The Winnipeg Blue Bombers secured the biggest piece of its offence Thursday morning by re-signing starting quarterback Buck Pierce, who was set to become a free agent at midnight on Feb. 16. Terms of the contract were not disclosed.

In his second year in Winnipeg, after spending five seasons with B.C., the 30-year-old threw for a career-high 3,348 yards with 14 touchdowns and 18 interceptions as the Blue Bombers made it to the 99th Grey Cup. Pierce also rushed for 324 yards and touchdowns.

“We are thrilled that we were able to get a deal done with Buck who is a tremendous competitor on the field and a great ambassador for this organization in the community,” Bombers vice-president and general manager Joe Mack said in a statement.

“His experience and leadership is invaluable in our locker room and we look forward to having him return in 2012 and help our team compete for a Grey Cup championship.”

Mack’s contract was also extended Thursday. Mack was first with the Bombers from 1984 to 1987 as director of player personnel. He then left for a similar position in the NFL with the Washington Redskins, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers and Cleveland Browns. He has won both the Grey and Super Bowl in his front office career, and returned to Winnipeg as GM in 2010.

“Joe is an impeccable leader, a very smart football man and is driven by success,” said president and CEO Garth Buchko in another statement. “He has done great things with our roster and our football operations in his first two seasons with us.

“We are very pleased to get this deal done and continue to have Joe head-up our football operations for many years to come.”

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