Despite the REDBLACKS season going awry and ending in 6 straight losses to finish with the worst record in the league at 4-14, they still had a few players who were recognized for their efforts this season. Eugene Lewis, Justin Hardy, and Ardarius Pickett were named to the East Division All-CFL team.
All three of these men have consistently been among the best at their position, and 2025 was no exception. Even as they were surrounded by back-ups and starters who were banged up all season, these three stood apart for Ottawa.
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Eugene Lewis
Signed before the 2025 season, the REDBLACKS brought in Lewis, looking for a reliable option opposite of Justin Hardy. Dominique Rhymes had been signed before 2024 to fill this role, but struggled with bouts of inconsistency and dropped several passes. Ottawa opted to release Rhymes and target Lewis, knowing Lewis is among the most sure-handed receivers in the league.
Playing in all 18 games, Lewis logged the third most targets of his career (121), second most catches (75), as well as the fourth most yards and touchdowns (1,012 yards & 6 tds). This amounted to his fourth 1,000-yard season, and second in a row after amassing 1,070 yards in 2024 for Edmonton.
Lewis logged 10 games with 5 receptions or more, topping 50 yards in 10 games and logging 3 100-yard + games. This was the fourth time Lewis was named to the East Division All-CFL Team; he has also been named to the All-CFL team three times. Counting his West Division nomination in 2024, Lewis was named to the division All-CFL team five of his last six seasons, with 2023 the exception.
Lewis signed a two-year contract with the REDBLACKS, and so far, it appears he will be returning for the 2026 season, helping Ottawa stake its claim as having the best wide receiver room in the CFL, pairing with Hardy, Bralon Addison, Keelan White, and Khalil Pimpleton.
Justin Hardy
Justin Hardy has been one of the best free-agent finds of Shawn Burke’s tenure with Ottawa. Hardy has had one of the more interesting paths to the CFL. He was selected in the 4th round of the 2015 NFL Draft by the Atlanta Falcons, where he went on to play five seasons: 2015-2019.
Playing in 73 games for Atlanta, Hardy caught 95 passes for 946 yards and 9 touchdowns. He also returned kicks and punts, with 20 punt returns and 5 kick returns for 206 yards, as well as 2 tackles. This performance in most cases would normally result in other teams showing interest, and during 2020, when practice squad restrictions changed, allowing veterans, it would stand to reason he would have been signed somewhere.
However, that was not the case, and he would not sign with a team for the 2020 season. Attempting to get back into a team in 2021, he signed a 1-year deal with the Chicago Bears but ended up being released a month later, never to sign another NFL contract. Ottawa saw this as an opportunity and started working on bringing Hardy in, culminating in a contract in March of 2022.
Since that day, Hardy has played in 59 games, been targeted 435 times, catching 304 passes for 3,787 yards and 16 touchdowns, 13 carries for 99 yards, 6 punt returns for 51 yards, and 3 kick returns for 76 yards. He has now been named to the East Division All-CFL team for three years straight, made the All-CFL list in 2024, and put up three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
In just four short years, Hardy has gone from an NFL afterthought to rewriting the REDBLACKS record books. His 304 receptions already stand fourth all-time in Ottawa’s history; he has the second most receptions in a single season with 97, and his career receiving yards are quickly climbing the all-time list as well. He is chasing the greatest REDBLACKS receiver of all time, Brad Sinopoli, who had 455 receptions for 5,127 yards. Hardy is on pace to top his numbers by mid-2027, assuming he sticks around in Ottawa. That would also have Hardy playing until he was 36 years old.
Adarius Pickett
Another crown jewel of the Burke era in Ottawa, Pickett has completely changed the atmosphere for the REDBLACKS in his two seasons. Almost as valuable as his on-field play has been his leadership. “The Party Starter” arrived on scene following the 2023 season and helped the REDBLACKS reach the playoffs for the first time in years, even though he missed 5 games.
While last season he played well, this season was even better. Paired with his former coach in Toronto, Will Fields, he seemed to feel right at home in his scheme. Coming off a serious injury last season, Picket came into 2025 and collected 84 tackles, 2 sacks, and 1 interception on defense, adding 14 special teams tackles.
One of the most active defenders for Ottawa the last two seasons, Pickett is the ultimate chess piece on defense. His versatility allows him to line up as a linebacker or a halfback; he can cover, run support, and rush the passer as well. Pickett needs to remain a priority for re-signing for Ottawa until he hangs up his cleats. Pickett signed a 1-year contract before 2025.
Moving into 2026
Ottawa has already begun the search for its next Head Coach, hoping to find the right man to turn this program into a winner. There was a belief Dyce had been that man after leading the REDBLACKS to the playoffs on the strength of an impressive home record. Unfortunately, a season in which it felt like over half the initial active roster spent time on the injured list, Ottawa stumbled to 4-14 and often looked outmatched.
Bob Dyce is a great coach, and I have no doubt he will land somewhere in 2026, becoming a pivotal part of another franchise. He just was not the right coach at the right time for Ottawa. Let’s hope their fourth Head Coach in REDBLACKS history becomes their best yet.
The bright side here is the team has pieces to build on: Dru Brown, Geno Lewis, Justin Hardy, Bralon Addison, Khalil Pimpleton, Adarius Pickett, Bryce Carter, Blessman Ta’ala, and Jovan Santos-Knox. The REDBLACKS also go into the 2026 offseason with the first overall pick. One strong offseason beginning with the right Head Coach could turn this franchise around.
- Ryan Dinwiddie Begins Dealing for Ottawa in Preparation for 2026
- Blue Bombers Sign 2025 UFL MVP Bryce Perkins: Potential Successor for Collaros?
- What’s Next with REDBLACKS Hiring Ryan Dinwiddie for 2026?
- Stewart Johnston Putting his Stamp on the CFL in 2026 and Beyond
- Should CFL Teams Lean Into the 2025 UFL Talent Well for Quarterback Depth?
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