“He’s one of the best linebackers I’ve ever seen,” head coach Mike O’Shea said. “But no one’s job is to go in and replace him. Their job is to go in and play like they can play. So we’ll be good.”

They’ll be hard-pressed to be as good as they have been the last little while.

With Bighill calling the shots, telling teammates where to go based on what only he can see and anticipate, the Winnipeg defence has been the CFL’s best.