January 30th, 2023: REDBLACKS sign All-Star national OL Drew Desjarlais

This was a hell of a way to start the week.

OTTAWA - The Ottawa REDBLACKS have signed former CFL West All-Star, and two-time Grey Cup Champion, national OL Drew Desjarlais to a two-year contract, the team announced today.

"I am extremely excited to join the Ottawa REDBLACKS, and to start playing at TD Place in front of the dedicated fans," said Desjarlais. "I’m looking forward to working alongside a great group of teammates, and after speaking with Coach Dyce, Shawn Burke, Coach Charbonneau and Coach Jones, it was clear that there is a great plan for this team and I wanted to be a part of it."

Desjarlais, 25, returns to the CFL for the first time since the 108th Grey Cup, after spending time with the NFL's New England Patriots, and New Orleans Saints during the 2022 season. The Belle River, Ontario product helped the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to Grey Cup championships in both the 2019, and 2021 seasons. Desjarlais started in all but eight games during his rookie season, and every game of his second.

Drafted fourth overall by the Blue Bombers, out of Windsor, in 2019, Desjarlais was named a CFL West All-Star in 2021.

"We believe in building our team in the trenches and bringing in Drew Desjarlais underscores that philosophy," said REDBLACKS General Manager Shawn Burke. "Drew is an all-star calibre guard who will add skill, strength and youth to our offensive line. We thank Drew for his belief in our program and we're excited that he's chosen to make Ottawa home."

Desjarlais was said to instantly be the highest-paid offensive lineman in the league as a result of this contract. We'll see if that holds up beyond the free agency period, however. The following was written by Tim Baines for Postmedia.

...it’s believed six teams got into a bidding war. On Monday, it was announced the Ottawa Redblacks had signed Desjarlais to a two-year deal, making him the highest-paid offensive lineman in the CFL. He will make $250,500 in guaranteed money this season (with another $6,000 if he is named an all-star) and will make $260,000 (with another $6,000 if he’s an all-star) in 2024. It’s believed at least one other team offered more money than the Redblacks.