2014 Ottawa Redblacks

The 2014 Ottawa RedBlacks season will be the first season for the team in the Canadian Football League. The RedBlacks will be the third CFL franchise to play in the city of Ottawa, and the first since the suspension of the Renegades in 2006.

Acquisitions
The RedBlacks signed their first three players on November 28, 2013. Ottawa signed wide receiver Fred Rouse, defensive back/safety Nick Turnbull and defensive end DiMetrio Tyson. Leading up to the 2013 CFL Expansion Draft the RedBlacks signed a number of players including; defensive back Jerrell Gavins, quarterback Matt Faulkner and running backs Jordan Roberts, Michael Hayes, and Eric O’Neal.

In February 2014, following the Expansion Draft, the RedBlacks made a series of significant signings including the acquisition of former MOP quarterback Henry Burris, former defensive player of the year Jovon Johnson and LB Malik Jackson.

Expansion Draft
The 2013 CFL Expansion Draft was a three-round CFL draft held on December 16, 2013 which assign players from existing CFL teams to the new Ottawa team. The structure of the draft was announced on January 19, 2011, which described one round for selecting import players and two rounds for selecting non-import players. Ottawa selected three players from each of the eight existing teams for a total of 24 players. Ottawa was allowed to select eight import players and 16 non-import players with quarterbacks, kickers and punters eligible within their respective import/non-import categories. Ottawa was be able to select a maximum of two quarterbacks and one kicker/punter, but not select any two of these three players from the same team.

Overall, 24 players were selected in the draft, including two quarterbacks, three receivers, one running back, two fullbacks, six offensive linemen, six defensive linemen, three linebackers, and one defensive back. Only one pending free agent was selected, with Rory Kohlert's contract expiring February 15, 2014. The selections were announced live at cfl.ca on December 16, 2013.

2013 CFL Draft
The 2013 CFL Draft took place on May 6, 2013. Despite not playing in the 2013 season, the RedBlacks picked last in the first four rounds of the draft, with selections being limited to 18 NCAA redshirt juniors. These players were not eligible to sign for the 2013 season, but may sign with Ottawa for this season.

2014 CFL Draft
The 2014 CFL Draft will take place in the Spring of 2014. The RedBlacks will have the first pick in each of the seven rounds.

Preseason
On February 10, 2014, it was announced that the Ottawa RedBlacks will play their "home" pre-season game at Mosaic Stadium at Taylor Field against the Roughriders on June 14, 2014. Ottawa will be on the home side of the field and the team will be introduced as the home team, while Saskatchewan will play the game as their "away" pre-season game. This was done to accommodate for any delays that may be incurred due to the construction of TD Place Stadium. This will be the RedBlacks debut in the Canadian Football League.