Former Michigan State and Auburn QB Payton Thorne signs with Blue Bombers

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have added American quarterback Payton Thorne to their roster.

The six-foot-two, 210-pound signal-caller spent the 2023 and 2024 college seasons at Auburn University, where he completed 62.0 percent of his passes for 4,468 yards, throwing 37 touchdowns against 19 interceptions. Thorne also contributed on the ground, rushing for 798 yards and five scores, while compiling a 10–12 record as a starter.

Before transferring to Auburn, Thorne began his collegiate career at Michigan State in 2019 and spent four seasons with the Spartans. During that time, he completed 60.9 percent of his attempts for 6,493 yards, 49 touchdowns, and 24 interceptions, adding 270 rushing yards and six touchdowns. He posted a 16–10 record as a starter with the program.

After going undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, the Naperville, Illinois native signed with the Cincinnati Bengals. He appeared during the preseason, completing four of seven passes for 41 yards, but was released following training camp.

At his pro day, the 24-year-old recorded a 4.70-second forty-yard dash, a 4.25-second shuttle, a 7.20-second three-cone drill, a 31-inch vertical jump, and a nine-foot, nine-inch broad jump.

Thorne becomes one of five quarterbacks under contract with Winnipeg for the 2026 season, joining starter Zach Collaros, backups Terry Wilson and Chase Artopoeus, and newcomer Bryce Perkins.

The Blue Bombers finished the 2025 season fourth in the West Division with a 10–8 record, earning a playoff spot as a crossover team before falling to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Semi-Final. Collaros threw for 3,048 yards, 17 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions across 13 regular-season games, finishing 6–7 as a starter.

Winnipeg ranked fifth in net offence, third in net defence, and eighth in turnover differential at minus-11. Brady Oliveira led the team in rushing with 1,163 yards, Nic Demski topped the receiving corps with 1,001 yards, and Tony Jones paced the defence with 104 tackles. The club also led the CFL in attendance, averaging 32,343 fans per game — a 3.7 percent increase from the previous season.