The CFL free agency is one month away and teams are already planning their next moves on who to keep, release, trade, or re-negotiate contracts. That’s what the Ottawa Redblacks are facing right now in regards to quarterback Jeremiah Masoli.
Jeremiah Masoli is five foot ten and weighs 215 pounds. The 35-year-old from San Francisco, California, completed 6 of 10 passes (60%) for 37 yards, and one interception in one game against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats before rupturing his left Achilles tendon and missed the rest of the 2023 season. Before the 2023 season, the Redblacks renegotiated Masoli’s contract through the 2024 season.
In 2022, Masoli completed 84 of 126 passes (66.7%) for 1,083 yards, two touchdowns, two interceptions, 11 carries for 39 yards, and one touchdown in four games before a leg injury sidelined him for the rest of the season.
Masoli signed with the Redblacks as a free agent on February 7, 2022. Before Ottawa, Masoli signed with the San Francisco 49ers as an undrafted free agent in 2011. Later, Masoli was drafted by the Omaha Nighthawks (UFL) in the eighth round (38th pick) in the 2011 UFL Draft. He completed 77 of 151 passes (51%) for 808 yards, two touchdowns, five interceptions, 24 carries for 94 yards, and one touchdown in four games.
Then, Masoli signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2016. He spent eight seasons with the Ticats completing 1,203 of 1,809 completions (66.5%) for 15,555 yards, 80 touchdowns, 51 interceptions, 252 carries for 1,507 yards, and 19 touchdowns in 114 games. Masoli was named CFL East All-Star in 2018.
Collegiately, Masoli played one season at City College of San Francisco in 2007. Then, he transferred to Oregon. Masoli played two seasons at Oregon (2008-09) completing 313 of 544 passes (57.3%) for 3,891 yards, 28 touchdowns, 11 interceptions, 248 carries for 1,386 yards, and 23 touchdowns in 24 games for the Ducks. In 2008, Masoli led the Ducks to beat Oklahoma in the Holiday Bowl by the final score of 42-31.
After Oregon, Masoli transferred to Ole Miss in 2010. He completed 167 of 296 passes (56.4%) for 2,039 yards, 14 touchdowns, 13 interceptions, 121 carries for 635 yards, and six touchdowns in 12 games.
Currently, the Redblacks have Masoli, Dustin Crum, Tyrie Adams, Tyrrell Pigrome, and Jake Dunniway all under contract for 2024. Nick Arbuckle will be a free agent and is not expected to return. Jeremiah Masoli is due a $100,000 roster bonus on Monday, January 15, 2024. So far across the CFL, The Roughriders restructured quarterback Trevor Harris’s contract, and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats restructured Bo Levi Mitchell’s contract.
Ottawa could restructure Masoli’s contract for the second time given that he has had two significant injuries in two seasons and is not expected to be back until July or August. Ottawa Redblacks GM Shawn Burke confirmed the two have been talking as Masoli’s bonus nears the deadline. The other option the Redblacks could do is release Masoli or trade him.
This free agency, several teams are expected to pursue Winnipeg quarterback Dru Brown. Ottawa is one of those teams that needs a quarterback. Dustin Crum held his own while Masoli and Tyrie Adams were both out with injuries. Adding Brown would give Ottawa the quarterback of the future.
But what should they do with Masoli? I think Ottawa should attempt to keep him but restructure his contract again. Restructuring his contract again would help create cap room for Ottawa to sign other position players on offense and defense that they desperately need. Masoli can help mentor guys like Brown and Dustin Crum. When Masoli is healthy, he is a threat to opposing teams but we have not been able to see that since his injuries derailed him for the last two seasons.
Masoli is capable of leading a team to victory and it would be wise for the Redblacks to bring him back under a new deal. If Masoli proves himself to the Redblacks, then maybe Ottawa will renegotiate his deal or he will find a new team after the 2024 season.
Do you think the Redblacks should keep Jeremiah Masoli or let him go? Leave a comment below.
