Montreal Alouettes | The 7 works of Danny Maciocia

In a month, the Canadian Football League (CFL) free agent market will open. In three months, it will be the draft. Since the end of the Montreal Alouettes season, general manager Danny Maciocia has resolved several issues. But others still need to be addressed. Maciocia spoke with members of the media to provide an update Tuesday morning.

The targets

The Alouettes’ defensive unit saved the team on numerous occasions in 2024. However, Maciocia wants to strengthen it. Last year, the Montreal defensive line ranked sixth in the CFL in sacks, with 34. The general manager also wants to add reinforcement on the offensive line, as it allowed 40 sacks , tied for sixth position on the circuit. “We will be putting players under contract in the coming weeks. And then we focus on the draft. The draft is very important. The core is already in place, but we need to add a little depth,” explained Maciocia.

Kaion Julien-Grant

The 28-year-old Canadian receiver will be entitled to full autonomy on February 11. Last season, Julien-Grant participated in 12 games and collected 486 yards. In the absence of Austin Mack and Tyler Snead, he had his uses. But a shoulder injury caused him to miss six games. And he never really found his bearings. The tone used by Maciocia in broaching the subject suggested that Julien-Grant would probably play for another team in 2025: “We haven’t had many conversations with Kaion. We spoke with his agent before the end of the season. Nothing has changed in the file. We try to spend our money intelligently. »

Avery Ellis

The 30-year-old defensive lineman represents a questionable case for next season, according to Maciocia. “He’s on our radar. In the last few weeks, we have been quite proactive in granting contracts to certain players to ensure we have them for a year or two before they become free agents. We want to keep our foundation in place. But we know that we can’t keep everyone. In an ideal world, we would keep everyone, but we do not live in an ideal world. » Ellis had 17 tackles and 2 sacks in 18 games last season.

Fight among kickers

On November 21, the Alouettes awarded a two-year contract to kicker Jose Maltos. Then, on January 10, the team also reached an agreement with David Côté on the terms of a one-year contract. The Quebecer started the season as a starter before injuring his right leg after four games. He did not play again in 2024. “ [Côté] wanted an opportunity to compete and fight for position. The most important thing, we must never forget, is that we need two kickers. So at camp, there will be a competition between the two. It will last three weeks and two exhibition games. And whoever wins will be the starter in the first game of the season. »

Stability among quarterbacks

The Alouettes’ off-season was marked by a change at the quarterback position. Davis Alexander became the go-to guy and Cody Fajardo was traded to the Edmonton Elks for McLeod Bethel-Thompson. The newcomer also signed a one-season contract with the Als on Monday. “We wanted to have a second quarterback with experience, especially during Davis Alexander’s first year as a starter. He excelled last year and we think he will be a good mentor for Davis. I learned over time that you always need a substitute who can win two or three matches. And I don’t know if there is a better number 2,” stressed the general manager.

Reggie Stubblefield

Stubblefield tore an anterior cruciate ligament in the season opener. The defensive back established himself as one of the team’s strong links during the year of the Gray Cup in 2023. “With the injury he suffered last year, he is still in rehabilitation. There’s still a way to go, but it’s heading in the right direction. We had discussions with him and his agent. We have not reached an agreement. Do we still talk to each other? Yes. Are we going to reach an agreement? I don’t know. There are choices to make and a ceiling to respect,” said the CEO about the person who will become a free agent.

Shawn Lemon

Because he bet on CFL games in 2021, including one involving him, Lemon was suspended indefinitely by the CFL in April. The Players’ Association filed a grievance in May. So Lemon was able to participate in the Alouettes’ first four games. But during the summer, the League maintained and formalized its sentence. A few months later, the case is still on ice, Maciocia confirmed. “I have not received any follow-up on this file. Nothing. Zero. Maybe things will move forward when the CFL has made the transition between the two commissioners. I don’t know. But I think the file will be on the desk of the next commissioner. And that’s where we’ll get more answers. »