Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chase Artopoeus has retired after one season in the Canadian Football League.
The 25-year-old spent the 2025 season in the Manitoba capital, he dressed five games with the Blue and Gold.
So grateful to have played the sport and position I love for a long time. Recently, after a lot of thinking and looking towards the future, I took a step back and decided to officially step away and retire from the CFL, Artopoeus wrote on Instagram.
Am very thankful to everyone along the way that impacted my career in one way or another. It’s been an up and down ride definitely, but I still believe that type of ride to be the best kind!
Lastly, I’m very fortunate to have the opportunity to stay around the game and coach some of the best QBs in the Chattanooga area and across the country. Being able to do so made this decision one that brings tons of excitement! Can’t wait for what is to come!
Artopoeus signed with the Bombers in May last year after a six-year collegiate career with UCLA (2019-2022) and Tennessee-Chattanooga (2023-2024).
He started 15 games during his time with the Mocs, completing 61 percent of his passes for 3,730 yards with 23 touchdowns versus nine interceptions. The Orcutt, CA native rushed 76 times for 152 yards with four touchdowns.
The six-foot-one, 206-pound QB started his collegiate career with UCLA under Chip Kelly and saw action in two games during the 2022 season after spending his first three seasons on the scout and travel team.
Winnipeg was active in CFL free agency, signing receivers Tommy Nield and Tim White, offensive lineman Jarell Broxton, defensive lineman Jake Ceresna, linebacker Jovan Santos-Knox, and defensive back Jonathan Moxey. The team also suffered a few departures, including receiver Keric Wheatfall (Hamilton Tiger-Cats) and defensive lineman James Vaughters (Saskatchewan Roughriders). Jake Thomas, the team’s longest-tenured player, retired to become its defensive line coach.
The Blue Bombers hold the fourth overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7:00 p.m. EDT. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on Sunday, May 10. Winnipeg will play its first preseason game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders on Saturday, May 23 and its regular-season game against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, June 5.
In 2025, the Bombers finished fourth in the West Division standings with a 10-8 record, qualifying for the playoffs as the crossover team before losing the East Semi-Final to the Montreal Alouettes.
