Ottawa Redblacks agree to terms with All-CFL running back Greg Bell: sources

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

The Ottawa Redblacks have agreed to terms with American running back Greg Bell, per sources. Barring anything unforeseen, he’s expected to sign with the team.

The 27-year-old Bell originally signed with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in March 2024. He dressed for eight games as a CFL rookie, registering 94 carries for 625 yards, 6.6 per carry, with six touchdowns on the ground plus 29 receptions for 230 yards and one major.

Bell produced a breakout season for the Ticats in 2025, recording 184 carries for 1,038 yards, 5.6 per carry, with five touchdowns and 62 catches for 426 yards while finding pay dirt through the air once. He led all CFL backs in receptions last season, edging Canadian Brady Oliveira by one, and earned East Division all-star honours for his efforts.

The six-foot, 200-pound ball-carrier signed with the Detroit Lions after going unselected in the 2022 NFL Draft and also had a stint with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2023, though he didn’t dress for any regular season games. He earned nearly $500,000 USD during his time in the NFL.

Bell ran 358 times for 1,728 yards with 15 touchdowns, added 15 receptions for 119 yards plus one score over 21 games at San Diego State University during the 2020 and 2021 seasons. He ran a 4.63 time in the 40-yard dash at the Aztecs pro day in 2022.

The Chula Vista, California native played at the University of Nebraska in 2018 where he carried the ball 35 times for 173 yards and caught four passes for 14 yards. He started his collegiate career at Arizona Western Community College, rushed 382 times for 2,404 yards with 18 touchdowns and notched 16 receptions for 214 yards in 21 games over two seasons.

Pending CFL free agents can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise, however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.