Jefferson agrees to 2-year extension with Blue Bombers

The defending champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers are keeping one of their best players on the roster.

The Blue Bombers have agreed to a two-year contract extension with star defensive lineman Willie Jefferson, the team announced Monday.

"As an organization, we are very excited to have Willie and his family return for another two seasons," general manager Kyle Walters said. "The talent he brings to the table and his ability to change football games speaks for itself, but what we have gotten to know over the past season is the person behind the player, and that is just as important to our football operations."

Jefferson, whose few NFL possibilities didn't materialize, is taking less money to stay in Winnipeg, according to Farhan Lalji of TSN.

The reigning Most Outstanding Defensive Player is coming off his best CFL season after posting career highs with 12 sacks and six forced fumbles in his first campaign in Winnipeg. He registered three sacks and two forced fumbles in the 107th Grey Cup to help the Blue Bombers to clinch their 11th title.

Jefferson, 29, has played six seasons in the CFL. He spent time with the Edmonton Eskimos (2014-15) and Saskatchewan Roughriders (2016-18) before signing a one-year deal with the Blue Bombers in 2019.

The three-time CFL All-Star has posted 43 sacks and 12 forced fumbles in 94 career games.