WINNIPEG 鈥� Kyle Walters doesn鈥檛 need a jigsaw puzzle for Christmas.
The newly extended Winnipeg Blue Bombers general manager told reporters Wednesday he expects a challenging off-season putting the pieces together for next year鈥檚 CFL roster.
He also admitted there鈥檚 an unknown right now when it comes to keeping offensive co-ordinator Buck Pierce.
Reports this week have pointed to Pierce and Toronto defensive co-ordinator Corey Mace as the final candidates interviewing for the Saskatchewan Roughriders鈥� head-coaching vacancy.
鈥淲e鈥檙e a year older now and I think this will be a more-challenging off-season than in years past because of the transition and the potential loss of Buck,鈥� said Walters, who signed a two-year extension this week.
鈥淚f Buck ends up leaving, that鈥檚 another piece that needs to be added and getting familiar with whoever that may be if Buck leaves.鈥�
He鈥檚 crossing his fingers an answer is around the corner.
"Hopefully sooner rather than later that Saskatchewan can make their decision and get rolling because the domino effect, one layer or another, will have to follow up with those decisions," Walters said.
聽Walters has been Winnipeg's GM since being promoted from assistant coach and assistant GM in November 2013.
He said assistant GM and director of U.S. scouting Danny McManus and senior assistant GM and director of player personnel Ted Goveia also signed extensions through 2025, when Winnipeg hosts the Grey Cup.
The trio has crafted teams that have appeared in the past four Grey Cup games. Winnipeg won in 2019 and 2021, but lost 24-23 to Toronto in 2022 and 28-24 to the Montreal Alouettes on Nov. 19.
That group, along with head coach Mike O鈥橲hea and his assistant coaches, will soon meet and map out a roster plan that takes into account various factors.
鈥淵ou study the performance of a player and you have to assume, try to predict how they鈥檙e going to be next year,鈥� Walters said. 鈥淵ou speak with your medical staff at length about guys.
鈥淎nd salaries have a lot to do with it, too. Generally, the older guys, rightfully so, are making more money. 鈥� It鈥檚 an individual-by-individual basis. That will be interesting discussions over the next few weeks.鈥�
The CFL salary cap is increasing next season to $5.525 million from $5.45 million per team. That鈥檚 an extra $75,000 Walters has to play with, which he described as 鈥渇airly minuscule.鈥�
Players will look for raises, particularly pending free agent Brady Oliveira. The running back led the CFL in rushing with 1,534 yards and was the league鈥檚 top Canadian and finalist for most outstanding player.
Oliveira said at the end of the season his agent will seek tryouts with NFL teams, but he鈥檇 return to his hometown team if the core group is back and he earns what he deserves.
Star receiver Dalton Schoen may try again to connect with an NFL club, but would be a coveted CFL free agent.
Walters will be ready to make his pitches whenever the time comes.
鈥淵ou put a plan together with what you think is a fair offer and every time the agents think vastly differently,鈥� Walters said. 鈥淪o, it鈥檚 quite a process, particularly with the high-end guys who deserve to explore the market value and they鈥檝e earned the right to capitalize financially on their success.鈥�
Winnipeg鈥檚 entire starting offensive line are pending free agents and range in age from 29 to 37-year-old perennial all-star tackle Stanley Bryant.
The men in the trenches will be a priority, Walters said.
鈥淲e kind of pride ourselves on starting with the offensive line, so I鈥檓 sure that will be the first point,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檒l make sure we鈥檝e got a good group. We鈥檇 like to bring them back and we鈥檒l start that process, too. 鈥�
O鈥橲hea told reporters earlier this week that a couple players are considering retirement, but didn鈥檛 point to anyone in particular.
Walters is willing to wait a bit and find out.聽
鈥淭he loss (to Montreal) was so emotional that I think a lot of guys talked and were upset and made some statements or let it be known that (retirement) could potentially be an option,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 think the best thing is to let things settle down for a month, take a deep breath and revisit guys with what鈥檚 their plan and what are we thinking for next year.鈥�
Although he only got his contract extension this week, Walters doesn鈥檛 think the delay has had an impact.
鈥淥nce we get going and put a plan in place together in regards to who鈥檚 coming back, who we can afford, what the coaches鈥� input is, we鈥檒l get her rolling and just keep going.鈥� 聽
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 29, 2023.
Judy Owen, The Canadian Press
