By The Canadian Press

Ottawa signs Canadian linebackers Allen and Brodrique and American quarterback Maier

Feb 11, 2026 | 1:11 PM

OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks signed Canadian linebackers A.J. Allen and Michael Brodrique and American quarterback Jake Maier on Wednesday.

Allen’s deal covers two years, while Maier and Brodrique signed a one-year contracts. All three players became free agents Tuesday.

Allen, a Guelph, Ont., native, set career highs last season with Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan in total tackles (91), defensive tackles (87), sacks (four) and forced fumbles (three). He was named the Roughriders nominee for the CFL’s top Canadian award.

Brodrique, of Sainte-Marthe-sur-le-Lac, Que., spent three seasons with the Edmonton Elks. He appeared in 38 regular-season games, recording 19 special-teams tackles and a sack.

Maier dressed for all 18 regular-season games in 2025 with Saskatchewan. He completed 56-of-87 passes for 617 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.

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Maier has appeared in 84 career regular-season games with Saskatchewan and the Calgary Stampeders (2021-24). He has completed 1,078-of-1,584 passes (68.1 per cent) for 12,302 yards with 62 TDs and 41 interceptions.

Carney among six players signed by the Edmonton Elks

EDMONTON — American defensive lineman Malik Carney was among six players signing with the Edmonton Elks on Wednesday.

Quarterback Taylor Powell, offensive linemen Brendan Bordner, Coulter Woodmansey and Jordan Murray and receiver Brendan O’Leary-Orange, also signed deals. Woodmansey and O’Leary-Orange are Canadians while Powell, Murray and Bordner are all Americans.

All six players became CFL free agents Tuesday.

The six-foot-three, 230-pound Carney had a team-high eight sacks last season with the Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Powell, Woodmansey, Bordner and Murray all join the Elks after spending time with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Hamilton Tiger-Cats sign Canadian defensive lineman Dabire

HAMILTON — The Hamilton Tiger-Cats signed Canadian defensive lineman Charbel Dabire on Wednesday.

Dabire, 29, joins the Ticats after spending time with the Saskatchewan Roughriders (2019, 2021-2025). Dabire appeared in 58 regular-season games with the Riders, registering 41 tackles, four special-teams tackles, two sacks and a forced fumble.

Dabire was a member of Saskatchewan’s Grey Cup-championship roster in 2025.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-sign veteran DB Hallett

WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bomers agreed to terms Wednesday on a one-year deal with veteran Canadian defensive back Nick Hallett.

Hallett became a CFL free agent Tuesday.

The five-foot-11, 190-pound Hallett returns for a seventh season with Winnipeg. The Bombers drafted the native of London, Ont., in the seventh round, No. 61 overall, in the 2019 CFL draft.

Hallett has appeared in 100 career regular-season games with Winnipeg, making seven starts. He was a part of the franchise’s Grey Cup-winning teams in 2019 and 2021.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 11, 2026.

The Canadian Press