WINNIPEG – Willie Jefferson is too old and wise to fall into the rookie trap.
Even though 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 want to take that lightly because when you take people lightly, that’s when you let them do things that you don’t expect.”
Lions head coach Buck Pierce gave Salter the start after the 23-year-old Texas native added a 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 completed nine of 15 pass attempts for 121 yards and ran four times for 12 yards.
“You look at Kaidon, I think he plays with some moxie,” Pierce told reporters after a practice earlier this week.
“I think he plays with a little bit of confidence back there as well, too. He allows his guys to go out there and play football.”
Brice, who made his first CFL start against Toronto, will back up Salter as starter Nathan Rourke remains out with a shoulder injury from a July 17 game.
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Salter played four 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 2,876 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 year.
He then transferred to Colorado to play under head coach Deion Sanders. He dressed in nine games, passing for 1,414 yards with 10 TDs and rushing for 356 yards, but wasn’t selected in the NFL draft.
Salter was signed by B.C. in May and got 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 opportunity.
“I’m a rookie, a younger guy, but I’ve played a lot of football over my years,” Salter said.
He also got a pep talk last weekend from his cousin, Casey Printers. The former B.C. quarterback had two stints with the Lions and was named the league’s most outstanding player in 2004 after passing for 5,008 yards and 35 TDs.
“He was just telling me how fast things can go and how fast things can happen,” Salter said of Printers. “He was telling me that I’m capable of playing in this league.”
Salter will have to be aware of 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.
However, 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 first time since 2015 the team gave up 50 points at home.
Winnipeg had six turnovers, including quarterback Dru Brown throwing four interceptions. It was his third consecutive start (2-1) in place of 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 short week between games.
“Any time you kind of lay an egg, the best thing to do is just get back out there,” he said.
Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea wants to see the offence come out sharper.
“That start itself is going to be a big indicator on whether you’re winning or losing,” he said. “As a coach, you’d like to see them take care of the football to start.
“They want to be more productive. It’s not just good enough to take two knees and punt all game. That’s not what we’re looking for. We’re looking for production, but you just can’t have it if you don’t have the ball.”
One of 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 going in for James Butler (foot).
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29, 2026.
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