Kevin Sousa/CFL.ca
The Ottawa Redblacks are re-signing All-CFL receiver Justin Hardy to a one-year contract for the 2026 CFL season, per sources.
His new deal is worth $210,000 in hard money with an additional $7,000 available in statistical, all-star and award incentives.
The 34-year-old produced his third consecutive 1,000-yard season in 2025 despite working with four different starting quarterbacks: Dru Brown, Matthew Shiltz, Dustin Crum, and Tyrie Adams. He recorded 78 receptions for 1,019 yards with eight touchdowns in 18 regular-season games.
Hardy was the third-highest paid pass-catcher in the CFL last season, earning $227,000 for his efforts. He’s been named a CFL all-star once and East Division all-star three times since signing with Ottawa in 2022. The Vanceboro, N.C. native has registered 304 catches for 3,787 yards with 16 touchdowns over 59 career CFL games.
After his two-year CFL rookie contract expired following the 2023 season, Hardy has signed two one-year contract extensions with Ottawa. He led the three-down league with 97 receptions in 2024 and ranked second with 1,343 receiving yards, earning $147,000 that year.
Hardy was selected in the fourth round, 107th overall during the 2015 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons out of East Carolina University. He posted 95 receptions for 946 yards with nine touchdowns over 73 career NFL games and earned over $3.8 million USD in five years with the team.
With Hardy returning, the Redblacks have the team’s top two pass catchers from last year, Eugene Lewis being the other, under contract for the 2026 CFL season.