Bombers RB Brady Oliveira turned down financial packages of $770,000 and $550,000 to stay in Winnipeg.

Winnipeg native Brady Oliveira took a hometown break to live with his beloved Blue Bombers, proving he's not in it for the money.

The Hamilton Tigers-Cats put a full press on the league's most prominent Canadian player. CEO Scott Mitchell, GM Ed Hervey and head coach Scott Milanovich interviewed CFL All-Star RBs. The Ticats offered him $275,000 per season on a two-year contract worth $550,000, but he politely declined.

The BC Lions' initial offer was a three-year package starting at $250,800 in the first season, $256,800 in the second and third seasons and $262,800. It could be negotiated for $265,000, $275,000 and $285,000. Oliveira's girlfriend, Alex Blumberg, has West Coast roots. However, the couple is devoted to bombers.

“I'm loyal to my team, loyal to my guys and loyal to my city. Both Hamilton and BC wanted to pay me a significant amount, but I had to be in Winnipeg,” Oliveira said.

“I'm glad Winnipeg worked and made him work with them. I gave them a commitment and wanted to see it through. I'm very happy to be home.”

The Saskatchewan Roughriders and Toronto Argonauts spoke with Oliveira's agent, but quickly realized competing to pry him away from Winnipeg would be a high price. The 26-year-old was the surprise No. 1 free agent in the CFL, parlaying a stellar 2023 season into first offers.

Oliveira was named the West Division Most Outstanding Player in 2023 after rushing 260 times for 1,534 yards and catching 38 passes for 482 yards and four touchdowns. He became the second Canadian player in league history to reach 2,000 yards from scrimmage in a single season, the other being Canadian Football Hall of Famer John Cornish.

Oliveira, who made his NFL aspirations public in the offseason, said he had “very strong interest” from the Detroit Lions and Buffalo Bills, though neither team is comfortable bringing him in numbers. He's looking at the NFL in the rearview mirror.

Wade Miller, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Football Club, stepped in and brokered a deal. Oliveira signed a two-year contract worth $230,000 in the first year and $240,000 in the second, including a $100,000 signing bonus. That ties the five-foot-ten, 222-pound ball carrier to the Bombers through the 2025 season, as Winnipeg will host the Gray Cup that year.

The Blue Bombers open the 2024 regular season by hosting the defending CFL champion Montreal Alouettes on Thursday, June 6 at Princess Auto Stadium.