Analysis: Redblacks’ trade of Mauldin IV while still in playoff contention perplexing

The Ottawa Redblacks’ decision to deal veteran defensive lineman Lorenzo Mauldin IV is indeed perplexing.

Ottawa sent Mauldin — the CFL’s top defensive player in 2022 — to the Calgary Stampeders on Sunday for a ’26 fourth-round pick. The deal certainly addressed a big need for the Stamps, who had lost veteran defensive lineman Folarin Orimolade to a season-ending Achilles injury.

Calgary (8-6) is currently tied for second in the West Division with B.C. and Winnipeg (both 8-7). The Stampeders visit the Lions on Saturday.

Ottawa made the move before the CFL trade deadline (3:59 p.m. ET on Wednesday), but the timing is certainly interesting. The Redblacks (4-10) are fourth in the East Division and have lost two straight, but still mathematically remain in playoff contention.

The Redblacks certainly don’t control their playoff destiny. Not only must they win their final four regular-season games, they need second-place Montreal (8-7) to lose out to reach the CFL post-season.

Ottawa returns from a bye week to host the Saskatchewan Roughriders (10-4) on Friday night. That’s certainly a tall order considering the Riders are 5-1 versus East Division teams, but they’ve also lost two straight games.

However, if the Redblacks can add to Saskatchewan’s struggles, they’d have a home-and-home series with Montreal on Oct. 13 and Oct. 18 before finishing their regular season in Hamilton on Oct. 24.

Again, it’s certainly not an easy road to hoe and, yes, much must happen for Ottawa to reach the CFL post-season. But as of today, at least, there’s a potential playoff path for the Redblacks.

So why, then, trade a decorated veteran — Mauldin was a CFL all-star in 2022 and ’24 — for a commodity that might help the Redblacks in 2026? And why dispatch one of your best defensive linemen against the run when your next game is against a team that likes to pound the football with running back A.J. Ouellette (second overall in rushing with 1,057 yards, league-high 204 carries)?

The optics of the trade aren’t good.

The move can be interpreted as a sign Ottawa has given up on its ’25 season and is looking ahead to next year. And judging by the reaction to the deal on social media Sunday and Monday, it’s a conclusion many Redblacks fans have reached.

Mauldin has accumulated 163 defensive tackles (17 for loss), 36 sacks, six forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries, six knockdowns and 12 special-teams tackles over 90 CFL games with Ottawa (2022-25) and Hamilton (2019, ’21).

And he’s been very durable, having appeared in 67 of 68 games since signing with Ottawa. This year, Mauldin has 26 tackles (two for loss), two sacks and three knockdowns in 14 regular-season contests.

Mauldin began his pro career with the New York Jets after being selected in the third round of the ’15 NFL draft. He had 33 tackles, 6.5 sacks and one interception with the club (2015-17).

Trading Mauldin certainly doesn’t help either head coach Bob Dyce or first-year defensive co-ordinator William Fields heading into weekend action. But at least Dyce is under contract to the CFL club through 2026.

There’ve been suggestions Ottawa dealt Mauldin because he’s in the final year of his CFL contract and the club might not be able to re-sign him for 2026. Therefore, it opted to get something for him now rather than get nothing if he left in free agency.

But truthfully, that’s an off-season issue and not a ’25 problem for a team still in playoff contention. Granted, if Ottawa was eliminated from post-season consideration this weekend, then no deal involving Mauldin could be made with the trade deadline having passed.

However, Ottawa could’ve tried dealing Mauldin’s rights in the off-season ahead of free agency. Even if the Redblacks would’ve secured a ’26 pick later than the fourth round, truthfully speaking, U Sports players selected in the fourth round or later usually must prove themselves on special teams before garnering opportunities for more playing time.

Their impact, at least initially, is usually very limited. Certainly much less than a starting defensive player who’s earned two league all-star nods and the CFL’s top defensive player award.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 30, 2025.