Former Auburn Tigers quarterback finds opportunity to continue playing career with clear path to success
Former Auburn Tigers QB Payton Thorne signs with the CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers, and there is a path to becoming the starting quarterback.
When a player doesn’t immediately find success in the NFL, there aren’t many options out there to continue their career. Now, the emergence of the UFL and various indoor leagues has made playing professional football much easier. The one place that has always been there is the CFL up in Canada.
After spending some time with the Cincinnati Bengals, former Auburn Tigers quarterback Payton Thorne chose to pursue his professional career in the CFL. The Winnipeg Blue Bombers announced they have signed Thorne to a deal.
Payton Thorne signs with CFL’s Winnipeg Blue Bombers
Thorne was in college for six years, spending four years with the Michigan State Spartans before playing his final two years with the Tigers. He went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft and spent training camp with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Thorne is the kind of player that the CFL has targeted for years. He’s slightly undersized and mobile, and the CFL thrives with those quarterbacks. Doug Flutie spent nearly a decade in the CFL and is considered by many as the league’s best player ever.
Blue Bombers quarterback options go beyond Payton Thorne
Thorne found a perfect place to land with the Blue Bombers. They have Zach Collaros as the starting quarterback, but he’s getting up there in age. The Blue Bombers have done a great job of finding multiple potential options to take over as the starting quarterback when he eventually hangs it up.
They have the UFL’s 2024 Most Valuable Player in Bryce Perkins, as well as the rights to U Sports (Canada’s NCAA) star Taylor Elgersma, who participated in the Senior Bowl this past year. Having multiple options is good for the Blue Bombers, as they are very active in trying to find Collaros’s successor.
For the time being, Thorne could be used as the short-yardage quarterback. In the CFL, they have one quarterback come in to run the short-yardage plays, and Thorne is used to running the football.
It’s not a guarantee that Thorne will be the future in Winnipeg, but he’s got a chance to grow and develop with a championship organization.
Payton Thorne’s Background, Stats
- Payton Thorne was a four-year starter in college. He spent three seasons at Michigan State before transferring to Auburn for his final two seasons.
- Thorne had his best season in 2021 (Michigan State), recording 3,240 passing yards, 27 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions
- In his last season with Auburn, Thorne recorded 2,713 passing yards, 21 touchdowns, and nine interceptions.
- He went undrafted in the 2025 NFL Draft, spending some time with the Cincinnati Bengals.
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