Reports: Jarell Broxton leaving B.C. Lions for Winnipeg Blue Bombers

CFL free agency doesn’t officially begin until Feb. 10, but the negotiation window opened Sunday, allowing teams to speak with pending free agents — and all signs point to Jarell Broxton being on the move.

According to reports from Taylor Allen (Winnipeg Free Press), Farhan Lalji (TSN), and 3DownNation, the veteran offensive lineman has agreed to a two-year contract worth $250,000 per season. That figure would make him the highest-paid American offensive lineman in the CFL. The deal is expected to become official when free agency opens.

Broxton, a 6-foot-5, 325-pound blocker, is coming off an outstanding season. The 32-year-old earned All-CFL honours while leading a much-improved B.C. Lions offensive line that allowed a league-low 20 sacks. Over 16 games, he gave up just 15 pressures and posted a CFL-best 81.2 pass-blocking grade from Pro Football Focus. 3DownNation had ranked him as the top pending free agent in the league. The Maryland native has been with B.C. since 2021.

Lions GM Ryan Rigmaiden had publicly expressed interest in re-signing Broxton, but the team’s salary cap situation — with the 2026 cap set at $6.28 million — made that a tough task. Earlier in the off-season, B.C. signed Kory Woodruff to a two-year extension despite him not being a free agent. At the time, Rigmaiden noted the 25-year-old “has the potential to play tackle,” a comment that now looks significant.

Woodruff, who stands 6-foot-3 and 340 pounds, filled in at left tackle during the two games Broxton missed due to injury and is expected to get the first opportunity to claim the starting job.

The Lions still have depth options. Chris Schleuger, 30, re-signed Jan. 5 and has experience at both guard and tackle. Dejon Allen, 31, was also brought back on Jan. 29 after medical checks. The right tackle, acquired last season via trade from Toronto, played just five games due to a torn bicep but was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Lineman in 2023. He’s a two-time All-CFL selection and three-time East Division all-star.

Schleuger and Allen are among 14 Lions free agents who’ve signed extensions, along with key contributors such as Keon Hatcher, James Butler, Sean Whyte, Garry Peters, and Ben Hladik.

B.C., who fell 24-21 to Saskatchewan in last season’s West Division final, begin the 2026 season on June 13 in Regina. Their home opener is set for June 27 against Calgary in Kelowna, as B.C. Place will be unavailable early in the year due to the FIFA World Cup. The Lions return to their home stadium July 25 to face Toronto.