The Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-signed offensive lineman Pat Neufeld and defensive back Michael Griffin II to one-year contract extensions on Sunday. Both players were set to become free agents next month.
Pat Neufeld is six foot six and weighs 300 pounds. The 37-year-old from Regina, Saskatchewan, re-signed with the Blue Bombers on January 5, 2025. In 2025, Neufeld started 18 games. Winnipeg’s offense averaged 23.1 points per game, 345.7 net yards per game, 235 yards per game, 124.1 rushing yards per game, 38 touchdowns, and allowed 37 sacks to finish 10-8 for the season. They lost to the Montreal Alouettes in the Eastern Semi-Final.
This will be Neufeld’s 12th season with the Blue Bombers and 15th in the CFL. Neufeld has played 186 career games, of which 149 were played in Winnipeg.
The Saskatchewan Roughriders drafted Neufeld in the fifth round (33rd pick) in the 2010 CFL Draft. He is a three-time CFL All-Star (2021-23), a two-time CFL West All-Star (2021-23), a two-time Grey Cup champion (2019, 2021), and a Cal Murphy ‘Heart of a Legend’ Award.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers acquired Neufeld in a trade with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2013 for Alex Hall and a 2014 second-round pick. Neufeld has played in 136 career games.
In 2023, Neufeld played 17 games, helping them reach the Grey Cup for the fourth straight season. Winnipeg’s offense ranked first in total points (594), average points per game (31.7), offensive touchdowns (62), average net offense per game (414.7), average rushing yards per game (139.1), second in offensive touchdowns (65), average passing yards per game (292.4), and sacks allowed (33).
In addition, Winnipeg’s offensive line helped running back Brady Olveira rush for a league-best 1,534 yards in earning his first rushing title. He was named a CFL All-Star and CFL West All-Star in 2023.
In 2024, Neufeld started 14 games, helping them reach the Grey Cup for the fifth consecutive season. Winnipeg’s offense ranked eighth in average points (23.2), sixth in average net offense (358.5), third in average rushing yards (111.7), eighth in average passing yards (260.2), ninth in passing touchdowns (18), and fifth in sacks allowed (36).
Collegiately, Neufeld played four seasons at the University of Saskatchewan (2008-11). As a senior, he was named a CIS First Team All-Canadian and Canada West All-Star after helping the Huskies to the best offensive record in the CIS in 2011.
In 2011, Saskatchewan’s offense averaged 28.89 points per game, 155.6 rushing yards per game, 228.89 passing yards per game, 356.0 total yards per game, and 29 touchdowns, finishing 6-4 for the season. After the season, Neufeld played in the 2011 East-West Bowl game.
Michael Griffin II is five eleven and weighs 220 pounds. The 27-year-old from Cottage Grove, Minnesota, made 47 tackles, eight tackles on special teams, and one sack in 13 games.
The Tennessee Titans signed Griffin II as an undrafted free agent on May 13, 2022. He attended training camp, and the Titans released him on August 9, 2022. The Calgary Stampeders signed Griffin II on March 8, 2023. In 2023, Griffin II made 29 tackles, six tackles on special teams, one sack, and one touchdown in 13 games.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers signed Griffin II on May 18, 2024. In 2024, he made 24 tackles, 16 tackles on special teams, and one sack in 15 games.
Collegiately, Griffin II played two seasons at Southwest Minnesota State (2016-17) with 89 tackles (58 solos, 31 assists), half a tackle for loss, one interception, eight pass breakups, two fumble recoveries, and one kick return for 23 yards in 19 games for the Mustangs.
Then, Griffin II transferred to South Dakota State (2018-21) with 159 tackles (95 solos, 64 assists), seven interceptions for 77 yards, eight pass breakups, and two fumble recoveries in 39 games, of which 37 were starts for the Jackrabbits.
In his final season, Griffin II had 72 tackles, one interception, four pass breakups, and two forced fumbles in 15 games. He was named Missouri Valley Football Conference All-Newcomer Team in 2019.
