The Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-signed linebackers Kyrie Wilson and Shayne Gauthier to one-year contract extensions through the 2025 season on Tuesday. Both players were set to be free agents next month.
Kyrie Wilson is six foot one and weighs 215 pounds. The 33-year-old from Fresno, California, made 28 tackles and one sack in eight games in 2024. He missed the majority of the season with an injury.
In seven seasons in Winnipeg, Wilson made 161 tackles, 15 tackles on special teams, six sacks, one interception, and one forced fumble in 51 games. He helped the Blue Bombers appear in four Grey Cup championship games, winning two of them in 2019 and 2021.
Wilson signed with the Oakland Raiders as an undrafted free agent on May 10, 2016. Wilson played one preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals in 2016 making three tackles (3 solos). He was released on September 3, 2016. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Wilson on April 19, 2017.
Collegiately, Wilson played five seasons at Fresno State (2011-15) with 318 tackles (185 solos, 133 assists), 18 tackles for loss, five sacks, two interceptions for 27 yards, one touchdown, 11 pass breakups, and five forced fumbles in 63 games for the Bulldogs.
Shayne Gauthier is five foot ten and weighs 232 pounds. The 32-year-old from Dolbeau-Mistassini, Quebec City, made seven tackles, 14 tackles on special teams, and one forced fumble in 18 games in 2024 helping the Blue Bombers appear in their fifth straight Grey Cup.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers drafted Gauthier in the fourth round (28th pick) in the 2016 CFL Draft. In his rookie season, Gauthier made seven tackles and one forced fumble in nine games. In 2023, he made six tackles and three tackles on special teams in six games.
In eight seasons in Winnipeg, Gauthier made 56 tackles, 71 tackles on special teams, two sacks, and one forced fumble in 87 games. He is a member of the 2019 and 2021 Grey Cup championship teams.
Collegiately, Gauthier played four seasons at Laval (2012-15) making 161 tackles (99 solos, 62 assists), 14 tackles for loss, five sacks, three forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, one interception, five pass breakups, and two kick returns for 28 yards in 33 games for the Rouge et Or. He was a two-time RSEQ All-Star and earned U Sports second-team All-Canadian honors as a senior.
