The Ottawa Redblacks have agreed to terms with strong-side linebacker Patrick Levels on a two-year contract through the 2023 season, per sources.
He won’t guarantee any wins publicly anymore, but Levels will guarantee his team will prepare to execute and win every time the red and black step out on the field. Levels adds swagger, confidence and energy to the defence in the nation’s capital, which will improve Ottawa’s unit that allowed a league-worst 384 points last year, although 338 were actually allowed by the defence.
Levels earned $100,000 prorated while starting 12 games for the Montreal Alouettes during the shortened 2021 regular season, recording 42 tackles, three sacks and one interception returned for a touchdown. He famously guaranteed a win against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Semi-Final, but the Als ultimately lost.
The 27-year-old signed with the Ticats in 2020 after spending the 2019 season in La Belle Province, but never suited up in black and gold because the season was cancelled to due the COVID pandemic. The five-foot-11, 187-pound defender played in all 18 regular season games for the Alouettes during the 2019 season, registering 86 tackles, five sacks and two forced fumbles on the way to being named an East Division all-star.
Before joining Montreal, Levels spent two seasons with the Calgary Stampeders where he appeared in 25 games notching 36 tackles, 14 special teams takedowns and one interception. He played in two Grey Cups, winning the CFL championship in 2018 with the Stamps.
The Dallas native played four seasons for Baylor University between 2013-2016 where he recorded 89 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, six-and-a-half sacks, five fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles and defended two passes in 35 games with the Bears. After going unselected in the 2017 NFL Draft, Levels attended rookie mini-camp with the Indianapolis Colts, however, he was not offered a contract.
