Photo: Ottawa Redblacks
The Ottawa Redblacks have re-signed Canadian defensive lineman Aidan John. He was a pending free agent.
The 25-year-old defender recorded 12 defensive tackles and three special teams tackles over 11 regular-season games in 2025.
The six-foot-three, 248-pound native of Halifax, N.S. was originally a third-round pick in the 2023 CFL Draft out of Saint Mary’s University. He has since made 32 defensive tackles, nine special teams tackles, and four sacks over 35 regular-season CFL games.
John played 15 collegiate games with the Huskies and notched 75.5 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 5.5 sacks, two pass knockdowns, one forced fumble, and one fumble recovery.
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, leading receiver was Justin Hardy with 1,019 yards, and 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.