Shawn Burke staying ready for next CFL opportunity since Ottawa Redblacks firing

Photo courtesy: Bob Butrym/RFB Sport Photography

It’s been a little over one month since Shawn Burke was fired by the Ottawa Redblacks, but the veteran personnel man remains hard at work as he hopes to be back in a job soon.

“I’m pretending that there’s an expansion franchise that’s being hired somewhere,” Burke told 3DownNation via telephone late last week.

“I’m being the guy to scout players, put together potential (negotiation) list guys, look at draft prospects, look at CFL free agents, watch teams’ film, and stay abreast. That’s sort of what my daily attack is right now. Some days I do more than others, but definitely keeping busy and keeping current.”

The native of Guelph, Ont. was hired as the second general manager in Redblacks history in 2022. The team had gone 6-26 over the previous two seasons, missing the playoffs both years. It was clear that turning the organization around was going to be a tough task.

After a slow start, there was a momentary glimmer of hope when the team made the playoffs in 2024. There was another spark following the 2025 season, when the team pried one-time CFL Coach of the Year and three-time Grey Cup champion Ryan Dinwiddie away from the Toronto Argonauts.

However, Burke’s tenure in Ottawa was unsuccessful. Under his leadership, the Redblacks posted a regular-season record of 21-60-1, and did not host nor win a playoff game.

“I’d hoped that they were going to give (Dinwiddie) and myself more time as a tandem, but at the end of the day, we didn’t win enough games in my time there, be it for whatever reasons,” said Burke.

“I have nothing but good things to say about OSEG, from the ownership group, to Mark and (former team president) Adrian (Sciarra), and wish them nothing but the best.”

Shortcomings at the quarterback position is the primary reason the Redblacks have struggled since Trevor Harris departed the franchise following the 2018 season.

Jeremiah Masoli was brought over from Hamilton in 2022, though he started only five regular-season games over two years due to a fractured leg and a ruptured Achilles. Dru Brown was acquired in 2024 but fell out of favour late the following year, and was replaced with Jake Maier for 2026.

The team was also unable to develop its own quarterback, despite players like Dustin Crum, Tyrie Adams, and Caleb Evans all being given chances to play relatively early in their careers.

Though developing a quarterback is arguably the best way to go about securing a quality starter, Burke doesn’t think many teams have been successful in doing so in the recent history of the league.

“I think if you look at the development side of developing quarterbacks, the CFL in the last 20 years hasn’t done a lot of that. There’s a lot of the ‘next guy,’ and then they end up somewhere else,” he said.

“I don’t think it’s just an Ottawa thing, I think it’s a league-wide thing. If you looked beyond Davis (Alexander in Montreal) and Nathan (Rourke in B.C.), the last guy (developed in-house) before that was probably Bo Levi (Mitchell in Calgary).

“The rest of the guys have had various stops along the way and ups and downs through their career, including a guy like Trevor, who is balling out in Saskatchewan right now.”

When asked what he would do differently if he got another opportunity to become a general manager in the future, Burke is still in the assessment phase.

“I think you’re still evaluating that, and you learn along the way. I definitely don’t lack confidence or belief in myself, so you’re going to learn from mistakes, but also what goes right and wrong isn’t necessarily always right on you as well,” said Burke.

“I want to use this next opportunity as a learning point to learn from someone else. I was the youngest GM (in the CFL) for the last five years, so I have a lot of confidence in myself, but I’m not worried about that second GM opportunity. What I’m worried about is going to a place where I can work with great people, can win, and just continue to grow as a professional.”

It seems as though Burke would already be working for another team if he had it his way, though the CFL’s operations cap makes midseason hirings virtually impossible.

It remains unclear which teams will have openings following the 2026 season, though the 45-year-old is open to all possibilities. During his tenure with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, his titles included director of football operations, assistant general manager, senior director of player personnel, and co-manager of football operations.

“I wanna be in the league next year, and one of the things is having to stay current with that,” said Burke. “There’s always something to do or evaluate, and we just got through a busy time where there was NFL cutdown. Obviously, U Sports is starting up, and then you have to prepare with watching CFL film with the nature of how free agency is each and every year, so definitely staying current.

“I want to be able to hopefully talk to some teams in the offseason and show them that I haven’t just went on a three-month (stint of) sort of not doing anything. I’m disciplined and I want to work each day and get better, and be prepared for my next opportunity.”

“I have high hopes for being back in the league next year. I think I have a great reputation in the league. People know who I am and what I am, and I look forward to talking to teams if they want to talk to me when the season ends.”

The Redblacks remain winless, and recently tied the Shreveport Pirates for the worst start to a CFL season at 0-14. Despite being fired by the organization, Burke continues to watch their games closely and wants to see them succeed.

“You pour your heart and soul into an organization, and (Dinwiddie) and myself are close. We actually live three blocks away from each other, still chat a lot. I think anyone that knows me knows I’m close with staff members, and I’m responsible for a lot of the players either being here or coming in here,” said Burke.

“I definitely want to see them taste a victory, they’ve worked hard every day. Secondly, you want to have Ottawa get on the road to some success here. You want to have nine strong, healthy markets in our league.”