Kyle Walters receives 2-year contract extension as general manager of Winnipeg Blue Bombers

The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have signed general manager Kyle Walters to a two-year contract extension.

Walters previously said he and the Bombers couldn't agree on a new deal before the 2023 season, but agreed not to speak on it again until after Winnipeg had finished its season. 

"When it was clear there wasn't going to be anything sorted out before the season, then there was no use worrying or talking about it," he told media on Nov. 15, adding that his preference was to stay in Winnipeg.

Walters joined the Blue Bombers in 2010 as their special-teams co-ordinator, a post he led through 2012. But as general manager, Walters has had a major hand in building Winnipeg into a perennial CFL powerhouse.

He became interim general manager in 2013 before assuming the role permanently the following year.

Walters played seven CFL seasons as a defensive back with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, winning a Grey Cup in 1999.

Upon retiring, Walters got into coaching at Guelph, his alma mater, serving as defensive co-ordinator from 2004 to 2005, before becoming head coach from 2006 to 2009.

He has been instrumental in keeping the core of Winnipeg's roster together, a tough achievement in the free agency era. Since 2014, Winnipeg has amassed a 98-72 regular-season record, registering double-digit victories and two Grey Cups wins over the last seven seasons.

Winnipeg has made four consecutive Grey Cup appearances, beating Hamilton in 2019 and 2021 before falling to Toronto in 2022 and Montreal earlier this month. The 2020 season was cancelled due to the pandemic.

Assistant general manager and director of U.S. scouting Danny McManus and senior assistant general manager and director of player personnel Ted Goveia will also remain with the team. Both will be entering their 10th seasons with Winnipeg in 2024.