Ottawa Redblacks sign QB Dru Brown to two-year deal

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For Dru Brown, signing a two-year deal to be with the Ottawa Redblacks is a new beginning, an opportunity to take his CFL career to the next level.

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The Redblacks announced Wednesday they have signed the 26-year-old quarterback to a two-year contract. They acquired Brown from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers late last week in return for a fifth-round selection in this year’s CFL Draft. With the trade, the Redblacks had exclusive negotiating rights with Brown, who was scheduled to become a free agent on Feb. 13.

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Brown will be paid $286,000 hard money this season, with another $54,000 in playtime incentives, with the potential to earn $340,000 total. In 2025, it’ll rise to $355,000, with $45,000 in playtime ($400,000 potentially).

“To lead a team is something I’ve obviously wanted,” said Brown. “I’m filled with excitement and I’m ready to get to work. You can only play for one team at a time so I wasn’t really looking for a bunch of different suitors. I wanted a team that believed in me as a player and as a person and an organization that has good people. As I got to talk with (general manager) Shawn (Burke), Coach (Bob) Dyce and (offensive co-ordinator) Tommy Condell, you quickly realize there are good people (here), people I look forward to building relationships with.

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“I’m sure there are expectations, but I don’t pay much attention to them. It’s a slippery road you can go down. What matters is getting better, as simple as that sounds. Be good at what you do, move the ball and put it in the end zone.”

Brown had moved up on Blue Bombers’ depth chart to No. 2 behind Zach Collaros. Last season, Brown was very good, winning both his starts and completing 69.7 per cent of his passes for 983 yards and nine touchdowns against zero interceptions, setting a CFL record for the most TD passes without an interception.

“I knew it was a different game when I came (to the CFL),” said Brown. “I didn’t want to show up and have an ego that I was too good. I had a really good mentor with Zach. I had great coaches that were able to give me an environment to learn, make mistakes and learn from them. I had the time to develop. I saw it as that versus being upset I wasn’t on the field.

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“(Collaros) told me physically I have what it takes. He told me just to be genuine. I’ve been in enough programs and organizations to understand being genuine to who you are is really important.”

Brown, who won a Grey Cup with the Bombers in 2021, has a strong belief in what he can do to contribute to the success of a football team.

“There’s a confidence, for sure. It’s kind of who I am,” he said. “It’s not necessarily from being a part of (the Bombers). It’s more the amount of time and effort spent on myself and in improving. I think fairly high of myself as far as my skillset. But I’m also humble enough to understand there’s a mentality and growth. You never know it all. I look forward to the opportunity to continue to get better. If things are done right with the right people, then one thing leads to another and that typically results in success.”

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Over the past four seasons, the Redblacks have won just 14 games, going 4-14 last year. As the team heads into free agency, there’s renewed hope maybe the team can turn the corner in 2024.

“In pro sports, everyone has talent,” said Brown. “It comes down to having a few of the right pieces, the right people in the building and building chemistry within the building. That’s what you see with teams that have been good for a long time – genuine people that care about winning and in the process of what it takes to win. (The Redblacks) are taking strides to make that happen. I’m hopeful I can be a little piece of the puzzle.”

While Brown is expected to get the first opportunity to be Ottawa’s starting quarterback, the Redblacks also have Jeremiah Masoli, Dustin Crum and Tyrie Adams under contract.

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Learning under Collaros, who has become a good friend, has been huge as Brown takes the next step.

“As our relationship started, it was very much him being my mentor,” said Brown. “He put his arm around me and showed me the ropes. He loves football, I love football so we hit it off from the beginning. We became really close friends. He’s been a huge part in my development as a player and as a leader.”

There’s also the fact Collaros worked under Condell as a young quarterback in Hamilton.

“A lot of things Zach still loves to do is stuff he did with Tommy,” said Brown. “So when I spoke with Tommy, it kind of felt like I already knew him a bit. I’ve watched tape of his system. I think it’s going to be a pretty seamless transition. The list of guys he’s worked with and the success they’ve had is long.”

Asked about his strengths as a QB, Brown, whose off-season home is in Oklahoma, said: “Being able to move around a bit and extend plays, being able to get the ball where it needs to be, getting the ball in space to guys who are good with it. If you ask anybody I’ve worked with, I’m willing to sacrifice a lot of time and effort to prepare in order to make that happen.”

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