In the Ottawa Redblacks’ preseason game against the Montreal Alouettes on Saturday, May 24th, 2025, Jaylen Samuels, a former NFL running back, showed his class once again. By joining the CFL team, Jaylen Samuels is trying to make a comeback in his career, and his performance in the preseason game, which was his debut, showed that he meant business about bringing his career back to life.
As CFL preseason action heats up, fans are increasingly turning to the latest Canadian betting sites to follow and wager on their favourite teams and players. These sites have competitive odds, live betting options, and early lines on preseason standouts like Samuels. His outstanding performance is not only creating excitement on the field but also drawing attention from bettors looking to spot rising stars before the regular season kicks off.
What Happened in The Game
The Ottawa Redblacks dominated the game with a 23-7 score. In the first quarter, the score was 6-1 in favour of the Redblacks after Devonte Dedmon scored a 70-yard touchdown. In the second quarter, both teams failed to score a point. In the third quarter, however, the game turned on its head as Ottawa Redblacks scored 17 points thanks to field goals from Lewis Ward, Dustin Crum and Samuels’ touchdown.
The Alouettes managed to score three points in the third quarter, and in the fourth, they were the only team to score as they got three points, but it wasn’t enough to level the score line. 
Samuels had an impressive runout. He had two carries, which went for 26 yards while scoring a touchdown. His first carry of the day was a 24-yard touchdown while also making three passes across 13 yards.
The game ended in favour of the Ottawa Redblacks, giving them a huge boost going into the regular season.
Jaylen Samuels’ Career Journey
Samuels signed for the Ottawa Redblacks on the 28th of April in a move to revamp his career. He has been away from the NFL for a few seasons, and he has been trying to get himself back into the limelight.
In 2018, Samuels was selected as a fifth-round pick by the Steelers in the NFL draft. Samuels played with the Steelers from 2018-2021. In this period, he proved that he can be a reliable backup as he slotted in perfectly behind James Conner in the team’s H-back depth chart.
As a rookie on the team’s chart in 2018, Samuels rushed around 56 times for 226 yards, and he also caught 26 passes for 199 yards, even though he was the backup. In the remaining seasons at the Steelers, he saw his playing time reduced as more players were signed, keeping him as a backup option throughout his time at the Steelers.
He later signed with the Houston Texans in the 2021 NFL season, but he was released in May. Samuels played with the Arizona Cardinals for some part of the 2022 off-season before signing for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL in 2023. He also didn’t play a game there despite signing in the spring. There was a merger between the USFL and XFL leagues, and Samuels’ rights got transferred to the San Antonio Brahmas of the UFL, but he was also released. It is estimated that
What This Means For The CFL
For the CFL, Samuels’ move is one that can draw attention to the league and make a difference in the football landscape. He joins two former Steelers who are signing with teams in the CFL this offseason. Other names include Daijun Edwards, who signed for the Montreal Alouettes, and Qadree Ollison, who signed for the BC Lions. 
Samuels instant impact at the Ottawa Redblacks shows that he is on the right path to turning his career around. It also shows that athletes who are faced with uncertainties can bounce back and turn their careers around. For the Redblacks, Samuels’ journey can change the course of their season, pushing them to victory at the end of the season.
