Signing a four-year contract in the CFL is so unusual, Austin Mack and his agent first checked with the league to see whether it was permitted.
And now that the 26-year-old Montreal receiver has stability for himself and his family, he hopes the extension he signed last week means he’ll eventually retire as an Alouette.
“I know (four-year contracts) aren’t something that’s normally done,” Mack told The Gazette by telephone on Monday. “It was stability, hitting the numbers I wanted and just trying to be smart. I didn’t want to do something for two years and bounce around. I want to be in Montreal.
“My journey’s crazy,” Mack added. “I’ve been in a lot of awesome places, but to be in a situation where they stuck their neck out for me multiple times. They were always there for me and put me in a great opportunity. I absolutely love the team, love what (head coach Jason) Maas and (general manager) Danny Maciocia are doing.”
After catching 78 passes for 1,154 yards while scoring four touchdowns last season with the Als, along with being named a CFL all-star, Mack signed with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons last winter as a free agent. Despite receiving a US$24,000 signing bonus, he was released following the Falcons’ opening exhibition game and returned to Montreal on Aug. 19. He caught three passes for 32 yards six days later, in a 21-17 victory against Edmonton.
Mack reportedly becomes the first Als player since quarterback Vince Ferragamo in 1981 to sign a four-year contract. The extension will take effect next season and undoubtedly includes a signing bonus and incentives, which are standard in the CFL.
When management initially approached Mack after last year’s Grey Cup, he was believed to be seeking a two-year deal worth $500,000 in total. Mack probably will become the Als’ second highest-paid player, behind quarterback Cody Fajardo.
“He has been bouncing around from one place to another over the last few years,” Maciocia said. “You go to an NFL camp and think you’re going to make it. Before you know it you’re released. It’s all the bouncing around. It comes a point in time for him and his wife … like a lot of people you need to put down some roots.
“He has talked about Montreal as being that place. With the exception of Ohio State, this has been his best experience on the football front and with an organization. Instead of him being a free agent every single year and going through that racket in the month of February, he chose to settle down.”
After playing collegiately for the Buckeyes, Mack signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2020. His three-year deal included a US$12,500 signing bonus and another US$87,500 guaranteed. He played 11 games with the Giants as a rookie, catching seven passes for 91 yards. He was released the following season after being placed on injured reserve. Mack was briefly on Tennessee’s practice roster before signing with San Francisco. He was among the 49ers’ final training camp cuts in 2022.
Mack has closed the book on an NFL career.
“Danny Maciocia is a man of his word,” said the 6-foot-2, 213-pound Mack. “I told him straight up I won’t pursue any other NFL opportunities if we can reach an agreement on something that makes sense — not only for you guys but myself and my family.
“I’ll be well compensated.”
Following a bye week in the schedule, the Als resumed practice on Monday and are preparing to host B.C. Friday night. Following a “crazy week” during which his “world flipped over in a matter of days” Mack expects a good week of practice in the hopes of establishing more continuity with Fajardo.
“They’re on a roll and have had a groove going,” Mack said. “To hop back into a position mid-season … I want to fit in the best I can. We’re 10-1. I’m not trying to be a greedy player. I need to build continuity and trust. It doesn’t matter what I did last year.”
Meanwhile, rush-end Lwal Uguak, the Als’ first-round (seventh overall) draft choice in 2023, could rejoin the team in about two weeks. Recently released by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Uguak is expecting an injury settlement after hurting his shoulder at camp. Uguak is under contract to Montreal through 2025.