On Friday, the Ottawa Redblacks released quarterback Tyrrell Pigrome after signing quarterback Matthew McKay. This offseason, the Redblacks traded for Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Dru Brown.
In addition, Ottawa also has quarterbacks Jeremiah Masoli, Tyrie Adams, Matthew McKay, and Jake Dunniway, it would be hard for Pigrome to compete for a roster spot in Ottawa. Pigrome will have a chance to sign with another team and possibly make a roster spot or practice squad.
Tyrrell Pigrome is five foot ten and weighs 200 pounds. The 26-year-old from Birmingham, Alabama, completed 3 of 7 passes (42.9%) for 46 yards, 39 carries for 108 yards, and six touchdowns in 14 games for the Ottawa Redblacks in 2023. Pigrome was mainly used in short-yardage situations.
Before Ottawa, Pigrome signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on May 18, 2023, and spent part of the 2023 season on the practice squad. He played two preseason games completing 7 of 10 passes (70%) for 108 yards, one touchdown, 10 carries for 114 yards, and two touchdowns. He was released by the Blue Bombers on June 27, 2023, after the Blue Bombers signed Dakota Prukop.
Collegiately, Pigrome played four years at the University of Maryland (2016-19) completing 152 of 268 passes (57%) for 1,777 yards, 9 touchdowns, 10 interceptions, 176 carries for 630 yards, and 8 touchdowns in 34 games for the Terrapins.
Next, he transferred to Western Kentucky in 2020, completing 171 of 297 passes (58%) for 1,603 yards, two interceptions, 105 carries for 337 yards, and four touchdowns in 11 games for the Hilltoppers. After Western Kentucky, he went to Ole Miss but did not play.
Then, Pigrome transferred to Towson University in 2022 completing 155 of 274 passes (57%) for 1,638 yards, 14 touchdowns, 6 interceptions, 134 carries for 574 yards, and two touchdowns in 11 games for the Tigers.
There are teams in need of a short-yardage specialist that could take a chance. They are Toronto Argonauts, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The Toronto Argonauts currently have three quarterbacks on their roster Chad Kelly, Cameron Dukes, and Bryan Scott. Dukes was used as the short-yardage specialist so they may not sign Pigrome and could continue to use Dukes in that role.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats have Bo Levi Mitchell, Taylor Powell, and Kevin Thomson. The Ticats might have Powell as the short-yardage guy with Matthew Shiltz signing with the Calgary Stampeders. Powell will likely be the backup quarterback to Mitchell and bringing Pigrome in would give them a short-yardage guy and compete with Thomson for the third-string job.
Pigrome’s old team, the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, could also bring him back after losing their short-yardage specialist Dakota Prukop to the B.C. Lions. However, Chris Streveler, who will likely be Collaros’s backup, might take over the role.
The other quarterback Winnipeg has listed is Terry Wilson. Like Hamilton, bringing Pigrome back to Winnipeg would give them a short-yardage specialist and compete with Wilson for the third-string job.
In a short amount of time in the CFL, Pigrome has shown he does deserve a shot to compete for a roster spot. Pigrome might increase his chances for a roster spot if he becomes a running back then he might get offers from multiple teams. If no CFL team signs him, I won’t be surprised if he ends up either in the United Football League or the European League of Football.
