The Winnipeg Blue Bombers have secured a key piece of their receiving corps, agreeing to terms on a one-year contract with Dalton Schoen.
The Bombers made the announcement in a press release on Saturday morning. The 27-year-old was set to become a free agent on February 11 but will now return for his fourth season with the club in 2025.
Injury comeback and past success
Schoen was limited to just three games in the 2024 season after suffering a season-ending knee injury in a loss to the B.C. Lions. Before his injury, he managed to record 14 receptions for 159 yards in just over two games.
Prior to 2024, Schoen was one of the most dominant receivers in the CFL. Over the 2022 and 2023 seasons, he amassed 141 receptions for 2,663 yards and 26 touchdowns. He earned West Division and CFL All-Star honours in both years.
In 2023, Schoen recorded 71 receptions for 1,222 yards and 10 touchdowns, ranking third in the league for receiving yards and first in touchdown receptions. His ability to make crucial plays was evident as he finished third in second-down conversion catches with 30.
His rookie season in 2022 was even more remarkable. Schoen led the league with 1,441 receiving yards on 70 receptions while tying for the league lead in touchdowns with 16. His breakout campaign earned him the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie award. His 1,441 yards ranked as the seventh-highest single-season total in Blue Bombers history, while his 16 touchdowns set a new team record for a first-year player.
Career overview
In total, Schoen has played 37 CFL games—all with Winnipeg—recording 244 receptions for 2,822 yards and 26 touchdowns.
Before joining the Blue Bombers, Schoen had stints in the NFL with the Los Angeles Chargers, Kansas City Chiefs, and Washington Commanders. In college, he walked on at Kansas State before becoming a key target for the Wildcats. Over his collegiate career from 2017 to 2019, he recorded 92 receptions for 1,569 yards and nine touchdowns, earning multiple academic and athletic honours.