Running back Peterson embraces competition at Bombers training camp
Matthew Peterson was in Kananaskis, Alta., for his honeymoon last month when his alarm went off at 9:30 a.m.
When he opened his phone, his Instagram had blown up, and he had a few missed phone calls. One was from his agent. The other was from Winnipeg Blue Bombers head coach Mike O’Shea.
“So then I got the (voicemail) and I listened to it right away, and I was like, ‘Something big just happened,’” Peterson recalled.
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Running back Matthew Peterson takes a hand off from quarterback Zach Collaros at Winnipeg Blue Bombers training camp Monday.
His wife, Kalie, confused, asked what had happened.
Peterson told her he had been traded to Winnipeg.
The 24-year-old running back was one of the key pieces in a deal on the morning of the CFL draft, which included Winnipeg and Hamilton swapping picks in the CFL and global drafts, respectively, while the Bombers received Peterson and the Ti-Cats received Canadian defensive lineman Kyle Samson.
Peterson was drafted by Hamilton in the fourth round, 36th overall of the 2024 draft, but never played a down for the Tabbies.
“I was never upset about getting traded,” he said. “To be quite honest, any opportunity to get out and play football, whether it’s here or anywhere else, that’s a great opportunity for me. So, I was happy.”
There is an opportunity for the young rusher with the Blue and Gold. While Brady Oliveira remains the bellwether and fellow newcomer Peyton Logan appears locked in as the change-of-pace option, Peterson is vying to earn a roster spot as a Canadian depth option.
“I was happy, because then that gives me another opportunity to play ball, and not just play ball, but play ball for Winnipeg,” he added. “And come out here in Winnipeg, experience the coaching staff, experience the players, and have that playoff experience from the vets that I can learn from. Honestly, it was a joy to me.”
Peterson was a standout at the University of Alberta. The 5-10, 210-pound back spent five years with the Golden Bears, rushing 477 times for 3,032 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 62 receptions for 583 yards for three majors.
MIKE DEAL / FREE PRESS Running back Matthew Peterson was added to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers roster the morning of the CFL draft.
Last year, he gave the Manitoba Bisons hell, in particular, rushing 39 times for 320 yards in two contests.
A north-south runner at his core, Peterson can surprise with his quick foot and breakaway speed.
He models his game after pro football Hall of Famer Earl Campbell, noting he loves the relentlessness and power he demonstrated throughout his legendary career. It’s a fitting role model, as Campbell was regarded for a punishing style that was powered by his massive legs.
Peterson might give Campbell a run for his money in that area. His best squat was 730 pounds for two reps.
“He’s way thicker than I remember,” said head coach Mike O’Shea, who watched Peterson anytime he visited the Bisons. “Like he’s,” O’Shea paused, “he’s a thick athlete.”
There’s another running back who’s caught Peterson’s eye since arriving in Winnipeg.
“I’ve been looking at Brady Oliveira,” he said. “He’s the best in the league for a reason, so I kind of just take little cues that he has, and I kind of just try to mould them to me.
“One of the things I’ve noticed that he’s really good at is patience, and that’s something that a running back needs — to be able to hold that backfield, and then when you see the hole, you hit it. That’s something that I’ve noticed, that I’m trying to apply to my game while I’m here being a professional. I think it’s something big to be able to stay patient, allow your blocks to develop and hit it right after.”
Ruth Bonneville / Free Press Running back Matthew Peterson (centre) spent five years with the University of Alberta Golden Bears, rushing 477 times for 3,032 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 62 receptions for 583 yards for three majors.
One thing Peterson doesn’t shy away from is competition. He’s embraced fighting for extra reps in practice, which should come easily to him after owning the lion’s share of touches in Alberta’s backfield last season despite the presence of another productive running back in Ope Oshinubi.
“Competition is competition. It doesn’t matter if it’s a wide receiver and I’m having to compete against him, it doesn’t matter if it’s a defensive back or a linebacker and having to compete against them. Competition is competition, regardless. And I’m here for it, and I love competition,” he said.
“I’m just gonna put my best foot forward and try to fulfill my role anyway I can. And not just that, but put my best foot forward, and my mentals, my physicals, and just trying to do what I can do, and be the best I can possibly be. And I think that’s good enough.”
joshua.frey-sam@freepress.mb.ca
Joshua Frey-Sam
Reporter
Josh Frey-Sam reports on sports and business at the Free Press. Josh got his start at the paper in 2022, just weeks after graduating from the Creative Communications program at Red River College. He reports primarily on amateur teams and athletes in sports. Read more about Josh.
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