The Ottawa Redblacks' faith in quarterback Jake Maier remains unwavering, despite a challenging start to the 2026 season. Head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie has publicly expressed his continued belief in Maier, even as the team's offensive performance lags behind in various key categories.
Maier's statistics, including completion percentage and interceptions, place him among the bottom-ranked quarterbacks in the league. Yet, Dinwiddie emphasizes the need for improved performance at the quarterback position while also acknowledging the challenges of operating in second-and-long situations.
"We're asking a lot of our quarterback in these tight windows, and it's not easy. We need to find ways to get the run game going and take some pressure off Maier," Dinwiddie said.
The upcoming Week 7 clash against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers adds an intriguing subplot, as former Redblacks starter Dru Brown, now with Winnipeg, is set to face his former team. Brown's impressive performance in Week 6, filling in for an injured Zach Collaros, has raised questions about the Redblacks' decision to bring in Maier and subsequently name him the starter.
Dinwiddie is well aware of the narrative building around this matchup. "I knew this storyline was coming. Dru will be highly motivated, and he has a point to prove. But our focus is on our team and the players we have here," he added.
As the Redblacks prepare for their next game, the pressure is on Maier to deliver, and the team's offensive struggles will be under the microscope. The upcoming matchup against Brown and the Blue Bombers promises to be an intriguing test of Maier's abilities and the Redblacks' resilience.
