REDBLACKS Reshape the Roster
Ottawa's CFL team, the REDBLACKS, announced a series of player transactions on February 13, continuing the club's off-season work to fine-tune its roster ahead of the 2026 Canadian Football League season. While the full details of each individual move weren't disclosed in the brief announcement, these kinds of transactions, which can include signings, releases, and practice roster adjustments, are a routine but critical part of how CFL franchises position themselves for a strong campaign.
What Transactions Mean for the Team
In the CFL, mid-winter transaction windows are when teams make some of their most important depth moves. Coaching staffs and front offices evaluate film from the previous season, identify gaps, and quietly add or shed players to get the roster closer to what they envision for training camp. February moves often include National and Import free agents, tryout signings, and the release of veterans whose contracts have run their course.
For REDBLACKS fans in Ottawa, each transaction is a clue about where the organization sees itself going, which positions need reinforcement, which players earned another look, and which relationships have run their course.
A Team in Building Mode
The REDBLACKS have been on a steady rebuild trajectory, and the front office under General Manager Shawn Burke has emphasized bringing in younger talent alongside experienced CFL veterans. Ottawa fans have watched the team navigate some difficult seasons, but there's genuine optimism around TD Place as the club works to return to the Grey Cup contention it enjoyed in its championship years.
These February 13 moves are part of that larger puzzle. Every signing, every release, and every practice-roster addition chips away at what the team will look like when players report to training camp later this spring.
What to Watch For
Ottawa football fans should keep an eye on a few key areas heading into the off-season:
- Quarterback depth: Securing the right backup behind the starter is always a priority in the CFL's physically demanding schedule.
- Offensive line reinforcements: Protecting the QB and creating running lanes has been a focus for the franchise in recent years.
- National talent: CFL rules require a minimum ratio of Canadian players, making National signings particularly valuable for roster flexibility.
Stay Tuned for Training Camp
With the 2026 CFL regular season on the horizon, the REDBLACKS will continue making moves through the spring. Training camp will be the first real test of how these transactions have shaped the team, and Ottawa fans will be eager to see which new faces make the final 46-man game-day roster.
For the latest updates on every REDBLACKS transaction, visit the team's official website or follow the club on social media.
Source: Ottawa REDBLACKS official news release via Google News, February 13, 2026.
