Ottawa RedBlacks Have Their QB1
Ottawa RedBlacks fans have been waiting for clarity at quarterback, and they finally have it — Jake Maier is the guy.
Maier, a 28-year-old pivot with a proven CFL track record, has won the starting job ahead of Dru Brown after an open competition in training camp. It's a significant shake-up for a RedBlacks offence looking to take a step forward after a turbulent stretch of seasons at the position.
Who Is Jake Maier?
If you haven't been watching closely, here's the quick rundown: Maier spent four seasons with the Calgary Stampeders from 2021 to 2024, starting 45 games and establishing himself as a reliable, experienced starter in the CFL's Western Division. He brings a composed pocket presence and a solid arm that made him one of the more attractive free-agent quarterbacks available this off-season.
Before landing in Ottawa, Maier made two starts with the Saskatchewan Roughriders last season, adding yet another chapter of in-game experience under pressure to his résumé. When the RedBlacks came calling in February with a free-agent offer, Maier signed — and clearly came ready to compete.
What It Means for Dru Brown
Dru Brown had been the RedBlacks' signal-caller in recent seasons and would have entered camp expecting to hold onto the reins. Losing the job to Maier is a tough blow, but competition at the quarterback position is ultimately healthy for a franchise trying to rebuild its identity.
Brown remains on the roster as the backup, which means Ottawa has genuine depth at the position — something the organization has sometimes lacked in recent memory.
A Key Move for Ottawa's Offence
The RedBlacks have been working hard to stabilize their roster and give fans at TD Place something to get excited about. Landing a quarterback who has started over 45 CFL games is a meaningful building block. Maier knows what it takes to run an offence at this level, and his experience in Calgary's system — one of the league's more successful franchises — could translate well to Ottawa's scheme.
For fans who've watched the RedBlacks cycle through quarterbacks in recent years, having a seasoned veteran with a legitimate body of work is a welcome change. It gives the coaching staff a known commodity to build game plans around, and gives skill-position players a consistent target to develop chemistry with.
Eyes on TD Place
All eyes will now turn to how Maier performs when the regular season kicks off. Ottawa supporters have reason to be cautiously optimistic — Maier is a legitimate starter, not a stopgap, and his arrival signals that the front office is serious about competing.
It's going to be an interesting season on the Rideau.
Source: Ottawa Citizen — How Jake Maier unseated Dru Brown as starting QB for Ottawa RedBlacks
