OTTAWA — In a season that fell so far from expectations, relief was among a number of emotions for the Ottawa Redblacks with the season now over.
The Redblacks went a franchise worst 1-17 as defensive co-ordinator Will Fields was fired on Aug. 1, vice-president of football operations Shawn Burke was let go on Aug. 17 and president Adrian Scarra no longer had his post by Aug. 23.
On the field, they had three different starting quarterbacks, with rookie Bryson Barnes picking up the lone win in a start against Toronto in Week 17. They finished the season with 18 players on the six-game injured list and eight on the one-game IL.
“You have a lot of emotions coming out of a season like this,” admitted receiver Kalil Pimpleton, who broke a CFL record with 1,834 kickoff return yards in a single season. “You come out mad, you come out sad, you come out happy over the fact it’s over.”
Numerous players talked about it being a season like nothing previously experienced. And yet, there remains optimism for what’s ahead.
“No one wants to feel this feeling ever again,” said linebacker Nyles Morgan. “With this type of season the upside is it’s only up from here, truly. And obviously, we want to be more than just up. We want to be in a championship one day.”
Morgan is set to become a free agent but said he would be interested in returning to Ottawa.
Earlier this week, the Redblacks announced the hiring of Mike Morreale as president. Morreale has plenty of work ahead, not the least of which is considering his head coach and general manager.
Ryan Dinwiddie was signed to a three-year contract last season to the dual roles, in addition to being the offensive co-ordinator.
Dinwiddie was supposed to be the one to help kick-start the rebuild, but now Morreale needs to decide if he’s the right man to lead the charge.
While it’s early for self-reflection, Dinwiddie admitted there’s lots to look at including his play calling and management of the team and games.
“It starts today,” he said of his evaluation. “We’ve got to focus on things we can correct to get better.”
Dinwiddie said he and Morreale had lunch but it was more of an introduction for the two, and understands that when you go 1-17 everything will be evaluated.
“I plan on being here,” said Dinwiddie. “I want to turn this thing around, right? I don’t want to be out of here and not have the opportunity to get one more shot at it.”
Dinwiddie bristled when asked if he felt he took on too many roles.
“I’ve been a co-ordinator and head for years, and I’ve been pretty darn good at it, right?”, said Dinwiddie. “So I believe in that. But the GM title, you know, if they kind of change that, it’s not going to change my workload at all. But you know I get that.”
Decisions will need to be made on a number of players. In addition to Morgan, linebacker Lucas Cormier, veteran fullback Anthony Gosselin, quarterbacks Jake Maier and MacLeod Bethel-Thompson, and receiver Justin Hardy are just a few set to become free agents, as are offensive linemen Drew Desjarlais, Sean McEwen and Zack Pelehos.
Hardy is coming off his fourth consecutive 1,000-plus yard season. In his five years with the Redblacks, he’s only played in one playoff game.
“I’m not saying no to anything,” admitted Hardy. “I’ll get with my agent, listen to everybody and see where we go from there.”
Players believe the addition of Morreale is a good start and have faith the organization will put the work in to turn things around.
“The thing about the CFL is in a nine-team league you see teams turn around in a year or two,” said Cormier.
Cormier added that Dinwiddie’s experience winning two Grey Cups also shouldn’t be overlooked.
“Those two things alone are two things that I think are pretty convincing to feel like things can change pretty quickly,” Cormier said.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 25, 2026.
Lisa Wallace, The Canadian Press