WINNIPEG – Willie Jefferson is simply too old and sensible to fall into the rookie trap.
Although B.C. quarterback Kaidon Salter will make his first CFL start when the Blue Bombers (4-3) host the 1-5 Lions Thursday, Jefferson said Winnipeg’s defence won’t view it as easy pickings.
“You shouldn’t think that way,” the veteran defensive lineman said after Wednesday’s walk-through practice. “Him coming in, you don’t need to take that evenly because while you take people evenly, that’s while you allow them to do things that you just don’t expect.”
Lions head coach Buck Pierce gave Salter the beginning after the 23-year-old Texas native added a little bit of spark to the offence last week.
Salter replaced Chase Brice with six minutes left in a 26-12 loss to the Toronto Argonauts and accomplished nine of 15 pass attempts for 121 yards and ran 4 times for 12 yards.
“You take a look at Kaidon, I believe he plays with some moxie,” Pierce told reporters after a practice earlier this week.
“I believe he plays with slightly little bit of confidence back there as well, too. He allows his guys to go on the market and play football.”
Brice, who made his first CFL start against Toronto, will back up Salter as starter Nathan Rourke stays out with a shoulder injury from a July 17 game.
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Salter played 4 seasons at Liberty University (2021-24) and earned the starting job in 2023. He led the team to a 13-1 record after throwing for two,876 yards with 32 touchdowns. He also ran 163 times for 1,089 yards and 12 TDs and was named Hero Sports G5 national player of the yr.
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He then transferred to Colorado to play under head coach Deion Sanders. He wearing nine games, passing for 1,414 yards with 10 TDs and rushing for 356 yards, but wasn’t chosen within the NFL draft.
Salter was signed by B.C. in May and got right into a pre-season game in Winnipeg. He was 11-of-12 passing for 123 yards and a touchdown in a Lions’ 30-19 victory.
He told reporters this week he’ll be ready for his first pro start and feels privileged for the chance.
“I’m a rookie, a younger guy, but I’ve played plenty of football over my years,” Salter said.
He also got a pep talk last weekend from his cousin, Casey Printers. The previous B.C. quarterback had two stints with the Lions and was named the league’s most eminent player in 2004 after passing for five,008 yards and 35 TDs.
“He was just telling me how briskly things can go and how briskly things can occur,” Salter said of Printers. “He was telling me that I’m able to playing on this league.”
Salter can have to pay attention to Winnipeg’s defensive front, which leads the league with 15 sacks and 32 pass knock-downs. The defence also ranks second with 14 tackles for losses.
Nevertheless, the Bombers are coming off a 52-30 loss to the Calgary Stampeders last Friday, when all three phases took turns making costly mistakes. It was the primary time since 2015 the team gave up 50 points at home.
Winnipeg had six turnovers, including quarterback Dru Brown throwing 4 interceptions. It was his third consecutive start (2-1) rather than injured starter Zach Collaros (neck).
Special teams gave up a 128-yard missed field-goal return for a touchdown by Tyreik McAllister, while the defence’s poor coverage and missed tackles led to Calgary scores.
Brown is glad the team has a brief week between games.
“Any time you form of lay an egg, the very best thing to do is just get back on the market,” he said.
Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea desires to see the offence come out sharper.
“That start itself goes to be an enormous indicator on whether you’re winning or losing,” he said. “As a coach, you’d wish to see them handle the football to begin.
“They need to be more productive. It’s not only adequate to take two knees and punt all game. That’s not what we’re in search of. We’re in search of production, but you only can’t have it when you don’t have the ball.”
One in all Winnipeg’s two changes this week is second-year offensive lineman Micah Vanterpool replacing injured right tackle Jarell Broxton (knee).
B.C. has six changes, including rookie running back Emani Bailey getting into for James Butler (foot).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2026.
© 2026 The Canadian Press