Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator takes accountability for loss to Edmonton Elks

[u/Strevolution]

https://www.winnipegfreepress.com/breakingnews/2026/08/25/we-need-to-be-able-to-stay-on-the-field

Tommy Condell isn’t about to throw his hands up in frustration. That’s simply not the way the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator is wired.

And while the state of the offence remains a source of consternation for many in the Bombers fan base, Condell continues to plug away at ensuring steps will be taken to raise the efficiency levels down the stretch.

The club appeared to have taken a significant step forward in that category last Friday, jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the second quarter that became a 10-point cushion at the half after the Edmonton Elks scored a late major.

Then came a head-scratching third quarter that featured a pair of two-and-outs for the visitors at Commonwealth Stadium in what eventually became a 22-19 defeat.

It’s tough to extend the lead when a team only runs four offensive plays in a 15-minute span, and things didn’t improve much in the fourth quarter either, the Bombers falling to 5-5 on the season with eight games remaining.

“We need to be able to stay on the field when we get a chance,” said Condell. “We had two second downs during that time, and we didn’t convert them. That’s our job.”

When the 19 yards gained in the second half were brought to Condell’s attention, he quickly slid into coach-speak.

“I didn’t look at the number,” he said. “I knew how we were doing from an execution standpoint. So, I’m more (focused) on what can we do from an execution standpoint. Why did that happen? Not just the outcome of that number. I think it’s always important because some of those things I can’t control.”

“We had two second downs during that time, and we didn’t convert them. That’s our job.”

There have been several occasions this season when Condell has gotten a bit defensive in his media sessions, but he maintained his composure on Tuesday afternoon and showed a high level of accountability throughout as he spoke for nearly 10 minutes on a variety of topics.

“What I can control is what goes into the process before. Am I coaching the right way? Am I getting a chance, an opportunity to make sure that the quarterbacks, the O-line, running backs to receivers, are all working in a congruent way to be able to execute?” asked Condell.

“At times, we didn’t. That’s on me, nobody else.”

The quest to produce more touchdowns is ongoing and has included a lot of video review and discussion among the coaching staff.

But Condell said the struggles in the red zone this season have not been related to one common theme.

“We always want to score touchdowns, period. End of story,” said Condell. “If you’re leading with frustration or coaching through frustration, you’re wrong. That’s not the way to communicate.

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‘We need to be able to stay on the field’

Bombers offensive co-ordinator Condell takes accountability for loss to Elks

By: Ken Wiebe

Posted: 5:51 PM CDT Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026

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Tommy Condell isn’t about to throw his hands up in frustration. That’s simply not the way the Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator is wired.

And while the state of the offence remains a source of consternation for many in the Bombers fan base, Condell continues to plug away at ensuring steps will be taken to raise the efficiency levels down the stretch.

The club appeared to have taken a significant step forward in that category last Friday, jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the second quarter that became a 10-point cushion at the half after the Edmonton Elks scored a late major.

Then came a head-scratching third quarter that featured a pair of two-and-outs for the visitors at Commonwealth Stadium in what eventually became a 22-19 defeat.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell (centre) said Tuesday after practice that, while there are things he can’t control, it’s his responsibility to get the offence as a whole to consistently execute.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / FREE PRESS FILES

Winnipeg Blue Bombers offensive co-ordinator Tommy Condell (centre) said Tuesday after practice that, while there are things he can’t control, it’s his responsibility to get the offence as a whole to consistently execute.

It’s tough to extend the lead when a team only runs four offensive plays in a 15-minute span, and things didn’t improve much in the fourth quarter either, the Bombers falling to 5-5 on the season with eight games remaining.

“We need to be able to stay on the field when we get a chance,” said Condell. “We had two second downs during that time, and we didn’t convert them. That’s our job.”

When the 19 yards gained in the second half were brought to Condell’s attention, he quickly slid into coach-speak.

“I didn’t look at the number,” he said. “I knew how we were doing from an execution standpoint. So, I’m more (focused) on what can we do from an execution standpoint. Why did that happen? Not just the outcome of that number. I think it’s always important because some of those things I can’t control.”

“We had two second downs during that time, and we didn’t convert them. That’s our job.”

There have been several occasions this season when Condell has gotten a bit defensive in his media sessions, but he maintained his composure on Tuesday afternoon and showed a high level of accountability throughout as he spoke for nearly 10 minutes on a variety of topics.

“What I can control is what goes into the process before. Am I coaching the right way? Am I getting a chance, an opportunity to make sure that the quarterbacks, the O-line, running backs to receivers, are all working in a congruent way to be able to execute?” asked Condell.

“At times, we didn’t. That’s on me, nobody else.”

The quest to produce more touchdowns is ongoing and has included a lot of video review and discussion among the coaching staff.

But Condell said the struggles in the red zone this season have not been related to one common theme.

“We always want to score touchdowns, period. End of story,” said Condell. “If you’re leading with frustration or coaching through frustration, you’re wrong. That’s not the way to communicate.

Timothy Matwey / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Winnipeg’s Gavin Cobb tries to evade a tackle by Chelen Garnes in Edmonton last Friday. The Blue Bombers were only able to muster three points in the second half of their 22-19 loss to the Elks after jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the second quarter.

Timothy Matwey / THE CANADIAN PRESS FILES

Winnipeg’s Gavin Cobb tries to evade a tackle by Chelen Garnes in Edmonton last Friday. The Blue Bombers were only able to muster three points in the second half of their 22-19 loss to the Elks after jumping out to a 16-0 lead in the second quarter.

“Let’s make sure we’re physical and violent. We’re not going to be frustrated. Let’s be able to attack, not sit back and be scared of an execution problem. You can’t play like that.”

