Shawn Burke to return as Ottawa Redblacks’ general manager: report

The Ottawa Redblacks will not be changing their general manager position after missing the playoffs in 2025.

Following the team's 35-15 loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in Friday's regular season finale, team president Adrian Sciarra confirmed by AJ Jakubec TSN 1200 that Sean Burke will continue in his role through the 2026 season.

Burke was hired by the Redblacks in December 2021 after they moved on from their first general manager, Marcel Desjardins. He posted back-to-back 4-14 seasons in his first two years as Ottawa was rocked by injuries to franchise quarterback Jeremiah Masoli, but the organization returned to the playoffs in 2024 with a 9-8-1 record.

The Guelph, Ontario native quietly signed a contract extension with head coach Bob Dies this offseason, locking him in through 2026. However, the team on the field did not live up to expectations, once again finishing with a record of 4-14. In four seasons, Burke compiled a 21-50-1 record.

Sciarra has given no assurances about the future of Dice, who is widely expected to be fired. It appears Burke will be given a second chance to hire a head coach after settling on Dice following the firing of Paul LaPolice in 2022.

Burke had a track record of success even before his time in Ottawa. The Durham College graduate began his career as director of public relations for the Tiger-Cats in 2007 and quickly rose through the ranks to assistant general manager. He later served as senior director of player personnel and co-manager of football operations from 2019 to 2021 as Hamilton advanced to back-to-back Gray Cup games.

Both Burke and Dice will be available to the media at 11 a.m. ET on Saturday, October 25th.