Ottawa's REDBLACKS are keeping one of the CFL's best receivers in the nation's capital, as the team officially announced that All-CFL wide receiver Justin Hardy has re-signed with the club.
A Standout Season Earns a New Deal
Hardy's return comes off the back of a standout campaign that earned him All-CFL honours, one of the league's most prestigious individual recognitions. The designation is reserved for the best players at each position across the entire Canadian Football League, making Hardy's inclusion a testament to the consistency and big-play ability he brought to Ottawa's offence.
While full contract details were not disclosed, the re-signing is a clear signal that the REDBLACKS' front office views Hardy as a cornerstone piece of the team's offensive identity moving forward.
What Hardy Brings to the REDBLACKS
Hardy has established himself as a reliable target who can win at every level of the field. His ability to create separation, make contested catches, and turn short gains into chunk plays made him one of the most productive receivers in the league. For Ottawa's quarterback room, having a proven pass-catcher of Hardy's calibre is an enormous asset.
In a league where receiver depth can make or break an offence, locking up an All-CFL talent before free agency opens gives Ottawa a significant advantage in roster building for the 2026 season.
Ottawa's Offseason Taking Shape
For REDBLACKS fans in Ottawa, Hardy's return is exactly the kind of news that generates optimism heading into the new CFL season. After years of rebuilding, the organization has been making targeted moves to surround their core players with proven talent, and keeping Hardy in the fold fits squarely into that philosophy.
TD Place at Lansdowne Park has seen its share of highs and lows, but a roster move like this one gives the fanbase something to rally around. Hardy's presence means Ottawa's passing game enters 2026 with a legitimate top-end weapon that opposing defences will have to account for on every snap.
What's Next
With Hardy locked in, attention now turns to the rest of Ottawa's offseason roster moves. CFL free agency typically opens in February, and the REDBLACKS will be looking to address depth at several positions. Hardy's re-signing removes one major question mark from the receiving corps and sets a tone for the front office's intentions this offseason.
Expect head coach and team management to build around Hardy as a primary target as they continue to shape a squad capable of contending in the East Division.
Source: Ottawa REDBLACKS official announcement via Google News. Stay tuned to ottown.ca for ongoing REDBLACKS coverage throughout the 2026 CFL season.
