The Ottawa Redblacks have signed American defensive back Bennett Williams to a one-year contract extension for 2026.
The 26-year-old played nine games last season for the Redblacks, registering 17 defensive tackles, nine special teams tackles, and two forced fumbles. He has seen action at safety, halfback, and strong-side linebacker throughout his career
Williams first signed with Ottawa in 2024 and has since appeared in 20 contests, making 44 defensive tackles, 11 special teams tackles, one quarterback sack, and two forced fumbles.
The six-foot, 206-pound defender previously spent time in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins as an undrafted free agent in 2023 before coming north.
Collegiately, Williams played 25 games over his three seasons at Oregon (2020-22), registering 108 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, two quarterback sacks, five interceptions and three forced fumbles. The native of Campbell, Cal., transferred from Illinois, where he played 12 games over two seasons (2017-18) and recorded 65 total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, three interceptions and one forced fumble.
The Ottawa Redblacks finished fourth in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 4-14 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Dru Brown went 2-7 over nine starts at quarterback, throwing for 2,389 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. Dustin Crum went 2-4 over six starts, throwing for 1,771 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions.
The Redblacks ranked sixth in net offence, fifth in net defence, and ninth with a turnover differential of minus-16. The club’s leading rusher was William Stanback with 698 yards, the leading receiver was Justin Hardy with 1,019 yards, and the leading tackler was Adarius Pickett with 84 tackles. Ottawa finished eighth in attendance with average crowds of 18,136, which was a 4.2 percent decrease from the previous year.
