The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed quarterback Payton Thorne and released wide receiver Cameron Echols-Luper and Jamal Parker Jr. on Tuesday. In addition, offensive lineman Tyler Elsbury was removed from the retired list and placed on the active roster.
Payton Thorne is six foot two and weighs 207 pounds. The 24-year-old from Naperville, Illinois, signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 9, 2025. In 2025, Thorne completed 4 of 7 passes (57.1%) for 41 yards in one preseason game. The Bengals released him on August 25, 2025.
Collegiately, Thorne spent four seasons at Michigan State (2019-22) completing 524 of 860 passes (61%) for 6,494 yards, 49 touchdowns, 24 interceptions, 167 carries for 270 yards, six rushing touchdowns, one catch for 15 yards, and two tackles (2 solos) in 29 games for the Spartans.
Then, he transferred to Auburn University (2023-24), completing 361 of 582 passes (62%) for 4,468 yards, 37 touchdowns, 19 interceptions, 246 carries for 798 yards, and five rushing touchdowns in 24 games for the Tigers.
Cameron Echols-Luper is six foot and weighs 195 pounds. The 30-year-old from Ennis, Texas, made six catches for 71 yards and one tackle in two preseason games. The Stampeders released him on May 30, 2025. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Echols-Luper on August 25, 2025. In 2025, he made two catches for nine yards in one game.
The B.C. Lions signed Echols-Luper signed with the B.C. Lions September 10, 2019. He finished the season on the practice squad. In 2021, he played for the Sea Lions (TSL) with 13 catches for 193 yards.
The New Jersey Generals signed Echols-Luper on April 1, 2022. In 2022, Echols-Luper made three catches for 38 yards, one carry for 24 yards, one touchdown, and 26 kick returns for 748 yards in eight games.
In 2023, he made 23 catches for 294 yards, two touchdowns, eight kick returns for 255 yards, one touchdown, and nine punt returns for 32 yards in ten games. Echols-Luper signed with the New Orleans Breakers on October 4, 2023, but the Breakers were not included in the USFL and XFL merger that formed the United Football League (UFL).
The Calgary Stampeders signed him on January 21, 2024. In 2024, he made 31 catches for 363 yards, four touchdowns, eight kick returns for 181 yards, and 12 punt returns for 109 yards in 12 games.
Collegiately, Echols-Luper played two seasons at TCU (2013-14) with 13 catches for 93 yards, one carry for three yards, completing 3 of 4 passes (75%) for 59 yards, one touchdown, 11 kick returns for 126 yards, 47 punt returns for 536 yards, and one touchdown in 24 games for the Horned Frogs. He was an All-Big 12 Honorable Mention as a return specialist in 2014.
Next, Echols-Luper transferred to Arkansas State (2015-16) with 26 catches for 407 yards, one touchdown, seven carries for eight yards, completed 2 of 3 passes (67%) for 66 yards, one touchdown, two kick returns for 35 yards, and four punt returns for 139 yards in 13 games for the Red Wolves.
Then, Echols-Luper transferred to Western Kentucky in 2017 with 42 catches for 473 yards, four touchdowns, two carries for six yards, and 18 kick returns for 390 yards in 10 games for the Hilltoppers.
Jamal Parker Jr. is five foot eight and weighs 177 pounds. The 27-year-old from Pennsauken, New Jersey, re-signed with the Blue Bombers on January 10, 2025. In 2025, he made 36 tackles, one interception, and one touchdown in 11 games.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Parker Jr. on May 15, 2022. In 2022, Parker Jr. made 37 tackles, eight tackles on special teams, one sack, and one interception in 12 games. In 2023, he made 13 tackles and three tackles on special teams in eight games. In 2024, he missed the season due to a knee injury.
Collegiately, Parker Jr. played four seasons at Kent State (2016-19) with 230 tackles (156 solos, 74 assists), four tackles for loss, two sacks, nine interceptions for 99 yards, 38 pass breakups, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery, one blocked kick, one carry for 11 yards, 43 kick returns for 1,181 yards, one touchdown, and two punt returns for 18 yards in 48 games for the Golden Flashes. He was named Second Team All-MAC.
Tyler Elsbury is six foot five and weighs 316 pounds. The 24-year-old from Byron, Illinois, attended the Seattle Seahawks rookie minicamp in 2025. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Elsbury on May 16, 2025. In 2025, he played left guard in two preseason games. Elsbury spent over a month on the practice squad. He was placed on the retired list on July 21, 2025.
Collegiately, Elsbury played five seasons at Iowa (2020-24), playing guard in 50 games for the Hawkeyes. In 2024, Iowa averaged 27.69 points per game, 197.2 rushing yards per game, 131.6 passing yards per game, 328.8 total yards per game, 43 touchdowns, and allowed 17 sacks, finishing 8-5 for the season and appearing in the TransPerfect Music City Bowl.
