Tiger-Cats, Redblacks close season, look to next year

Field Level Media|published: 10/23/2026, 5:21pm EDT

Nov 8, 2025; Hamilton, Ontario, Canada; Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell (19) throws a pass during warm up before the start of the Eastern Final against the Montreal Alouettes at Hamilton Stadium. Mandatory Credit: John E. Sokolowski-Imagn Images

By any measure, the 2026 season has been a disappointment for the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. Expected to contend for the Grey Cup title, Hamilton instead enters its season finale on Saturday against the visiting Ottawa Redblacks at 5-12, its playoff hopes quashed a while back.

But the Tiger-Cats already have gotten to work on next year and beyond with the signing of star quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to a contract extension through the 2028 season on Friday. The loss of Mitchell to a season-ending broken ankle in July effectively capsized the season four games into it.

"I'm close to being fully recovered, recharged and excited about what's ahead," he said Friday. "I believe we have the people and the commitment to win here. I am committed to bringing a championship back to Hamilton."

With a healthy Mitchell, the Tiger-Cats won the East regular-season title last year before losing to Montreal in the conference final. Hamilton has used three quarterbacks in Mitchell's absence, with Harrison Frost getting most of the snaps lately.

The Tiger-Cats were off last week after absorbing a 27-12 home loss to West regular-season champion Edmonton on Oct. 9.

Meanwhile, Ottawa (1-16) avoided a winless season last week by rallying for a 40-39 home win over Toronto, also snapping a 22-game losing streak. Bryson Barnes led a drive in the last seconds, finding Ayden Eberhardt for the game-winning touchdown pass with six seconds remaining. Paul Geelen followed by making the tiebreaking extra point.

Barnes made the most of his first start, completing 27 of 37 passes for 339 yards while adding another 62 yards on the ground.

"Obviously, the season hasn't gone the way we would have liked but I'm just happy for the guys that the hard work finally paid off with a win this week," Barnes said.

The Redblacks had several chances to break through before last week. Six of their defeats were in single digits, including a 40-38 loss at Calgary on Sept. 19 that saw Rene Paredes boot a 62-yard field goal in the final seconds.

Hamilton notched a 34-16 triumph at Ottawa on Oct. 2 in the teams' only meeting this season.

--Field Level Media