Canadian football coach Mike O’Shea sends clear message to Taylor Elgersma after Winnipeg Blue Bombers preseason debut: relax and play

Mike O’Shea admitted he came away more encouraged by Taylor Elgersma’s first CFL appearance than the quarterback himself after the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ preseason clash in Saskatoon.

The Bombers head coach joked that Elgersma looked frustrated when he entered the dressing room after the game, revealing he had to remind the young quarterback to enjoy the experience more. O’Shea felt the occasion should be seen as an exciting milestone, even if the player himself was disappointed with how things unfolded.

Elgersma, the former Hec Crighton Trophy winner, made his much-anticipated debut for the Blue Bombers on Saturday, playing close to three quarters of the preseason opener. His performance produced mixed results, completing six of his 13 pass attempts for 78 yards while throwing two interceptions. However, he also showed his mobility, finishing as the team’s leading rusher with 18 yards on four carries.

The numbers did not tell the full story, with a couple of dropped passes from young receivers affecting his stat line, while at least one interception appeared difficult to pin entirely on the quarterback. Still, after months of hype surrounding his arrival, some fans may have expected a smoother first outing.

O’Shea, though, viewed the performance positively and praised Elgersma’s understanding of the system and defensive concepts. The coach suggested the quarterback may have been trying too hard to force big plays instead of taking simpler options, explaining that sometimes a routine completion for a first down is enough.

According to O’Shea, Elgersma already understands where improvements are needed and is eager to compete at a high level, which he believes is a good sign moving forward.

Elgersma joined Winnipeg after being selected 18th overall in the second round of the 2025 CFL Draft, though his move to the Bombers was delayed while he explored opportunities with the Green Bay Packers and the Birmingham Stallions. The former Wilfrid Laurier standout is currently seen as the frontrunner to secure the backup quarterback role after impressing in training camp.

Following the departures of Payton Thorne and Terry Wilson, former UFL MVP Bryce Perkins remains Elgersma’s main competition. O’Shea noted Perkins is still adjusting to the Canadian game and will naturally be judged differently, given Elgersma’s prior experience with 12-man football and CFL-style systems.