Ottawa Redblacks fire VP of football operations Shawn Burke

In a move that will surprise no one, the Canadian Football League team has fired Shawn Burke, who was Ottawa’s general manager for five seasons before being named vice-president of football operations last November.

With Burke in those two positions, the Redblacks compiled a record of 24-71-1, including an 0-10 start in 2026 and an all-time CFL record 16 consecutive losses dating back to last season.

Since the start of August, the club has released several players, including veteran receiver Eugene Lewis, fired defensive co-ordinator Will Fields and relieved Adrian Sciarra from his role as team president .

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The dismissal of Burke leaves GM/head coach Ryan Dinwiddie alone at the steering wheel.

“This is a difficult decision because I have a lot of respect for Shawn,” Ottawa Sports and Entertainment Group CEO Mark Goudie said in a release. “Nobody can question how hard he has worked or how much he cares about the Redblacks. Shawn has embraced this organization and this community, and he has given an enormous amount of himself to the job. I am very grateful to him for that commitment.

“At the same time, our football results have not been good enough. Ultimately, I have a responsibility to make changes when I believe we need a different approach, and I have concluded that a change in our football leadership is necessary.

“Shawn has been a dedicated member of the Redblacks organization over the past five seasons,” added Goudie. “I want to thank him for the professionalism, hard work and commitment he brought to the role, and I wish him and his family the very best.”

OSEG will be providing a further update on the Redblacks’ football operations structure shortly, the release stated.

The Redblacks, who are eight points behind the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the race for a playoff spot, have eight games left on their schedule.