In the wake of a heartbreaking Grey Cup loss, Montreal Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia has laid out his definitive roadmap for the 2026 season, targeting contract extensions and roster depth as the keys to finishing the job.
Post-Grey Cup Reflection and Off-Season Blueprint
While the city of Montreal would have been celebrating a championship parade, the Alouettes' management instead convened at Olympic Stadium to dissect a season that fell just one game short of the ultimate prize. General Manager Danny Maciocia pointed to a cascade of injuries as the primary obstacle, particularly during a devastating August. "We were decimated, especially during the month of August," Maciocia stated. "We had close to 11 starters that were out. I don’t even have to tell you what took place at the quarterback position."
Franchise QB Health and Backup Quarterback Conundrum
The emergence of Davis Alexander as the franchise quarterback was a clear bright spot, but his season was marred by a recurring left hamstring injury. The 27-year-old started only seven regular-season games, with the injury first appearing from overtraining in April and persisting through the East Division final and the Grey Cup game itself. Head coach Jason Maas, a former CFL quarterback, attributed the issue to Alexander's drive. "In my opinion, this was a direct result of overtraining," Maas explained, noting that the organization will work with Alexander on a revised training regimen for the winter.
With Alexander's status as the starter secure, a major off-season focus will be solidifying the backup role. McLeod Bethel-Thompson, Shea Patterson, and Caleb Evans are among the team's 22 potential free agents, leaving the position in a state of flux. James Morgan, who saw action in three games, remains under contract.
Priority Number One: Re-signing Tyson Philpot
At the very top of Maciocia's to-do list is securing a new contract for dynamic Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot. The former first-round draft pick is a classic ratio-changer, but his market value will be high despite missing six games in 2025 due to injury. "Sure, (Philpot) is at the top of my list," Maciocia confirmed. "But we’ve got to find a way to make it work. Where there’s a will, there’s a way." The negotiation is complicated by the potential for Philpot to test free agency in February, where he could be tempted to join his twin brother, Jalen, on the Calgary Stampeders.
The Alouettes have a significant number of key players heading toward free agency. The list includes:
- Receivers Cole Spieker and Charleston Rambo
- Five offensive linemen, including starters Pier-Olivier Lestage and Donny Ventrelli
- Defensive tackle Dylan Wynn
- Middle-linebacker Darnel Sankey
- Defensive backs Dionté Ruffin and Ciante Evans
- Safety Marc-Antoine Dequoy
Maciocia emphasized that improving the team's depth, particularly at Canadian receiver and in the return game, is crucial. He aims to have the majority of his off-season work completed before Christmas, setting a fast-approaching deadline for these critical negotiations.
