Redblacks sign QB Dustin Crum, still have lots of work to do

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Three weeks and a couple of days before the CFL free agent market opens, the league website shows the Ottawa Redblacks still have 23 fish-or-cut-bait decisions to make.

It was an even two dozen before Monday’s announcement that 26-year-old quarterback Dustin Crum has agreed to a one-season extension.

It was not an insignificant signing.

The Redblacks now have three quarterbacks with CFL playing experience under contract.

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As important as the position is, they’d like to have four.

But at least they won’t have just two when the market opens at noon on Feb. 13.

What does the Redblacks’ ‘quarterback room’ look like now?

Starter Dru Brown signed an extension through the 2026 season last week — just three days before the anniversary of the gamble Ottawa took on him last off-season.

It’s not that the fifth-round pick the Redblacks traded to Winnipeg for his exclusive negotiating rights was a hefty price, but with Jeremiah Masoli’s future uncertain as he battled back from back-to-back season-ending injuries, they were banking heavily that Brown could adequately fill a role that had been their biggest wart since Trevor Harris quarterbacked the team to the Grey Cup Game in 2018.

Brown did, and then some.

In fact, today it’s not a wild stretch to think the 27-year-old Californian could be the CFL’s best QB in 2025.

At the same time, he only has one season as a starter under his belt, and during that season there were stretches Brown was unavailable because of a concussion and an ankle injury.

At what seems like an inflated program listing of 5-foot-11, 200 pounds, Brown is either the smallest or second-smallest quarterback in the league.

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The Redblacks’ success in 2025 rests with his durability, but then the same could be said about any team and their No. 1 signal caller.

Battling to be Brown’s backup as of now are Tyrie Adams and Crum, who two years ago went from being fourth on the training camp depth chart to the starter for most of the season because of injuries.

In 2024, Crum was used mostly as the team’s short-yardage quarterback.

Through 36 career games and 14 starts, Crum has completed 297 of 431 passes for 3,429 yards, with 10 touchdown passes and 14 interceptions. He also has 135 carries for 918 yards and 16 touchdowns.

Adams, 27, is an interesting prospect with a strong arm and tremendous running ability.

In 2022, he dressed for six games with Ottawa and was used mostly in short-yardage packages.

In 2023, he made his first CFL start on June 30, completing 14 of 20 passes for 185 yards and one TD while rushing three times for 31 yards in a 26-7 victory over Edmonton.

Most impressive about that performance is that he played through a torn ACL he suffered at some point in the game.

Adams dressed for six games last season, but did not see any action. He was signed to a one-year extension on Oct. 9.

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Where is Jeremiah Masoli?

Right now, he’s among the 23 Redblacks who are eligible to test the free agent waters.

GM Shawn Burke is keeping an “open dialogue” with Masoli, but all signs are pointing to the 36-year-old hitting the market.

Near the end of last season, Masoli said he was determined to continue playing in 2025, and in his appearances as Brown’s fill-in, he showed he’s capable of at least challenging for a starter’s job.

But it’s likely he’ll get a better offer elsewhere.

In that case, the Redblacks will either add a QB from the free agent pool or their neg list.

Who are the other QBs that will be available on Feb. 13?

The CFL’s free agent list currently shows 11 quarterbacks without a contract.

Along with Masoli, there’s Dominique Davis (Montreal), Nick Arbuckle, Cameron Dukes and Bryan Scott (Toronto), Chris Streveler (Winnipeg), Shea Patterson (Saskatchewan), Logan Bonner, Matt Shiltz and Tommy Stevens (Calgary) and Dakota Prukop (Edmonton).

Who are the other Redblacks currently eligible to test the market?

Along with Masoli, the list presently includes six wide receivers (Justin Hardy, Jaelon Acklin, Bralon Addison, Devonte Dedmon, Nykeim Johnson and Keaton Bruggeling); five linebackers (Adarius Pickett, Jovan Santos-Knox, Tyron Vrede, Stewart Silas and Gary Johnson Jr.); four defensive backs (Damon Webb, Alijah McGhee, Deandre Lamont and Ty Cranston); three offensive linemen (Jacob Ruby, Cyrille Hogan-Saindon, Uzoma Osuji); two defensive linemen (Kene Onyeka, Nigel Romick); one running back (Jamal Morrow) and punter/kicker Richie Leone.

Burke’s been busy signing players over the last couple of weeks, but he’ll be even busier over the next three.

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