The Corbett Report, Pre-season 2026

Introduction

Training camps and, by extension, pre-season games are an interesting beast in a football team’s season.  So many hopefuls are brought into camp.  Off-season signings that seemed so promising can come up flat.  Shoo-ins can sometimes be shown the boot.  A team that takes to the field in the pre-season may not look at all like the team that ultimately suits up for the opening game.  Case in point, the QB position for the Bombers.  In this pre-season game, veteran QB (and undoubtedly the starter when game one rolls around) Zach Collaros won’t even dress.  Instead, Canadian QB Taylor Elgersma gets the start with Bryce Perkins being in the #2 position.  Elgersma didn’t exactly light up the score board last week but to be fair he was the victim of a number of dropped balls by a rookie receiving core.  This week the game will be all his.  A chance to show whether he can be the next starter for the Bombers or whether his name will be added to a long (very long) list of Bomber QBs who were touted as the second coming but who floundered when the lights came on and the games began to have meaning. The backup QB is often the most popular player in Bomberland.  Tonight we’ll see if Elgersma can earn the position.

Welcome to the pre-season edition of the Corbett Report.

Bombers

In the past, the Bombers used game 1 of the pre-season as a time to test out rookies and game 2 as a game to give the starters a chance to warm up for the opening game of the season.  Not so this year.  Here’s a list of suspected starters who AREN’T dressing for this game (deep breath now):

On Offence

Zach Collaros, Stanley Bryant, Tui Eli, Pat Neufeld, Jarell Broxton, Nic Demski, Tim White, Pokey Wilson, Tommy Nield

On defence

Willie Jefferson, Jake Ceresna, Kyrie Wilson, Evan Holm, Deatrick Nichols, Jonathon Moxey, Redha Kramdi, Tony Jones

Suffice to say that this game will be very much about checking out what the newbies can do.  As mentioned above, no position will be more closely watched than the QB position.  With the unexpected departure of Terry Wilson (last year’s backup QB) and Payton Thorne the Bombers have only three QBs on their roster.  With Zach Collaros being the anointed starter it leaves Taylor Elgersma and Bryce Perkins battling out for the #2 position.  As suggested in the opening song, it’s a position that is Taylor Elgersma’s to lose.  It’ll be difficult to get a read on him though given that so many starting receivers aren’t dressing.

Attached is the depth chart for this week.  I recognize Castillo’s name.  Not sure about the others.

Lions

Unlike the Bombers, the Lions will be dressing and in fact starting their #1 QB Nathan Rourke.  With the Bomber fielding an inexperienced team he could have a hay day in the 1^st half of the game.  The Lions have been close to getting to the Grey Cup for a number of years. This year they’re all-in on Nathan Rourke and we’ll see in about 20 weeks whether that strategy allows them to finally reach the big game.

Keys to the game

For the Bombers to win

• Survive Rourke’s playing time – be down by no more than 7 points when he leaves the game (assuming he’ll leave the game at some point)
• Receivers need to hold onto the ball
• Elgersma controls his happy feet

For the Lions to win

• Rourke needs 3 scoring drives before he’s replaced
• D-Line needs to pressure the Bombers’ rookie QBs
• Secondary needs a couple of picks

The predictions

So very hard to pick a winner in the pre-season since it’s difficult to know who’s playing against who (veterans vs. rookies).  With the line up the Bombers are fielding though I’m thinking that it could be a long night. 

Lions 28 Bombers 13

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