Ottawa's Redblacks Are Ready to Win Again
Ottawa football is buzzing with a familiar confidence this CFL season, and the Redblacks are making no secret of their ambitions. "We expect to win every single day, like it used to be, but it's more energetic," one player said — and that attitude, combined with a schedule that front-loads some winnable matchups, has the capital's football faithful cautiously excited.
After a few tough years that tested the patience of even the most loyal ByTown supporters, the Redblacks are entering the 2026 season with a roster that looks hungry and a coaching staff determined to recapture the winning culture that made this franchise a Grey Cup contender.
A Schedule Built for a Fast Start
One of the unsung factors in any CFL team's season is timing — who you play early and when you catch opponents at their most vulnerable. This year, Ottawa's schedule features a stretch of early games against teams that are themselves in rebuilding mode or dealing with roster uncertainty.
That kind of opportunity doesn't come around every season. For a team trying to reestablish its identity and get young players meaningful reps in winning situations, starting 3-1 or 4-1 out of the gate can change everything — from locker room chemistry to fan attendance at TD Place.
The Vibe Is Different This Off-Season
Talk to anyone connected to the Redblacks right now and the word you hear most is energy. Training camp had a different feel. Players who have been around for a few seasons describe a sharpness and a sense of purpose that wasn't always present during the rougher stretches of recent years.
That intangible shift matters more than people give it credit for. CFL seasons are a grind — 18 regular season games crammed into a tight window, with cross-country travel and short turnarounds testing every team's depth. The clubs that sustain a winning mindset through adversity are the ones who end up in November with something to play for.
What Ottawa Fans Should Watch For
The early weeks of the season will tell a lot. Ottawa fans should pay attention to how the offence moves the ball in the first quarter of games — sustained drives that eat clock and put points on the board early have historically been a hallmark of successful Redblacks teams.
Defensively, stopping the run and generating turnovers will be key. The Eastern Division is competitive, and every point of separation from Montreal and Toronto matters when playoff seeding comes into play.
TD Place, when it's loud and packed, is one of the better atmospheres in the CFL. Ottawa fans showing up early and creating energy from the opening kickoff can genuinely shift momentum — something the team will be counting on as they chase their first winning season in recent memory.
The Window Is Open
The Redblacks aren't just hoping for a turnaround — they're planning for one. A friendly early schedule is an opportunity, not a guarantee, but this team looks ready to take advantage of it. Ottawa football is back, and if the pieces fall into place, 2026 could be the year the Redblacks remind the league what they're capable of.
Source: Ottawa Citizen