Schoen, a star receiver, said no offer was good enough to lure him away from Winnipeg

Schoen said he and his agent have had “significant interest from several teams.”

“When it got to the point and I made my decision, other people's finances weren't enough for me to give up what I had in Winnipeg.”

He believes his performance with the Blue Bombers is special both on and off the field.

“After the first two days of this process, I looked at the whole picture. You know, what other teams have told me, what they can offer, how I fit in and things like that,” Schoen, 27, said.

“I think the main thing is that Winnipeg is where I want to be. We have such a good culture. It fits perfectly. I know how I can contribute to the team offensively. I love the guys in the locker room.''

Schoen was the league's MVP in 2022 with 1,441 receiving yards on 70 receptions, including 16 touchdowns in 18 games.

Last season, he had 71 catches for 1,222 yards and 10 TDs in 16 games before injuring his ankle, which he said is back to normal.

Schoen said he looked at past scenarios where CFL players, such as Bombers receiver Kenny Lawler, left Winnipeg for a big payday with the Edmonton Elks but returned last year for less money.

Schoen's contract is worth $230,000, a jump from his $70,000 last season.

Winnipeg's postseason paycheck was measured by his decision.

“There's a chance to make money in the playoffs, but to me as a competitor, more than anything, you want to be in a place where you can win,” Schoen said.

“I don't know if you can put a real dollar value on going somewhere else and going 3-15. It's not something I really want to be a part of.”

The Bombers have been in the last four Gray Cup games but have only won their first two in 2019 and 2021 when Schoen was away from the club.

After injuring his ankle last October 6, Schoen returned to action in the Gray Cup. He caught three passes for 36 yards as the Bombers were upset by the Montreal Alouettes 28-24.

“It's tough when you've been a part of a team for two years and you've had a lot of success as a team, you've had great seasons, but in the end you've come up short,” Schoen said. “Obviously, that's the goal again, to get back there, but this time to win it.”

Schoen had several workouts with NFL teams before returning to the Bombers last year. His agent spoke with some NFL teams this offseason, but Schoen didn't want to practice because of his ankle and believed his game film would speak for itself. No commitments were made.

The CFL star said he is not disappointed and is looking forward to taking the field with a lot of familiar faces.

His teammates feel the same way about him, including Brady Oliveira, whose two-year extension Schoen's deal with Winnipeg was announced just hours before the team opened.

“Obviously he's going to get better pay than last year, but the guy deserves it. He's a really nice guy,” Oliveira told reporters Wednesday of Schoen.

Winnipeg re-signed key players such as forward Stanley Bryant, Pat Neufeld and Chris Kolankowski. Veteran receivers Drew Wolitarsky and Johnny Augustin also return, and Schoen will get familiar with backup quarterback Chris Streveler when he rejoins the club.

“There's tons of potential. As long as we continue to innovate, move forward,” Schoen said.

Defensively, the Bombers also re-signed West Division All-Star safety Brandon Alexander, tackles Jake Thomas and defensive brothers Nick and Noah Hallett.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published on February 8, 2024.

Judy Owen, Canadian Press