Winnipeg native Brady Oliveira wants to help Bombers win multiple titles – Winnipeg Free Press

He accepted offers and carefully considered his football future, but Brady Oliveira could not leave his hometown.

The 2023 CFL rushing leader signed a two-year contract extension with the Blue Bombers on Tuesday. The 26-year-old Winnipeg native could have become a free agent next week, but said Wednesday he has “unfinished business” with the Bombers.

The five-foot-10, 222-pound Oliveira rushed for 1,534 yards last season and was a finalist for the CFL's All-Canadian and Player of the Year awards. He helped Winnipeg (14-4) finish atop the West Division and capture its fourth straight Gray Cup before losing 28-24 to the Montreal Alouettes.

In 2022, Winnipeg posted a CFL-best 15-3 record and was the heavy favorite to win a third consecutive Gray Cup. But the Toronto Argonauts won 24-23.

“I want to be a big part of this team winning championships,” Oliveira told reporters during a video conference on Wednesday. “Not just one, championships.

“We have to finish this job the right way, the unfinished business. When it comes to legacy, you look at guys and how many championships they won was one thing, but were they a big part of winning those championships?''

Oliveira has a great mentor: former CFL star Andrew Harris. A native of Winnipeg, Harris won four championships with three franchises (BC, Winnipeg and Toronto) and retired at the end of the season as the fastest Canadian in league history.

“I always look up to a guy like Andrew. . . he won a lot of championships and was a big part of winning those championships.” – said Oliveira. “I want to do it.

“I'm more hungry now than ever. That's on my mind, and we've got to take it out on our opponent every week and finish this thing the right way, and then we've got to do it in 2025 (when the Gray Cup is in Winnipeg).”

Oliveira also led the CFL in scrimmages (2,016) and touchdowns (13) in 2023, and his rushing total was second only to Calgary Canadiens' John Cornish (1,813 yards in 2013). Oliveira also had 38 catches for 482 yards and four touchdowns.

Financial details were not released, but he will reportedly make $230,000 this season and $240,000 in 2025. TSN reported Oliveira turned down BC's three-year offer starting at $250,000. every year.

“Money wasn't everything to me,” Oliveira said. “It was about paying respect to the running back position and getting what I deserved.”

Also on Tuesday, Winnipeg signed receiver Dalton Schoen to a one-year extension. But Oliveira said the return of three starters on the Bombers' offensive line – Stanley Bryant, center Chris Kolankowski and guard Pat Neufeld – also factored into his decision to stay.

Jermarcus Hardrick has signed with Saskatchewan as Canadian defenseman Jeff Gray is set to become a free agent. Also, American Drew Richmond, who could have replaced Hardrick, retired.

But Oliveira is confident that both Canadian Liam Dobson and American Asotui Ely can handle the heavy workload in 2024.

“Every team looks different every year,” he said. “I think we're in pretty good shape.”

Oliveira doesn't just play soccer in Winnipeg. She also travels to communities in northern Manitoba to interact with the people there and rescue animals. Oliveira spoke Wednesday from Bali, where he and his girlfriend are finding and rescuing dogs.

“When I look at my options this season, my heart is with Winnipeg,” Oliveira said. “I was wondering if I would go to another team. . . I can't do this (charity work in Winnipeg) for six months, so I thought about everything.

“My heart is with Winnipeg, it seems like forever. I can never see myself leaving.”

Winnipeg selected Oliveira in the second round, No. 14 overall in the '19 CFL Draft. He returns for his fifth season with his hometown team, where he played in 51 regular-season games and racked up 2,970 yards rushing, 70 receptions for 808 yards and 20 total touchdowns.

Oliveira said he wants to pursue NFL opportunities after last season. Although he has no contract offers, Oliveira said he has received interest from both the Detroit Lions and the Buffalo Bills.

“They weren't comfortable bringing me in because of the rosters and the number of guys they had at their position,” Oliveira said. “At the end of the day, I think it's about the right timing and roster spots.

“I am very happy to be able to reach this agreement with Winnipeg now. The NFL is in the rearview mirror. . . The NFL case is now behind us.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 7, 2024.