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First win doesn’t change how historically challenging 2026 has been for Redblacks

On Friday, the Ottawa Redblacks ended a 22-game losing streak, rallying to edge the Toronto Argonauts 40-39. Rookie quarterback Bryson Barnes anchored the victory in his first CFL start, completing 27-of-37 passes for 339 yards and two touchdowns.
Quarterback instability has plagued Ottawa since 2018, with Barnes serving as the franchise's 15th different starter. The team owned the league record for most losses to start a season at 16 while allowing league-high defensive averages across all categories.
On Tuesday, Ottawa hired Mike Morreale as president to review football operations and establish permanent leadership structure. The 55-year-old Hamilton native, a two-time Grey Cup winner, will strengthen the club's approach to player development and long-term planning.
Former CFL GM Jim Popp joined the restructuring as senior football adviser until season's end, bringing a proven track record. Over his 28-year career, Popp's teams amassed a 269-203-1 regular-season record and made 11 Grey Cup appearances.
Ottawa finishes its campaign to forget Saturday on the road against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Despite the recent win, the franchise remains focused on building a sustainable entity from the ground up following a season marked by significant personnel upheaval.

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