In early July against Toronto, following an injury to Cody Fajardo, Davis Alexander wasn’t the Alouettes’ next option at quarterback. Instead, he remained on the sidelines while Caleb Evans continued struggling.
Recommended Videos
At the time, it appeared Alexander had no future with the Als.
Now, less than five months later, he has been deemed the future of the franchise and will report to training camp in May as the undisputed starter after signing a three-year contract — including a $120,000 bonus — earlier this week.
Montreal general manager Danny Maciocia might come out of this looking like a genius if the small sample size Alexander has displayed comes to fruition. If not, it could ultimately cost Maciocia his job.
“Scary money doesn’t win at the casino,” Maciocia told The Gazette following the conclusion of a press conference, attended by Alexander, Thursday morning at Olympic Stadium. “I think I’ve got enough information accumulated that I can make an educated decision based on what I have before me, and the exchanges I had with other people in the organization.
“You can’t live life being scared,” he continued. “You can’t do this job being scared. Are you always going to have 100 per cent of the information? Impossible. But if you wait, you’re never going to take (the decision), or someone else is going to beat you to it. I have enough information and data. He’s been here three years. I’ve seen him grow. Everything is process-driven here.”
In 2013, after Anthony Calvillo suffered a concussion during a game at Saskatchewan and ultimately was forced to retire, the Als didn’t have an heir apparent at the position. Montreal made the playoffs in 2014, but didn’t the next four seasons — in a nine-team league where six qualify for post-season play.
Maciocia at least has learned from the egregious mistake made by Jim Popp, the Als’ GM at the time. Montreal has invested three years into Alexander, only 26, and wasn’t prepared to see another team reap the benefits of that development come February, when Alexander would have become eligible to sign elsewhere as a free agent.
There’s no doubt Alexander, 6 feet and 200 pounds, has something about him. He’s a determined leader, willing to sacrifice his body to gain that extra yard, and has proved to be a winner. He displayed his mettle last season while his father, Matt, battled Stage 4 lung cancer that ultimately cost him his life. Yet Alexander, despite limited time away from the team, continued battling and winning games. He became visibly emotional Thursday, brought to tears, when discussing his late father.
When Alexander finally got off the bench to start the second half July 25 against the Roughriders, he rallied the Als from a 13-point deficit. Alexander then beat Hamilton, a last-place team, twice, and scored a dramatic 15-yard touchdown run in the final seconds and propelled Montreal to another comeback victory at Regina. He also started, and won, Oct. 14 against Ottawa, before coming off the bench in the final two games, at B.C. and against Winnipeg.
Alexander passed for 1,347 yards and six touchdowns while completing 69.5 per cent of his passes. He was intercepted twice. He also gained 166 yards on 24 carries, scoring three times. Now that he’s the starter, Alexander might have to become more judicious when it comes to scrambling, but won’t take anything for granted.
“I know there’s high expectations. That doesn’t bother or scare me,” Alexander said. “I don’t think I ever believed I didn’t have a future here. Danny brought me in himself. He’s the general manager and scouted me. It’s not like there has been a change (in management). We’ve had great talks the past three years. I think he has always had my back.
“Sure, I’m a competitor and there were some frustrating times. You have to be ready for your opportunity, because they don’t come too often in this league. If you take advantage of that opportunity, your life can change, just like that.
“I never doubted myself. I never doubted my future here. Sure, I could say there were some frustrating times. I persevered. You have to give these coaches a reason why you should be playing.”
It was Fajardo who advised Alexander to seize the brass ring. And it’s Fajardo who now becomes the innocent victim in this drama because he’s 32.
Fajardo led the Als to the Grey Cup in 2023 and was named the game’s most valuable player, prompting management to sign him to an extension through 2025. Fajardo is due for a bonus payment of at least $200,000 on Jan. 15, but will never see a dime. He could return to the Als, playing at a salary of $150,000 at most, but why would he at this stage?
Fajardo justifiably believes he remains a CFL starter, expressing that sentiment earlier this month following the Als’ elimination in the East Division final. Montreal was 5-0 at the time of his injury. Had he remained healthy, Fajardo appeared headed for a season as most outstanding player. Now, he’s forced to contemplate his future instead.
That doesn’t seem fair, but in a nine-team league there are only so many jobs available. When the music stops, Fajardo must hope all the chairs aren’t filled.