlais, who won a starting job late in 2019, remains on his rookie contract that expires in February 2022.