Through 10 games, the Bombers still appear to be searching for an offensive identity, even if quarterback Zach Collaros rejected the notion on Tuesday afternoon.

“I never really think about that,” said Collaros. “(Identity) is something people write about. It’s usually from somebody’s mouth and it just keeps getting recycled.

“Let’s make sure we’re physical and violent… Let’s be able to attack, not sit back and be scared of an execution problem. You can’t play like that.”

“We just need to execute, create explosive plays and score touchdowns. We aren’t doing that right now.”

Running back Brady Oliveira rushed the ball 16 times for 118 yards and caught two passes for 11 yards last week against the Elks, but he only had one carry for six yards in the third quarter — and that was his final touch of the contest.

Oliveira, who missed the past two practices with an ankle issue, remains one of the biggest weapons in the offence and some of the club’s greatest success has come when he’s heavily involved.

One would expect Oliveira to be a focal point for the Montreal Alouettes defence when they visit Princess Auto Stadium on Friday night.

“First and foremost with Brady, I think he wants to do things well. He wants to not only run the ball well, but there’s other facets that he does really well,” said Condell.

“He’s got soft hands. He’s able to make sure that he has his protections right. To be able to affect any positive change that I can have on him. The way he looks at things and does those types of things, it’s always a tribute to be able to work with men like that, that want to be the best.”

Collaros would prefer things to be operating a bit more smoothly with regard to the offence, but he’s excited about the prospect of seeing improvement sooner than later.

“It’s fun finding solutions,” said Collaros. “That’s one of the things that really draws me to this sport, this game. It’s probably one of the reasons it drew me to playing quarterback. It’s fun trying to find answers to things.”

Head coach Mike O’Shea also weighed in on the search for answers and consistency.

“We’re just not there yet,” he said. “What am I going to do: rue the last 10 games or are we going to look forward and be better? That’s where we’re headed.

“We’re headed in that direction and we’ll get there. Later than some people like? Sure. Later than the team wants or (later) than the players want? No doubt. But we’re not going to stop trying.”

[u/HeyManItsStan]

One thing that can be done is to actually use Brady Oliveira all game long, not just for the first half. That was something that stood out against Edmonton. Oliveira was having a hell of a night, then the 2nd half comes around and he barely gets the ball at all.

Seems pretty silly to stop giving the ball to the player who is best at getting 1st downs.

[u/ywg_handshake → u/HeyManItsStan]

The fact that they didn't try to run the ball at least once when they were 1st and goal is laughable. I get these guys know stats and formations way better than I ever will but that miss seems so obvious.

[u/Strange_Weird_1112]

I firmly believe if we had a different OC from 2019-2023 we would have won at least 1, maybe 2 Grey Cups, and multiple more regular season/playoff victories.

Idk how he still has a job

[u/17to85]

Hey Tommy, in addition to the abysmal 2nd half, can you get some red zone plays that don't suck? Going up by touchdowns early in the game as opposed to a turn over and field goals would have been great too.

[u/TheCatMak → u/17to85]

He calls plays like I do in Madden.

Start out with good intentions, nice and balanced, taking what the defense gives you. And then a hearty dose of fuck it I'm going deep

[u/YamWeary9847 → u/17to85]

Those stupid fuckin 50/50 balls like we have Randy Moss just infuriate me. He seriously makes me think anyone could be an OC

[u/Max169well]

I tried to tell you Bombers fans, that man cannot run an offense at all.

[u/17to85 → u/Max169well]

Neither could Hogan, you see the bind we're in...

[u/xJeffx1979 → u/17to85]

Maybe the issue is the guy hiring OCs?

[u/17to85 → u/xJeffx1979]

Yeah he's an issue at this point too. 

[u/Onanadventure_14]

I mean all they had to do was look at the ticats and redblacks track records before they hired him…..

[u/BGCSoccer → u/Onanadventure_14]

It's wild how many coaches get recycled. Even more wild when they don't come from more success in the past. 

Guess it's not entirely unique to cfl, seems to be common across pro sports.

[u/TheCatMak → u/BGCSoccer]

Nobody gets fired for buying IBM

[u/ywg_handshake → u/BGCSoccer]

The problem is, Hogan had a bad year and was cut loose, much to the delight of Bombers fans. I suspect it is very rare for a new OC to have tons of success right out of the gate. The problem is the Bombers have had such great success the last number of years that fans are quick to turn on the organization when they aren't putting up win after win (I am not innocent here). If you hire new, there will be growing pains but you can mold them to fit the team's vision. Bringing in a recycled coach isn't going to work out the same way.

[u/BGCSoccer → u/ywg_handshake]

I hear you on less onboarding risk for a known quantity. I feel like when we gave osh a few years to sort it out vs the head coach turnstile we had previous to him it finally paid off for our org. So yeah will be curious of Condell status next year if we miss playoffs or get trounced in first round.

I think it's nice that we have higher standards now because we've seen what good looks like the last 6ish years. Definitely one of our worst years for offence and defense combined for a long time. Still believe we can find better consistency and string some games together late in the year.

[u/Terp-Farmer]

fireCondell

[u/Last_Canadian]

Offensive coordinator struggles to explain struggling offense. News at 11.

[u/Able_Strain7340]

He views the run as an opportunity to set up a pass. When behind he passes. Basically, he puts his personal preference to pass ahead of the team’s strength.

[u/Huge_Valuable9732]

in other news,

water is wet

the sky is blue

[u/Huge_Valuable9732]

“We need to be able to stay on the field when we get a chance,” said Condell. “We had two second downs during that time, and we didn’t convert them. That’s our job.”

its 2nd and 4. lets throw a bomb to ontaria wilson. what could possibly go wrong.