Ottawa Redblacks looking for bargains heading into CFL free agency

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In the final days leading into CFL free agency, the Ottawa Redblacks are still window shopping.

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But there’s not much left on their Gotta-Get list; they’ll only be buying if the price is right.

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With CFL’s “legal tampering window” period ending Sunday at noon and free agency beginning at noon Tuesday, the Redblacks have already spent much of their $5.585-million salary cap with early additions and raises eating up a good chunk.

The latest signing is defensive back Money Hunter, who was limited to four games a year ago after tearing a pectoral muscle in a pre-season scrimmage. In 2022, Hunter had 38 tackles and four interceptions in 12 games with the Redblacks.

Asked if his team was better than it was a year ago, when Ottawa finished with a 4-14 record, Redblacks general manager Shawn Burke said: “We’re addressing areas of need and layering in depth. Time will tell. It’s not about winning in February, it’s what you show from June through November. No GM or head coach is going into this saying, ‘I want to make my team weaker.’ ”

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Many players have already come to agreements to move to new teams, but contracts can’t officially be signed until Tuesday unless the player has been released. The CFL introduced the tampering window in 2020 so teams could “legally” talk to players in advance of free agency.

“I like it,” said Burke. “It gives you a chance talk to players talk about your situation, you can get to know them better. This way, it feels like it’s a choice on both sides, instead of an agent just putting together, ‘This is what you have to pay him,’ without knowing the player and the player knowing you.”

Earlier this week, the Redblacks signed strong-side linebacker/defensive back Adarius Pickett to a one-year contract reportedly worth $170,000. Because he was released by the Toronto Argonauts, the Redblacks have completed the deal. 

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Ottawa had already traded for, then signed, quarterback Dru Brown, and got a two-year deal done with receiver Dominique Rhymes, who had been released by the BC Lions. Both are significant additions.

Brown, who will go into training camp as the team’s starting quarterback, provides stability the team didn’t have a year ago when Jeremiah Masoli, who missed much of the past two seasons with injuries, wasn’t ready to play until early July (then ruptured his Achilles tendon in his first game back). Also listed on the Redblacks’ quarterback depth chart are Dustin Crum, who started much of last year, Tyrie Adams (torn ACL), Jake Dunniway and Tyrrelle Pigrome. Nick Arbuckle is a free agent and won’t be back.

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). He had moved up on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ depth chart to No. 2 behind Zach Collaros. Brown won both his starts, completing 69.7 per cent of his passes for 983 yards and nine touchdowns with no interceptions.

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Masoli got a $45,000 signing bonus, giving him $133,800 in hard money (with up to $90,000 more in playtime incentives). If all goes well with Brown, Masoli won’t earn much more than the base salary.

Rhymes, who began his career as a Redblack, will be paid about $195,000 this season, coming off three seasons with the Lions. He had a career year in 2022 when he had 1,401 yards on 85 receptions, scoring 11 touchdowns and was a division all-star. 

The Redblacks got deals done with several potential free agents. Among those returning: Defensive linemen Bryce Carter, Lorenzo Mauldin IV and Michael Wakefield; defensive backs Justin Howell, Brandin Dandridge and Damon Webb; receiver Bralon Addison; and linebacker Frankie Griffin. Returner/receiver DeVonte Dedmon will return with a renegotiated deal.

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Another significant move: The Redblacks cut guard Jacob Ruby before he was scheduled to receive a Feb. 1 bonus of $20,000. He would have been paid $197,500 this season. The Redblacks signed Dariusz Bladek to replace him. 

“Unfortunately in the salary cap world, you have to make some decisions,” said Burke. “There was a player on the market that fit in better with how we’re building our team. Dariusz has been a great player in this league and he’s much cheaper.”

Among those who will be gone from last year’s team: Receiver Nate Behar (with the team paying a $30,000 guarantee from a $140,000 contract), linebacker Adam Auclair (who has signed with Saskatchewan), running back Ante Milanovic-Litre (Hamilton) and receiver Savon Scarver (Toronto).

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“I can’t say enough about Adam,” said Burke. “We had communication throughout this offseason. We told him where we were at with things and he definitely wanted to pursue more of an ability to be the starter from Day 1. When you get that chance, the pay reflects it and when you have a salary cap, you have to make certain decisions, tough ones, of how money is being allocated.”

It seems likely the Redblacks will start four American receivers; Behar’s spot in the lineup could be taken by Keaton Bruggeling, Daniel Perry or Daniel Oladejo, who will each be paid significantly less money.

The Redblacks, who are expected to announce their coaching staff early in the week, added three defensive backs Friday: Abu Daramy-Swaray (Colgate), D.J. Stirgus (Missouri Western State) and Elijah Jones (Oregon State).

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