The Ottawa Redblacks made a surprising move at the kicker position, releasing 33-year-old veteran Lewis Ward and signing 35-year-old Brett Lauther, who had a lower field-goal percentage in 2025. The decision underscores the team's emphasis on kickoff performance and leg strength.
New Quarterback Addition
On Day 3 of training camp, the Redblacks signed quarterback Max Duggan, a former TCU star and Heisman Trophy runner-up in 2023. Duggan, 25, was released by the Toronto Argonauts, where he played under current Redblacks head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie. He will compete with rookie Zach Calzada for the third-string role behind veterans Dru Brown and Jake Maier.
Kicker Controversy
Ward, an all-time Redblacks great, struggled with consistency in recent seasons. In 2025, only Lauther had a worse field-goal percentage among CFL kickers. However, Lauther possesses a stronger leg and is considered the league's best on kickoffs, a task Ward could not handle full-time.
Lauther's Perspective
Lauther, a native of Truro, Nova Scotia, has a career field-goal success rate of 81.4%, including 82.4% in 2024. Despite a 72.2% mark in 2025, he kicked a 48-yard field goal and made all three point-after attempts in Saskatchewan's Grey Cup victory. He approaches each kick with a one-for-one mentality, focusing on consistency and team culture.
With only Lauther and 22-year-old American Jayden Fielding in camp, the Redblacks are unlikely to use an import at the position, solidifying Lauther's role as the primary kicker for the 2026 season.
