The Ottawa Redblacks have a new starting quarterback.
Jake Maier will start for the team in Week 1 against the Edmonton Elks, new Redblacks head coach Ryan Dinwiddie announced Thursday.
Maier, signed by the Redblacks this off-season after being the backup to Trevor Harris for the Grey Cup-winning Saskatchewan Roughriders, won the job over incumbent Dru Brown.
“Jake’s going to be our starter moving forward,” Dinwiddie told reporters. “I told (both quarterbacks) that about four days ago. Just wanted to get Jake going, we feel like he’s the starting quarterback, so let’s not wait to announce it.”
Maier was 10-for-14 for 155 yards with two touchdowns and no interceptions in last week's win over Montreal in the team's first-pre-season game, while Brown did not play.
Brown, 29, led the Redblacks to the playoffs in his first season as a starter in 2023, but missed half of last season due to injury and was 2-7 as a starter.
Maier, 29, was the Calgary Stampeders' starter for 2.5 seasons before signing as backup to Harris in Saskatchewan last season. He started two games last year, going 1-1.
Maier will play with the starters in Friday's pre-season finale against Montreal. The season opener is June 6 against visiting Edmonton.
"It's a good opportunity for us as a full group," Maier said. "We put a lot of good work in during training camp. It's really our first go-around as a complete unit just to see how good we can be for each other. I think it's a good opportunity to compete."
