Big Blue trade QB Dru Brown to Redblacks Ex-Bombers backup grateful for time in Winnipeg as he seeks starting job in Ottawa By: Jeff Hamilton Posted: 5:56 PM CST Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024

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This article was published 18/01/2024 (692 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Dru Brown has been immersed in the game of football long enough to know that change is inevitable.

So when he wrapped up his third season with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers following a Grey Cup loss in November — a year in which Brown established himself as a potential franchise quarterback — he did so fully understanding his CFL career was about to take an unfamiliar turn.

On Thursday, following weeks of speculation about his future, Brown was traded to the Ottawa Redblacks in exchange for a fifth-round pick in this year’s CFL Draft.

“I kind of was prepared for change,” Brown said from his home in Oklahoma. “There being money and the business side, it’s different for me. But this isn’t the first time that I’ve had to leave an environment and then go pursue another. I was mentally preparing for that to happen.”

Almost immediately after the Bombers were defeated by the Montreal Alouettes in the Grey Cup, rumours started to circulate as to where Brown might end up in 2024. After a couple of years backing up two-time most outstanding player, Zach Collaros, there was plenty of interest across the league in the 26-year-old.

Even Bombers general manager Kyle Walters, in a video press conference while in Nashville, Tenn., for CFL meetings earlier this month, noted it would be difficult to retain Brown. He added Brown was looking for a chance to compete for a No. 1 job and that it was more about opportunity than money.

“My gut tells me even if the Winnipeg Football Club could afford to match a contract,” Walters said at the time, “They would think long and hard about the opportunity of where to go.”

While there was plenty of interest around the CFL, there’s no better fit than the Redblacks. Ottawa was ravaged by quarterback injuries, including a season-ending Achilles tear to starter Jeremiah Masoli that won’t have him ready for training camp.

“I kind of was prepared for change.”–Dru Brown

That leaves an opportunity for Brown to compete with the likes of Dustin Crum, who was thrust into the No. 1 role as a rookie following injuries to Masoli, who tore his ACL, and Tyrie Adams. Crum showed well at times, including an improbable comeback victory over the Bombers in Week 6, but he’s still fairly inexperienced to the three-down game.

Before that can happen, Brown still needs to sign a contract with the Redblacks, as he remains a pending free agent. All the trade did was give Ottawa exclusive rights to the negotiate a deal with Brown, who still has the option to hit the open market come Feb. 13.

“It’s just the way things are structured in Winnipeg. I think so highly of Zach, and I would never sit here and be like, ‘They should do this, that and the third for me,’” Brown said. “I figured that I would pay my dues there and learn as much as I could and they would send me off and wish me luck. That’s exactly how it transpired and something I expected from such standup people in that organization.”

Brown signed with the Bombers in March of 2020, but with the cancelled season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, he didn’t join the team until the following year. He was the third string QB to start, before moving to the official backup in 2022.

He started just one game in his first two seasons — a narrow 40-32 road loss to the B.C. Lions, in which Brown threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns (with two interceptions) — but came alive last year, including winning both of his starts. Brown also orchestrated a third win, leading the Bombers, while down 22-0, to victory over the Edmonton Elks in Week 10 after Collaros suffered an injury in the first half.

Brown finished the 2023 season completing 62 of his 89 pass attempts for 983 yards, while throwing for nine touchdowns and no interceptions. He set a new single-season record for most touchdown passes without recording an interception.

“Winnipeg gave me a really good opportunity to essentially build a foundation of knowledge, of skill and it was an environment where I could freely fail and not necessarily be critical of my performance,” Brown said.

“But also, being very honest with me and how I could improve and get better. I wasn’t told to change who I am, and I had a great example (with Collaros) in front of me. I’ve led a team before and I’m a lot better now. I’m as ready as you can be.”

“…I had a great example (with Collaros) in front of me. I’ve led a team before and I’m a lot better now. I’m as ready as you can be.”–Dru Brown

Leaving Winnipeg is a tough pill to swallow, knowing all the relationships he formed with coaches and teammates, as well as fans who have watched him grow as a professional over the last three years. There’s an appreciation for what he’s been through in his CFL career, mixed with an excitement for what’s to come.

“I’m extremely appreciative of anyone who has supported me,” Brown said. “I thank the fans for the environment they create. I believe it’s second to none, and that passion is so important. It was truly an honour to play in Winnipeg.”

 

Jeff.Hamilton@freepress.mb.ca

X: @jeffkhamilton