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Ottawa Redblacks Trade Quarterback Dru Brown to Winnipeg, Name Jake Maier Starter
When Ottawa’s head coach turned the page on its quarterback situation, the city’s gridiron drama took a sharp turn. The Redblacks traded Dru Brown to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and named Jake Maier the team’s starting quarterback for the 2026 season.
The move followed Brown’s request for an outright release a month ago, the same day he learned he had been passed over for the starting role in favor of Maier. According to head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie, Brown’s request came after Dinwiddie explained that Maier would be the starter. Dinwiddie said, “When I made a decision to go with Jake and explained that to Dru, later that day, he wanted to talk, we had a chat, and he just asked for his release.” The Redblacks declined to honor the request, citing the investment they had made in Brown. Dinwiddie added that the team had been exploring alternatives and that a trade to Winnipeg, which offered a first‑round pick and a swap of second‑round selections, was the solution.
Brown’s trade to Winnipeg returns him to the franchise that originally drafted him in 2024. He had signed a two‑year deal with Ottawa in January after the Redblacks acquired his rights from the Blue Bombers for a fifth‑round draft pick. In Ottawa, Brown started 24 games, throwing for almost 6,500 yards, 32 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions. He also had a brief relief appearance in a preseason game against the Montreal Alouettes, completing seven of eight passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
In Ottawa’s preseason, Maier impressed in his debut against Montreal, completing 16 of 23 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. The offense struggled in the second exhibition game, but Dinwiddie said the team was looking for improvements in practice, not just the game. “We want to be able to push the ball down the field, and that’s one of the things that I think Jake allows us to do,” Dinwiddie said.
With Brown’s departure, the Redblacks added veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel‑Thompson, who will join the team next week after finishing the season with the Montreal Alouettes. Bethel‑Thompson, 37, has three Grey Cup rings and had previously won a championship with Ottawa in 2022. While Bethel‑Thompson’s arrival provides depth, the team’s backup for the upcoming game in Montreal will be 24‑year‑old rookie Bryson Barnes. Barnes spent four seasons at Utah and two at Utah State before joining Ottawa’s training camp roster in May. He had a single preseason relief appearance in which he completed 10 of 13 passes for 144 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Dinwiddie praised Barnes’ progress, saying, “Bryson got all the (second‑team) reps today, and he looked sharp. I think Bryson’s arrow’s up, he’s getting better each week he’s practised and he showed us a lot in the preseason.” He added that Barnes’ leg strength would be useful in short‑yardage situations.
The Redblacks’ roster changes also include the release of veteran right tackle Martez Ivey and the return of former Ottawa Gee‑Gees star Zach Pellehos to the offensive line. On the defensive side, receiver Geno Lewis is dealing with a shoulder issue, and the status of safety Alonzo Addae, defensive back Bennett Williams, and linebacker Brian Cole II will be monitored.
Maier, who was named the starter in a press release on May 28, said he is happy for Brown and wishes him well. “I love Dru, and I wish Dru the best,” Maier said. “I got to know his family pretty well in the last month or so. We’re going to be boys forever, as long as we’re both up here in this league, and then even beyond that.” He also expressed confidence in the depth plan, noting that “every great team in this league that is winning championships rolls into games with the ability to have a great depth plan at quarterback.”
The trade and the new depth chart set the stage for Ottawa’s first game of the regular season against the Montreal Alouettes. With Maier at the helm and Bethel‑Thompson expected to join next week, the Redblacks will rely on Barnes to back up the starter for the opening contest. The move underscores the Redblacks’ intent to secure a competitive quarterback situation while also building depth for the remainder of the season.
As the CFL season progresses, the Redblacks’ decision to trade Brown and name Maier starter will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. The team’s performance against the Alouettes, the integration of Bethel‑Thompson, and the development of rookie Barnes will all be key factors in Ottawa’s pursuit of a playoff berth.
The move followed Brown’s request for an outright release a month ago, the same day he learned he had been passed over for the starting role in favor of Maier. According to head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie, Brown’s request came after Dinwiddie explained that Maier would be the starter. Dinwiddie said, “When I made a decision to go with Jake and explained that to Dru, later that day, he wanted to talk, we had a chat, and he just asked for his release.” The Redblacks declined to honor the request, citing the investment they had made in Brown. Dinwiddie added that the team had been exploring alternatives and that a trade to Winnipeg, which offered a first‑round pick and a swap of second‑round selections, was the solution.
Brown’s trade to Winnipeg returns him to the franchise that originally drafted him in 2024. He had signed a two‑year deal with Ottawa in January after the Redblacks acquired his rights from the Blue Bombers for a fifth‑round draft pick. In Ottawa, Brown started 24 games, throwing for almost 6,500 yards, 32 touchdown passes and 20 interceptions. He also had a brief relief appearance in a preseason game against the Montreal Alouettes, completing seven of eight passes for 69 yards and two touchdowns.
In Ottawa’s preseason, Maier impressed in his debut against Montreal, completing 16 of 23 passes for 190 yards and two touchdowns. The offense struggled in the second exhibition game, but Dinwiddie said the team was looking for improvements in practice, not just the game. “We want to be able to push the ball down the field, and that’s one of the things that I think Jake allows us to do,” Dinwiddie said.
With Brown’s departure, the Redblacks added veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel‑Thompson, who will join the team next week after finishing the season with the Montreal Alouettes. Bethel‑Thompson, 37, has three Grey Cup rings and had previously won a championship with Ottawa in 2022. While Bethel‑Thompson’s arrival provides depth, the team’s backup for the upcoming game in Montreal will be 24‑year‑old rookie Bryson Barnes. Barnes spent four seasons at Utah and two at Utah State before joining Ottawa’s training camp roster in May. He had a single preseason relief appearance in which he completed 10 of 13 passes for 144 yards and a rushing touchdown.
Dinwiddie praised Barnes’ progress, saying, “Bryson got all the (second‑team) reps today, and he looked sharp. I think Bryson’s arrow’s up, he’s getting better each week he’s practised and he showed us a lot in the preseason.” He added that Barnes’ leg strength would be useful in short‑yardage situations.
The Redblacks’ roster changes also include the release of veteran right tackle Martez Ivey and the return of former Ottawa Gee‑Gees star Zach Pellehos to the offensive line. On the defensive side, receiver Geno Lewis is dealing with a shoulder issue, and the status of safety Alonzo Addae, defensive back Bennett Williams, and linebacker Brian Cole II will be monitored.
Maier, who was named the starter in a press release on May 28, said he is happy for Brown and wishes him well. “I love Dru, and I wish Dru the best,” Maier said. “I got to know his family pretty well in the last month or so. We’re going to be boys forever, as long as we’re both up here in this league, and then even beyond that.” He also expressed confidence in the depth plan, noting that “every great team in this league that is winning championships rolls into games with the ability to have a great depth plan at quarterback.”
The trade and the new depth chart set the stage for Ottawa’s first game of the regular season against the Montreal Alouettes. With Maier at the helm and Bethel‑Thompson expected to join next week, the Redblacks will rely on Barnes to back up the starter for the opening contest. The move underscores the Redblacks’ intent to secure a competitive quarterback situation while also building depth for the remainder of the season.
As the CFL season progresses, the Redblacks’ decision to trade Brown and name Maier starter will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike. The team’s performance against the Alouettes, the integration of Bethel‑Thompson, and the development of rookie Barnes will all be key factors in Ottawa’s pursuit of a playoff berth.
