Ottawa Redblacks Make a Move Amid QB Competition

The Ottawa Redblacks are looking to improve upon a tremendous 2024 season that saw them make the playoffs for the first time since their Grey Cup appearance during the 2018 season.

On Monday, the Redblacks took a significant step towards that goal by announcing the re-signing of former Kent State quarterback Dustin Crum to a one-year deal just before he was set to become a free agent this February.

Crum was used as a dual-threat quarterback at Kent State, where he played from 2017 to 2021. During his time there, Crum played 50 games and rushed for 2071 yards and 24 touchdowns. 

His passing stats were equally impressive, as Crum threw for 7417 passing yards for 55 touchdowns compared to just 12 interceptions, although his passing hasn’t translated well professionally.

Crum was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs in April 2022, but he saw very little preseason action and was waived almost four months later on Aug. 27. Ten days later, he made his way to Ottawa and signed with the Redblacks.

Crum broke out as a rookie in 2023, starting 14 games for Ottawa. He leaned more on his legs than his arm during the season, rushing for 712 yards and nine touchdowns while passing for 3109 yards and 10 touchdowns compared to 12 interceptions.

It’s unclear whether or not Crum will see more action in 2025, as he barely played last season behind Jeremiah Masoli and Dru Brown. Things will change, however, if Masoli leaves once free agency opens on Feb. 11.

Crum's re-signing adds some much-needed stability for Ottawa. The team has been in limbo since the 2019 season after losing some enormous pieces during that offseason, where they lost quarterback Trevor Harris and wide receiver Greg Ellingson to free agency.

Ottawa later brought in Masoli in 2022, but he has yet to play an entire season after being sidelined by injuries for most of the his three season with the Redblacks, playing just 17 out of a possible 54 regular season games despite being penciled in as the day-one starter in every single year.

Masoli’s injury history then prompted the Redblacks to sign Brown, a former Winnipeg Blue Bombers backup, in January 2024, as many believed he could be a starter after spending three seasons behind veteran Zach Collaros.