The Ottawa Redblacks have granted strong-side linebacker Adarius Pickett an early release.

“After discussions with his agent, we have decided to release Adarius so he can become a free agent,” vice president of football operations Sean Burke said in a statement. “I would like to thank Adarius for his contribution to the club on and off the field over the past two seasons. We wish him the best of luck in the future.”

The 29-year-old was a pending free agent. He was named All-East Division in 2024 and 2025 as a member of the Redblacks, recording 136 defensive tackles, 28 special teams tackles, three sacks, two interceptions and one forced fumble. He received these awards despite suffering a torn Achilles tendon late in the 2024 season.

The Berkeley, California native played in 79 regular season CFL games over five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, Toronto Argonauts and Redblacks, recording 337 defensive tackles, 66 special teams tackles, 14 sacks, five forced fumbles and four interceptions.

Pickett is a one-time All-CFL and three-time All-East Division selection. He was also nominated for Defensive Player of the Year in the East in 2023 while playing for the Argonauts.

The Ottawa Redblacks finished 4th in the East with a 4-14 record in 2025, missing the playoffs for the fifth time in the past six seasons. Jrue Brown started nine games as quarterback, throwing for 2,389 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions, compiling a 2-7 record. Dustin Crum went 2-4 in six starts, throwing for 1,771 yards, six touchdowns, and two interceptions.

The Redblacks ranked sixth in net offense, fifth in net defense and ninth in turnover differential with -16. The club’s top rusher was William Stanback with 698 yards, its top receiver was Justin Hardy with 1,019 yards, and its top tackler was Adarius Pickett with 84 tackles. Ottawa came in eighth with an average attendance of 18,136, down 4.2% from the previous year.