The Ottawa Redblacks aren't just losing games. They’re effectively writing a manual on how to rebuild a season from scratch. After dropping a 46-16 decision to the Montreal Alouettes on Thursday night, the Redblacks hit the 0-10 mark. It’s ugly. It’s historically significant for all the wrong reasons. And honestly, it’s a situation that has many fans wondering if the locker room culture is salvageable before the snow flies.
If you’ve followed the Canadian Football League long enough, you know that 0-10 starts are rarer than a flawless special teams unit. The Redblacks are now only the ninth team in the history of the league to reach this basement level. What’s worse? They’ve dropped 16 straight games dating back to early September of last year. That’s a skid reminiscent of the Hamilton Wildcats back in 1948. We are talking about records that have stood for nearly eight decades.
The failure of the quarterback carousel
You can talk about coaching schemes or injury lists until you're blue in the face, but the reality is simpler: quarterback play. Jake Maier struggled, finishing with two interceptions and a measly 126 yards on 23 attempts. When you swap him for McLeod Bethel-Thompson in the fourth quarter and see even more erratic throws and another interception, you know the issue isn't just one guy. It’s an institutional inability to move the chains.
Most teams carry a starter and a reliable backup. Ottawa is essentially throwing darts at a board, hoping one lands in a receiver's hands. When your pivots combined throw three picks against a disciplined Montreal defense, you aren’t giving your team a chance to win. You’re giving the opposition free points.
The injury excuse has limits
Sure, Ottawa is currently managing a league-high 17 players on the six-game injured list. That’s a massive hit to any roster. But every team in the CFL deals with the grind of a physical season. A high injury count explains why the roster depth is thin, but it doesn't explain the lack of fundamental execution.
Look at the mistakes. A fumble on a kick attempt? A defensive back like Kabion Ento reading the play perfectly for a pick-six? These are mental errors, not just physical ones. These are signs of a team that has forgotten how to win, or perhaps, never learned how to handle adversity when the scoreboard starts tilted against them.
A look at the numbers behind the blowout
Montreal didn't even play a perfect game. They gifted Ottawa yardage with 11 penalties for 85 yards. Yet, Ottawa couldn't capitalize.
- Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander continues to shine, proving his 20-1 record as a starter isn't a fluke.
- The Alouettes' balanced attack, featuring Travis Theis on the ground and Tyson Philpot in the air, makes them look like a championship contender while Ottawa looks like they're still in training camp.
When the opponent gives you a path to the end zone via yellow flags and you still settle for a field goal, you're not beating anyone. It’s a systemic lack of killer instinct.
What comes next for Ottawa
The Redblacks face the B.C. Lions on August 30. If they don't find a way to stop the bleeding, they aren't just chasing a win—they’re chasing an infamous spot in the history books for the longest losing streak in the modern era.
Management needs to be honest about the trajectory here. Are they building for 2027? If so, play the young guys who have something to prove. Let the backup gain reps. If they are trying to salvage pride, they need a complete overhaul of the offensive rhythm. Relying on short-yardage specialists to carry the scoring load is not a strategy. It's a stop-gap measure that has clearly run its course.
Stop waiting for the miracle turn-around. Start demanding accountability for the fundamental errors that happen every single week. Whether it's the coaching staff or the front office, something has to change before the rest of this season evaporates into nothing.
The fans deserve better than what's currently happening on the field. The league deserves a competitive Ottawa squad. Right now, neither is getting what they need. Fix the turnovers, stabilize the signal-caller position, and stop the bleeding. Anything less is just delaying the inevitable.
