In a perfect world, quarterback Cody Fajardo would have made his triumphant return from a hamstring injury last week at Saskatchewan — his home for three seasons before signing with the Alouettes as a free agent last year.
But life doesn’t always work out the way we want.
“It was difficult to wait, but it was a smart thing to do,” Fajardo said. “That’s probably the most games I’ve missed in my career. Obviously staying on the sideline hurts, but when your team wins four games when you’re out, it’s nice. You don’t feel rushed to get back.”
Fajardo returns as the Als’ starting quarterback Sunday night (7 p.m., TSN1, TSN3, TSN4, RDS, TSN Radio-690, 98.5 FM) when Montreal hosts Edmonton at Molson Stadium. The Als will honour members of the 1974 Grey Cup champions at halftime and will be wearing retro uniforms and helmets from that season.
With a Hamilton loss Friday night at Winnipeg or an Als’ win on Sunday, Montreal will clinch an East Division playoff berth.
Fajardo suffered a hamstring injury at the end of the first quarter July 11, against Toronto, replaced by Caleb Evans. Montreal suffered its only defeat that night. Evans started again two weeks later, against the Roughriders, but was replaced by Davis Alexander to begin the second half.
The Als came back from a 13-point deficit that night and haven’t looked back, Alexander winning three games as the starter and going 4-0 overall. It has been years — if at all — since Montreal had such a solid tandem at the quarterback position.
While the bar has been set high for Fajardo thanks to Alexander, it shouldn’t be forgotten Montreal was 5-0 this season with him after ending 2023 on an eight-game winning streak, including post-season play.
Fajardo, who was named the Cup’s most valuable player last season, has completed 141 of 182 passes for 1,636 yards and 10 touchdowns while being intercepted four times. His season-high performance of 393 yards and three touchdowns came June 20 against Ottawa.
Head coach Jason Maas made it clear throughout Fajardo’s recovery process he would return as the starter once healthy. Truthfully, the topic never had to be broached.
“He (Alexander) did a great job of coming in and doing the unexpected, making the uncomfortable look comfortable,” Fajardo, 32, said. “I told him I was jealous how he made it look so damn easy. For a young guy without a lot of experience, he came in and made it look too damn easy. It took me five or six years. I’m extremely proud of him. We have a great relationship. He has a great football mind and I ask him questions.”
Fajardo said it helped his mental recovery being activated last week, participating in the pre-game warm-up and knowing he potentially was one play away from returning to action. What remains to be determined, is how quickly he can get up to game speed.
“When the game comes, adrenalin’s going to be running high,” Fajardo said. “I’ll be confident in the ability I’ve shown over the last two years here. I’ll go out and try to get into a rhythm and a flow.”
If nothing else, Fajardo’s injury proved to Mass and the organization the team can win with Alexander. That didn’t diminish how surprised many were with how quickly he performed at a high level.
“The biggest thing (Alexander) did was run the offence efficiently and play within himself,” said Maas, himself a former CFL quarterback. “He made plays when they were there to be made and has a special skill-set and ability. Hats off to him for holding it down for us. He’s a much better quarterback now after that experience than he was going in. And we already knew he was pretty damn good.”
While the Elks (3-7) are last in the West Division and already fired head coach and general manager Chris Jones, the team is on a three-game winning streak and has scored more points than they’ve allowed. Montreal edged Edmonton 23-20 at Commonwealth Stadium on June 14 in its second game this season.