Former Packers QB situation takes unexpected turn as career resurgence now set to happen elsewhere in 2026
Taylor Elgersma signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, in Canada, because the Birmingham Stallions couldn’t get him a work visa to play in the United States.
Taylor Elgersma was ready to make another run at succeeding in American football, but he ended up going back to Canada after all. The former Green Bay Packers quarterback had visa issues and couldn’t play the UFL season for the Birmingham Stallions, so he signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to play in the Canadian Football League.
International issues
Born in London, Ontario, Taylor Elgersma played college football in Canada at Wilfrid Laurier, but signed with the Green Bay Packers last year. He didn’t make the roster or the practice squad, though. After signing with the Stallions, a minor league team, getting a work visa became a bigger issue.
“I’ve got a lot of things to say about it, I’m just going to leave it as it’s something you should probably ask the league about,” said Stallions head coach and former professional QB AJ McCarron in an interview with Birmingham Sport last week. “It’s been a nightmare to deal with and I’ve gone as a GM, head coach, and now an immigration officer, having to do a lot of things. I’m trying as much as I can. I have everybody on it that I know, for me to call Senator Tuberville and work with the State of Alabama.”
The Stallions have already played three games this season, with a win and two losses. Matt Corral is the starting quarterback, with Donovan Smith and Michael Hiers as the backups.
Back to the North
Undrafted in the NFL, Elgersma was selected by the Blue Bombers in the second round of the CFL draft in 2025, with the 18th overall pick. Because he played Canadian football in college, with its different rules, getting back to that even at a professional level will likely be easier. Usually, American quarterbacks take some time to adapt to the larger field, 12 players on offense, and forward motion before the snap.
The former Packer will have plenty of competition for a job in Winnipeg, though. The roster already has five other quarterbacks, including Zach Collaros, who played college football at Cincinnati and signed with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers back in 2012. Now a veteran, he’s been in the CFL since 2012, with three Grey Cup championships and names the league’s most outstanding player (equivalent to the MVP) in 2021 and 2022. The other QBs are Bryce Perkins, Terry Wilson, Bryce Perkins, and Payton Thorne.
In 2025, Taylor Elgersma played three preseason games for the Packers. He completed 16 of 23 passes for 166 yards, a TD, and no interceptions, with a 104.6 passer rating.
“I thought there were a lot of good things that he did. Obviously, he led us on a couple of scoring drives,” head coach Matt LaFleur said after the Indianapolis Colts game. “I do think there were a couple of times where he put the ball in jeopardy in some tough situations, and we got bailed out by a penalty on the defense. So, I think there’s a lot to like, but also a lot to learn from.”
Elgersma spent three months on the Packers’ roster, and now he gets a chance to show what he’s capable of in his own country.