QB or not QB? Who’ll be Redblacks’ 2020 starter?

Now that the Ottawa Redblacks have hired a head coach — Paul LaPolice — to replace Rick Campbell, RNation is already in thought overload, wondering who will be the next co-ordinator and who will be the team’s starting quarterback in 2020.

First things first: It wouldn’t be surprising if LaPolice, who will be centre stage at a news conference Monday, assumes the offensive playcalling duties even if somebody else gets the title.

LaPolice has certainly had a lot of success at doing it. He’s been the Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ offensive co-ordinator since 2016.

Worth noting: The Redblacks didn’t have an offensive co-ordinator in 2019 following the early April departure of Jaime Elizondo to the XFL.

The quarterback?

While Dominique Davis, who began the Redblacks’ disastrous 3-15 season as the starting quarterback, may be back, it’s highly unlikely he’ll be the starter. Davis has another year remaining on his contract and it stands to reason if they’re bringing him back they’ll ask him to take a pay cut.

So who’s No. 1? There’s a crop of potential free agents that includes all three of the Blue Bombers QBs — Zach Collaros, Matt Nichols and Chris Streveler — Hamilton’s Jeremiah Masoli and Calgary’s Nick Arbuckle. Winnipeg, Ottawa and Toronto will all need a starting QB from that bunch.

LaPolice’s familiarity factor will be high with each of Collaros, Nichols and Streveler and maybe he tries to help recruit one, even two of those guys to join the Redblacks.