Nichols skips potential free agency to re-sign with Winnipeg Blue Bombers

WINNIPEG – Matt Nichols believes the Winnipeg Blue Bombers are close to being a CFL contender.

That’s primarily why the veteran quarterback re-signed with Winnipeg on Tuesday rather than become a free agent next month.

“I think the makeup is there for this team to be very good and I want to be a part of it,” Nichols said during a conference call. “We were very close to winning some close games against good teams and easily could have had three, four more wins down the stretch and got ourselves into the playoffs.

“I can see the talent level is there, the passion is there, guys never gave up and that’s a team I want to be a part of.”

Winnipeg acquired Nichols from Edmonton in September and he started seven games for the Bombers. Nichols completed 149 of 248 passes for 1,757 yards with 10 touchdowns after throwing for 1,488 yards and eight TDs with the Eskimos.

Winnipeg (5-13) finished fourth in the West Division, four points behind the B.C. Lions (7-11) for the final playoff spot in the division. But the Bombers were 3-3 before starter Drew Willy suffered a season-ending knee injury in a 38-8 loss to Hamilton on Aug. 9.

After Willy’s injury, Robert Marve and Brian Brohm both started before Nichols’ arrival. The six-foot-two 215-pound Nichols wasted little time making his presence felt with the Bombers, completing 21 of 30 passes for 283 yards and a TD in a 22-7 win over Saskatchewan on Sept. 12 in his debut with the club.

But Nichols played sparingly in Winnipeg’s regular-season finale, a 22-11 road loss to Toronto on Nov. 6 as newcomer Dominique Davis made his first CFL start.

Nichols sees many similarities between the Bombers and the ’14 Eskimos, who were second in the West with a 12-6 record and reached the division final a year after posting a dismal 4-14 record.

“I think this team is going to have a good turnaround like I saw in Edmonton,” he said. “You could see the talent was there, it’s just going to take a little bit to get us over that hump and I’m looking forward to being a part of it.”

Winnipeg GM Kyle Walters said Nichols’ return gives the club experience under centre.

“Getting this deal done was a very important component to our roster heading into 2016,” he said in a statement. “Matt is an extremely valuable asset to our organization, and provides stability and depth at a very key position.”

Both Willy and Nichols must learn a new offence this season with the recent hiring of former Winnipeg head coach Paul LaPolice as offensive co-ordinator. Then again, Nichols said that’s really nothing new.

“Obviously I don’t know exactly what the offence he runs is yet but I’ve been in the league seven years now and I think I’ve run six different offences so I’m used to learning new stuff,’ Nichols said. “Learning a new offence is exciting.

“He’s a guy who just talking to him has a lot of faith in what Drew and I can do and what this offence can be. I’m looking forward to getting to work with him.”

But after being Winnipeg’s starter last season, Nichols will head into training camp as Willy’s backup. However, Nichols said last year — when seven of the nine CFL starters were injured — is proof positive the No. 2 quarterback must always be prepared to play.

“It’s a crazy league with a long season,” he said. “You never know what can happen … you never know when your time is going to come.

“I’m looking forward to working with Drew and whenever the time comes that I’m asked to step in and play, I’m going to be ready.”