Last week, the CFL released the free agent list for all nine teams. Among the free agents set to hit the free agent market is Winnipeg Blue Bombers backup quarterback Dru Brown.
Dru Brown is five foot eleven and weighs 191 pounds. The 26-year-old completed 62 of 89 passes (70%) for 983 yards, 9 touchdowns, 11 carries for 30 yards, and 2 touchdowns in 18 games, of which he appeared in 8 games and started three of them.
The Blue Bombers signed Brown as a free agent on March 11, 2020, but the season was canceled. Brown concluded his third season in Winnipeg completing 102 of 153 passes (67%) for 1,484 yards, 14 touchdowns, 2 interceptions, 37 carries for 113 yards, and 5 touchdowns in 38 games. He is a member of the 2021 Winnipeg Blue Bombers Grey Cup championship team.
Collegiately, Brown played one season at San Mateo in 2015 completing 104 of 194 passes (53.6%) for 1,879 yards, 21 touchdowns 8 interceptions, 63 carries for 188 yards, and 6 touchdowns in 11 games for the Bulldogs.
Next, Brown transferred to Hawaii (2016-17) completing 463 of 747 passes (62%) for 5,273 yards, 37 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 146 carries for 313 yards, and 6 touchdowns in 25 games for the Rainbow Warriors. During his time in Hawaii, Brown was named Hawaii Bowl MVP in 2016 after leading the Rainbow Warriors to a 52-35 win over Middle Tennessee State.
Then, Brown transferred to Oklahoma State (2018-19) completing 72 of 107 passes (67.3%) for 810 yards, 7 touchdowns, 1 interception, 23 carries for 6 yards, and 1 touchdown in 8 games for the Cowboys.
In his three starts for the Blue Bombers, Brown completed 47 of 68 passes (69.1%) for 756 yards, 8 touchdowns, and 2 carries for 13 yards. Brown showed in those three starts that he can lead a team to victory if you give him an offensive-minded coach, an offensive line to protect him, and playmakers.
Calgary head coach Dave Dickenson has won five Grey Cup titles (3 as a player, 2 as a coach) but his play-calling has come into question in the last three seasons. For Calgary to move forward, they needed to clean house but have not done that which makes next season full of uncertainty. Dru Brown is one of many players Calgary needs to get back to the Grey Cup.
Calgary’s starting quarterback Jake Maier completed 363 of 578 passes (62.8%) for 4,237 yards, 19 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, 26 carries for 108 yards, and 3 touchdowns. He finished third in passing yards (4,244) in the regular season behind Vernon Adams Jr., and Zach Collaros. However, Maier was inconsistent at times during the season which led Calgary to finish 6-12 this season. Bringing Dru Brown to Calgary would upgrade the quarterback position and Maier could be the backup.
The Calgary Stampeders will have 37 players hitting the free agent market next offseason. Among the players on offense who are hitting the free agent market include running backs Ka’Deem Carey, Peyton Logan, and Dedrick Mills, and wide receivers Luther Hakunavanhu, Colton Hunchak, and Tyson Middlemost. The offensive line who will be free agents unless re-signed is Bryce Bell, Jamal Campbell, Joshua Coker, Sean McEwan, Ryan Sceviour, and Hugh Thornton.
Most of these offensive players I think will be back but the Stampeders should focus on a makeover. Calgary ranked fourth in offensive points per game (21.8), tied seventh in offensive touchdowns (33), eighth in average net offense (321.5), and seventh in average passing yards (237). Those numbers are not going to win you a Grey Cup.
In conclusion, Dru Brown would be a good signing for the Stampeders once free agency starts in February 2024. Calgary does have some playmakers including rookie wide receiver Cole Tucker and veteran wide receivers Markem Michel and Tre-Odoms Dukes.
If they can rebuild their offense line, re-sign a couple of guys like Dedrick Nichols and Peyton Logan, plus tweak their defense, Calgary can be right back into the Grey Cup hunt in 2024.
Agree 100%