Ottawa Redblacks sign former Saskatchewan Roughriders kicker Brett Lauther: sources

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The Ottawa Redblacks have signed veteran Canadian kicker Brett Lauther, per sources.

That move comes after Lewis Ward was released on Thursday, which left Ottawa without a kicker on the roster.

There are some key reasons as to why the Redblacks swapped national kickers. Lauther’s big kickoff leg played a major factor. He averaged 65 yards per kickoff in 2025, despite playing at less than 100 percent, compared to Ward, who posted 55.9 yards per kickoff — a 9.1-yard difference.

With the team moving on from veteran punter Richie Leone, who handled kickoff duties when physically able, Ottawa wanted a stronger leg, which Lauther gives them. He also allows the Redblacks to utilize a Global punter — James Burnip is currently on the roster — along with dressing another American that could help on special teams and defence.

Lauther made 39-of-54 field goal attempts in 2025 with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, making 72.2 percent of his kicks as he battled through a nagging back injury. It was the worst conversion rate in his eight-year tenure in Green and White and the lowest in the league, trailing the aforementioned Ward last season.

The 35-year-old also made a league-worst 91.2 percent of his converts and missed a 39-yard field goal attempt in the fourth quarter during the 112th Grey Cup against Montreal, prompting his release by the Riders in January.

The Truro, N.S., native has suited up for 118 regular-season games over eight CFL seasons, the majority with the Roughriders. He has made 301-of-370 career field goal attempts, 81.3 percent, while making 93.3 percent of his extra points.

The six-foot, 195-pound kicker was originally selected in the seventh round, 53rd overall, during the 2013 CFL Draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats out of Saint Mary’s University. He made brief stops with Toronto, Edmonton, and Saskatchewan before latching on permanently in his third stint with the Roughriders in 2018.

Lauther did not want to retire after his release from Saskatchewan and signed on for his next opportunity in the nation’s capital.

The Redblacks were the CFL’s most active team in 2026 free agency, adding players such as quarterback Jake Maier, running back Greg Bell, offensive lineman Martez Ivey, defensive lineman Habakkuk Baldonado, linebacker A.J. Allen, strong-side linebacker C.J. Reavis, and defensive back Demerio Houston. The team also had a few key departures, including quarterback Dustin Crum (Montreal Alouettes), strong-side linebacker Adarius Pickett (Toronto Argonauts), and return specialist DeVonte Dedmon (Montreal Alouettes).

Ottawa holds the first overall pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, which is scheduled for Tuesday, April 28 at 7 p.m. ET. All CFL training camps are scheduled to open on Sunday, May 10. The team will play its first preseason game against the Montreal Alouettes on Friday, May 22, and its first regular-season game against the Edmonton Elks on Saturday, June 6.

In 2025, the Redblacks finished fourth in the East Division standings with a 4-14 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in the last six seasons. Ryan Dinwiddie was hired as the team’s head coach and general manager after Bob Dyce was fired.