Ottawa REDBLACKS Overhaul Defense, Acquiring Linebacker Kyahva Tezino and Ex-NFL Linemen

The Ottawa REDBLACKS are treating the CFL stretch run like an arms race. Coming off their bye week, the club has completely overhauled its defensive front, executing a strategic trade for linebacker Kyahva Tezino and signing a flurry of former NFL pass rushers ahead of a massive Week 15 clash with the Toronto Argonauts.[1][5]

The centerpiece of the defensive reboot is Tezino. Ottawa pried the 29-year-old American linebacker away from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, sending the exclusive negotiation rights for Northern Arizona University quarterback Ty Pennington the other way.[1][2][3]

Tezino arrives in the nation's capital with serious professional mileage. The San Diego State product has logged stints with the Pittsburgh Steelers, San Francisco 49ers, Carolina Panthers, and New England Patriots, while also grinding through spring football with the UFL's Birmingham Stallions and the USFL's Pittsburgh Maulers.[1][3][4]

Before the trade, Tezino was stashed on Winnipeg's practice roster after signing in late August. For Ottawa, flipping a negotiation-list asset for a veteran linebacker who can immediately step into the rotation is a pure win-now calculation.[2]

Neither the REDBLACKS nor the Blue Bombers offered extended public commentary on the transaction, letting the official transaction wire speak for itself. However, the moves clearly outline the divergent priorities of the two franchises at this stage of the 2026 season.[1]

On the other side of the ledger, the Blue Bombers are playing the long game, continuing to stockpile future quarterback prospects. Pennington, a six-foot-two, 220-pound senior, has been lighting up the collegiate ranks, passing for 5,568 yards in 25 games.[2][6]

During his 2025 campaign, Pennington threw for 3,116 yards and 19 touchdowns, earning the Big Sky Conference Newcomer of the Year honors in 2024. By securing his exclusive CFL rights, Winnipeg adds another layer of insurance to their quarterback pipeline—marking the second time in 2026 they've dealt with Ottawa for a signal-caller, following the acquisition of Dru Brown in June.[2]

But Tezino is far from the only new enforcer touching down in Ottawa. The REDBLACKS have also signed former Cincinnati Bengals pass rusher Amani Bledsoe and former Baltimore Ravens defensive lineman Isaiah Mack. Both American linemen are slated to make their CFL debuts this weekend after joining the club just days ago.[5]

The defensive trench will be further reinforced by the debut of former Montreal Alouette Kori Roberson. This sudden influx of defensive talent is designed to immediately disrupt opposing backfields—a non-negotiable requirement given what's waiting for Ottawa on Saturday.[5]

The immediate test for this revamped unit comes at BMO Field against the Toronto Argonauts. Toronto enters the matchup riding immense offensive momentum, fresh off a 37-22 dismantling of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the Labour Day Classic.[5]

Ottawa's new defenders face the daunting task of containing Argonauts quarterback Chad Kelly, who currently paces the entire CFL with 3,961 passing yards. Kelly's favorite target, Damonte Coxie, ranks third in the league with 1,043 receiving yards, presenting a lethal vertical threat.[5]

Mid-season defensive overhauls always carry inherent risks regarding chemistry and scheme familiarity. But by targeting battle-tested players with extensive NFL and alternative-league pedigrees, Ottawa's front office is betting that raw talent and professional instincts will override the learning curve.[3][5]