Evaluating the Ottawa Redblacks lineup post-2026 CFL free agency moves

Ottawa Redblacks 2026 free agency recap and depth chart overview

The Ottawa Redblacks have had a busy offseason, making several impactful signings following a disappointing 2025 campaign. Vice president of football operations Shawn Burke and newly hired general manager/head coach Ryan Dinwiddie are showing early signs of a productive partnership in reshaping the roster.

Key offseason moves

• Ottawa signed 12 players who suited up for other CFL teams last season, including four from the Grey Cup champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.

• The team added five new starters on defense:

  • DE Habakkuk Baldonado

  • WLB A.J. Allen

  • MLB Nyles Morgan

  • SLB C.J. Reavis

  • Boundary corner Demerio Houston

• Field-side cornerback remains competitive. C.J. Coldon, who started last season, will face pressure from Shakur Brown, while Canadians King Ambers and Eric Cumberbatch could also play key roles.

• Halfback depth includes Amari Henderson, recovering from a torn ACL, who could compete with Mark Milton if healthy.

• The offense has added dynamic weapons, including RB Greg Bell and receiver Ayden Eberhardt. The receiving corps now features Eugene Lewis, Justin Hardy, Kalil Pimpleton, Keelan White, and newcomer Eberhardt. Speedster Andy Isabella adds a big-play element with his 4.31 40-yard dash speed.

Offensive line considerations

• QB Dru Brown will need protection to leverage the team’s new offensive weapons.

• Incumbent RG Dariusz Bladek, recovering from a season-ending injury, must fend off challenges from Gregor MacKellar and Zack Pelehos.

• Pelehos could start at RT, but Martez Ivey may regain his 2024 form and compete for starting duties, aided by the team’s ratio flexibility.

Return game

• With Pimpleton moving full-time to receiver, Ottawa needs return specialists to fill the void left by DeVonte Dedmon’s departure to Montreal.

Free agency breakdown

Re-signed players

• RB Daniel Adeboboye (N)

• REC Justin Hardy (A)

• OL Dariusz Bladek (N)

• OL Dino Boyd (A)

• DL Aidan John (N)

• DL Blessman Ta’ala (G)

• DL Michael Wakefield (A)

• LB Lucas Cormier (N)

• LB James Peter (N)

• DB Adrian Frye (A)

• DB Amari Henderson (A)

• DB Bennett Williams (A)

Practice roster re-signings

• RB Elijah Collins (A)

• REC Latreal Jones (A)

• REC Robert Lewis (A)

• DL Jessie Evans (A)

• DL Deionte Knight (N)

• LB Jamie Pettway (A)

• DB King Ambers (N)

New free agent signings

• QB Jake Maier (A)

• RB Greg Bell (A)

• REC Ayden Eberhardt (A)

• OL Martez Ivey (A)

• OL Gregor MacKellar (N)

• DL Habakkuk Baldonado (G)

• DL Dylan Wynn (A)

• LB A.J. Allen (N)

• LB Michael Brodrique (N)

• DB C.J. Reavis (A)

• DB Demerio Houston (A)

• DB Scott Hutter (N)

Not re-signed / departed

• QB Dustin Crum (A) → Montreal Alouettes

• QB Matthew Shiltz (A) → retired

• QB Tyrie Adams (A) → free agent

• RB William Stanback (A) → free agent

• REC Bralon Addison (A) → free agent

• REC Luther Hakunavanhu (N) → free agent

• OL David Knevel (N) → free agent

• OL Jacob Ruby (N) → free agent

• OL Eric Starczala (N) → free agent

• DL Kene Onyeka (N) → Hamilton Tiger-Cats

• DL Nigel Romick (N) → free agent

• LB Frankie Griffin (A) → free agent

• LB Jonathan Jones (A) → free agent

• LB Les Maruo (G) → free agent

• LB Jovan Santos-Knox (A) → Winnipeg Blue Bombers

• LB Davion Taylor (A) → free agent

• LB Tyron Vrede (G) → Saskatchewan Roughriders

• DB Justin Howell (N) → free agent

• DB Deandre Lamont (A) → Winnipeg Blue Bombers

• DB Adarius Pickett (A) → Toronto Argonauts

• DB Robert Priester (A) → Toronto Argonauts

• KR DeVonte Dedmon (A) → Montreal Alouettes

• P Richie Leone (A) → free agent