The Ottawa Redblacks checked one item off the team’s off-season to-do list by hiring Tommy Condell to be offensive coordinator.
With Condell in the fold, the next item will be to decide on a starting quarterback for 2024 and the team’s new play-caller likes what he sees on the roster, especially Dustin Crum.
“He’s extraordinarily competitive. He’s a guy that wills things to happen, not only from his play but to be able to increase the play of others around him,” Condell told TSN radio 1200. “A game is never out of reach with him.”
Crum started the final 14 games for the Redblacks in 2023, throwing for 3,109 yards with 10 touchdowns and 12 interceptions while adding 712 rushing yards and nine touchdowns on the ground. The 24-year-old was named the team’s Most Outstanding Rookie.
The Kent State University product was thrust into the starter’s role following Jeremiah Masoli’s season-ending Achilles injury in July. Masoli has indicated he wants to return for a third season in Ottawa but has been told he will not be guaranteed the starter’s job in 2024.
Should Masoli return to the nation’s capital, he will be reunited with Condell. The two formed a successful pair in Hamilton from 2013-2015 and again from 2019-2021. The Tiger-Cats won the East Division four times and went to the East Finals all five years during their time together in Hamilton.
“From the quarterback room, he knows and understands how we teach and what we expect,” Condell said. “It’s great to have a player not only of his calibre but able to do the intangible things.”
The Redblacks finished 4-14 for the second straight season, last in the East Division for the fourth consecutive campaign while starting four different quarterbacks. Pending free agent Nick Arbuckle started the first two games, Tyrie Adams started the third but suffered an injury and missed the rest of the season. Masoli played just a handful of snaps before he was injured and Crum took over.
After two thrilling, come-from-behind victories that birthed the term ‘Crumback’ the Redblacks lost 11 of their final 12 games, with the lone victory being a 36-28 win over the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Week 16.
“With Shawn Burke, it’s not an exclusive process. He includes everyone to be able to get all the information and all be on the same page,” Condell said when asked about his input on roster moves.
The Redblacks have not had a winning record since 2018, which was also the last year they made the playoffs. That was the end of a remarkable five-year run to begin the franchise’s existence that saw them win the East Division three times and win the Grey Cup in 2016, the city’s first CFL championship in 40 years.
The Redblacks have 33 pending free agents set to hit the open market when CFL free agency begins on February 13, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET.
