Ottawa Redblacks QB Jeremiah Masoli Signs to Restructured Deal Through 2024

Since their run to the Grey Cup in 2018, things have gone significantly downhill for the Redblacks. In the past three CFL seasons, they’ve won ten games and lost 40. Put briefly, they’ve been a mess and are desperately looking for answers. There aren’t many fans laying down a future on the Redblacks on CFL betting sites for this season, but it appears they have increased stability at the quarterback position going forward. That is because they’ve locked up starting QB Jeremiah Masoli to a restructured contract extension through 2024.

 

Masoli was the Redblacks starting quarterback last season as well, although it was derailed by injury. He had agreed to a two-year deal before the season had begun that would’ve kept him in Ottawa through 2023, and after starting the first four games of the season, Masoli was injured by notorious former Roughriders lineman Garett Marino.

 

Despite this, the Redblacks clearly have enough faith that Masoli can lead them to significant improvements. He played solid in the four games he did play last year, passing for over 1,000 yards and two touchdowns, although all four of the games ended in a familiar losing result for the Redblacks. What the Redblacks are banking on by extending Masoli is that the 34-year-old can reach the highs from the early days of his career.

 

Masoli began his career in Hamilton, where after several years on the bench, he took over as a starter. His dual-threat ability and creativity all came together in 2018 when he threw for more than 5,200 yards and had 30 total touchdowns. He was named an All-Star that year and led the Hamilton Tiger-Cats to the playoffs. Since that time, he has struggled to stay healthy. But when he’s on the field and healthy, he is certainly still dangerous.

 

Ottawa will have a new look this season, particularly now that they own the first pick in the CFL draft. They have also converted interim coach Bob Dyce to a full-time role, so they will have more consistency this year.

 

The reason for Masoli’s extension wasn’t just to shore up the QB position. By changing his contract, the Redblacks have freed up some additional cap space. They are expected to be very active in free agency, and they have a few players that can be difference makers. Receiver Jaelon Acklin is one such player, fresh off a year where he broke out with more than 1,100 receiving yards. Building on his chemistry with Masoli will be important to the team.

 

Fans of the Redblacks have to be asking whether this is the year things will finally change. The return of the franchise had been so promising. After a bad first season in the league, when they went 2-16, the Redblacks followed that up by making the Grey Cup in three of four years and winning one. The wheels have come off since then, but there is hope that Masoli can lead a return to form.

 

Jeremiah Masoli has had some phenomenal years in the CFL, and the Redblacks are continuing their investment that he can recover from injuries and return to form. With the start of the new season mere months away, there is hope that Masoli can get the Redblacks back in shape for the 2023 CFL season.

Advocating for football prospects one story at a time.

Comments are closed.