After reaching the CFL playoffs last year for the first time since 2018, the Ottawa Redblacks are focused on taking the next step.
The building blocks for the upcoming season are being laid down at training camp on campus at Queens University in Kingston, Ont., and the foundation starts at quarterback. After his first full season with the Redblacks the team will once again turn to Dru Brown to lead the offence.
"There’s just comfort now," general manager Shawn Burke said from campin a phone interview. "Everything’s not new anymore. He knows the playbook, he knows the guys around him. You saw the progression last year. His leadership is steady."
Brown was limited to 15 games last year due to injury but provided the Redblacks with the most consistent play under centre since Trevor Harris led the offence from 2016-18.
Brown completed 312 passes for 3,959 yards and 18 touchdowns in the regular season, then completed a playoff-record 46 passes for 476 yards and three touchdowns in Ottawa's loss to eventual Grey Cup champion Toronto in the East Division final.
The Redblacks extended Brown through 2026, but wanted to ensure proper depth should something happen. Ottawa added seven-year veteran Matt Shiltz to its quarterback room where he will be joined by Dustin Crum and Tyree Adams, who will be battling to move up the depth chart.
"It’s a big camp for Tyree,” Burke said. “Last year, he missed most of it with injury, and that limited his chances. Now he’s getting the reps he needs, and we’re eager to see where he fits."
Last season Burke and head coach Bob Dyce identified a need to have a more physical run game and made a key addition signing bruising rusher William Stanback.
"William’s looked great so far," Burke said. "We want to be a physical football team, and that starts with the run game. We talked about it a lot after last season. It needed to be better. William and (Canadian running back) Daniel Adeboboye give us a solid one-two punch.”
Stanback’s signing was just one piece of a larger effort to solidify the Redblacks offence. The team turned heads after signing Eugene Lewis, a three-time 1,000-yard receiver.
"When a guy like Geno (Lewis) wants to come to your team, it says something," Burke said. "His energy, his professionalism, it’s impressive to watch every day. He wanted to be here. We’ve talked before in free agency, and it finally lined up."
Lewis joins an already impressive cast. The Redblacks announced Monday they had re-signed Kalil Pimpleton to an extension through the 2027 season. With veterans Justin Hardy, who had 1,343 receiving yards, and Bralon Addison, the Redblacks are looking to be a force in the East Division.
The offensive line, often a source of instability in recent years, is shaping into a dependable unit.
Dino Boyd will be returning from injury and handle duties at left tackle, while Zack Pelehos, a product of the University of Ottawa, has solidified his role on the right side. Veteran guards Drew Desjarlais and Dariusz Bladek will flank centre Peter Godber
“Continuity matters,” said Burke. “Five guys working as one. And now we’ve got that blend of experience and youth. I like the identity this line is starting to form.”
For the seventh straight season Lewis Ward will anchor the kicking game. The 32-year-old has been one of the league’s most consistent performers.
"I can tell you without a doubt, it's a great asset," Burke said. "Just to know Lewis is going to be back there, you know what you're going to get out of him. The team doesn't blink when he goes out there, when the game's on the line and just who he is as a person and a leader for the organization. You know it's something that I don't take for granted."
The Redblacks open their pre-season next week when they take on the Montreal Alouettes.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 16, 2025.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press
