Official Game Day Thread - Saskatchewan @ Winnipeg, September 12, 2026

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Sure. I'm not sure how much Brown is due to earn next year. We probably got him relatively cheap from an SMS point of view due to signing bonus.

That will be a different issue in 2027 whether we have Collaros or not. Financially something has to give even within the salary structure for our QB's.

There will be some high SMS deletions next year beyond the QB position. That in itself won't justify the current structure.

Brown was traded for so his previous contract should still be active.

According to 3DN these are his terms.

9) Dru Brown, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Hard money: $321,000
Maximum value: $387,000

Browns's 2026 compensation comes from a $150,000 signing bonus, $131,000 base salary, $15,000 in marketing money, $15,000 in housing, and a $10,000 travel allowance. He has an additional $66,000 available in playtime, statistical, all-star and award incentives.

Don't know the length of that deal but it seems like a reasonable price to pay for a starting QB who has not yet demonstrated he should remain so.  As a backup that's too much, so it may come down to re-negotiating a contract fair to both sides.

[bunker]

Brown was traded for so his previous contract should still be active.

According to 3DN these are his terms.

9) Dru Brown, Ottawa Redblacks (A)

Hard money: $321,000
Maximum value: $387,000

Browns's 2026 compensation comes from a $150,000 signing bonus, $131,000 base salary, $15,000 in marketing money, $15,000 in housing, and a $10,000 travel allowance. He has an additional $66,000 available in playtime, statistical, all-star and award incentives.

Don't know the length of that deal but it seems like a reasonable price to pay for a starting QB who has not yet demonstrated he should remain so.  As a backup that's too much, so it may come down to re-negotiating a contract fair to both sides.

He signed a one year extension in Jan 2025 to extend him for 2026. So looks like he will be a FA this offseason. I think we should re-sign him, but it should be incentive laden, and based on how he performs. There likely won't be too many openings for starting QBs next year, with the exception of Ottawa (Or Toronto depending on where Kelly signs, and Toronto may actually prefer Arbuckle to Dru) and Hamilton, depending on BLMs health. I think Taylor Powell is signed for next year in Edmonton, but there are some other QBs around who could potentially grow into starters, including Harrison Frost and Josh Love.

[TBURGESS]

LOL always the sour puss. Life must suck.

Actually, living in reality is a great life. You should try it sometime.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

He signed a one year extension in Jan 2025 to extend him for 2026. So looks like he will be a FA this offseason. I think we should re-sign him, but it should be incentive laden, and based on how he performs. There likely won't be too many openings for starting QBs next year, with the exception of Ottawa (Or Toronto depending on where Kelly signs, and Toronto may actually prefer Arbuckle to Dru) and Hamilton, depending on BLMs health. I think Taylor Powell is signed for next year in Edmonton, but there are some other QBs around who could potentially grow into starters, including Harrison Frost and Josh Love.

Feel sorry for Taylor Powell, he keeps ending up behind QB's that have rejuvenated their carers.  Fajardo mentioned he was considering retirement last off-season but that was probably a negotiating tactic to get a better deal out of Ed Hervey, I'd bet Cody is still playing 2 seasons from now especially if he continues to win.

[Blue In BC]

He signed a one year extension in Jan 2025 to extend him for 2026. So looks like he will be a FA this offseason. I think we should re-sign him, but it should be incentive laden, and based on how he performs. There likely won't be too many openings for starting QBs next year, with the exception of Ottawa (Or Toronto depending on where Kelly signs, and Toronto may actually prefer Arbuckle to Dru) and Hamilton, depending on BLMs health. I think Taylor Powell is signed for next year in Edmonton, but there are some other QBs around who could potentially grow into starters, including Harrison Frost and Josh Love.

I wasn't aware he was a potential free agent in 2027. I doubt we traded a 1st round pick to let him walk though. What they expect as a salary or his willingness to stay are questions at the moment.

That level of SMS does mean we're going to need to adjust somewhere within our roster.

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

I wasn't aware he was a potential free agent in 2027. I doubt we traded a 1st round pick to let him walk though. What they expect as a salary or his willingness to stay are questions at the moment.

That level of SMS does mean we're going to need to adjust somewhere within our roster.

Guess they'll have the choice of cutting Zach or Brady. 

[Blue In BC]

Guess they'll have the choice of cutting Zach or Brady. 

They may force Collaros to take another cut. There are other veterans which we expect may not be back in 2027: Bryant, Nichols, K. Wilson. Neufeld might retire.

Next year is next year but there will be planned reductions and some not within our control in free agency.