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“You may’t have two beginning quarterbacks making starter’s cash,” Common Supervisor Danny Maciocia says. They may want to decide on between them for subsequent season, except they will persuade Fajardo to take much less wage.
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Each CFL staff requires no less than two quarterbacks able to profitable. Over the course of an 18-game common season, it’s uncommon for the starter to not be injured.
The burning query going through Alouettes administration this low season shall be whether or not the group can afford to maintain each Cody Fajardo, 32, who stays beneath contract in 2025 — however is owed a elevate — and his backup, Davis Alexander, 26, a possible free agent in February.
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“You may’t have two beginning quarterbacks making starter’s cash,” Common Supervisor Danny Maciocia mentioned Tuesday afternoon, when he, head coach Jason Maas and staff president Mark Weightman met the media at Olympic Stadium. “That’s a part of the dialogue I’m going to have within the subsequent short time with Jason. Is {that a} dialogue that takes place over the course of 20 minutes or a day? No. It’s going to be extra intense and detailed earlier than we make any selections.
“Can we probably have them each on our roster in 2025? Yeah. How? I’m not there simply but. There’s some thought that has to enter this complete course of. If that chance presents itself, we’ll achieve this. If it doesn’t, we’ll sit down and a choice needs to be rendered as to what’s finest for the Montreal Alouettes transferring ahead. It’s clearly going to be wage pushed.”
The Als gained the Gray Cup final season with Fajardo, who was named the sport’s most respected participant. The staff was 5-0 beneath Fajardo this season, and he gave the impression to be a most excellent participant candidate, earlier than he suffered a hamstring harm, forcing him to overlook the subsequent 4 video games.
Street to the Cup
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Nonetheless, Fajardo nonetheless handed for 3,105 yards and 16 touchdowns whereas finishing 73.6 per cent of his makes an attempt. He was intercepted seven instances. He handed for 330 yards and three touchdowns in final Saturday’s East Division ultimate loss in opposition to Toronto, however was intercepted twice and was off-target with a number of throws.
Alexander got here off the bench within the second half in opposition to Saskatchewan on July 25, rallied the Als to a comeback victory and gained his subsequent three begins, though two had been in opposition to last-place Hamilton. He began once more Oct. 14 in opposition to Ottawa whereas Fajardo returned dwelling for the beginning of his second youngster. Whereas the Als gained, Alexander handed for a modest 208 yards and was intercepted as soon as. He additionally changed Fajardo within the ultimate two video games, in opposition to B.C. and Winnipeg.
Alexander handed for 1,347 yards and 6 touchdowns whereas finishing 69.5 per cent of his throws. He threw two interceptions.
If it comes down to at least one or the opposite, Als administration should determine whether or not to hitch their wagon to Fajardo, the veteran, or Alexander, figuring out he’s youthful. And whereas the group has invested three seasons into Alexander, growing him, can it threat making him the starter based mostly on restricted enjoying time?
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There’s no denying Alexander’s potential and the thrill issue he brings to the offence. However at 6-feet and 200 kilos, he’s additionally two inches shorter and 12 kilos lighter than Fajardo. That might turn out to be vital over the course of an 18-game season. It additionally shouldn’t be forgotten Alexander was third on the depth chart. Maas performed Caleb Evans earlier than him, following Fajardo’s harm.
A CFL supply with information of the state of affairs instructed The Gazette he believes the Als can afford to retain each quarterbacks as a result of a lot of the remaining roster isn’t stuffed with high-priced gamers. Fajardo signed a contract extension following the Gray Cup taking him by subsequent season. He’s possible due an low season bonus sooner or later within the new 12 months, which can point out the group’s intention.
An alternative choice, after all, would possibly power Maciocia to inquire whether or not Fajardo can be keen to restructure his contract and take a decreased wage for the nice of the staff. Maciocia mentioned no such talks have occurred, however Maas didn’t deny that choice exists.
“When you instructed me, with a gun to my head, I don’t know which one I’d decide to be fairly sincere as a result of they’re each nice,” Maas mentioned. “I can see the positives in each of them. I’ve been with Cody for 5 years. I do know what Cody’s able to. It’s going to be a matter of getting collectively and deciding the way forward for the group. Whoever it’s, the remainder of the roster will get impacted by it.
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“You even have to have a look at longevity,” he added. “If Cody’s going to play a 12 months extra or a few years extra, and Davis probably has 10 extra years down the street …”
Former Als quarterback Anthony Calvillo performed till 2013, when he was pressured to retire following a concussion at age 41. It took the group years to seek out the inheritor obvious; the staff lacking the playoffs from 2015-18. Montreal’s fortunes turned in 2019, with Vernon Adams Jr. at quarterback, and the staff acquired veteran Trevor Harris in an October 2021 commerce from Edmonton.
“Discovering the subsequent (quarterback) one isn’t fairly that simple,” mentioned Maas, himself a former CFL pivot. “We’re in an excellent spot. I don’t assume you possibly can go mistaken both manner. You must decide one and imagine in him. I do know we imagine in each of them. It’s a matter of creating a tricky choice.
“If Cody can be good about taking a minimize so Davis made slightly bit extra, and you’re employed that for an additional 12 months, that’s doable. That takes numerous guts for each these guys. We have now to have a look at each doable state of affairs.”
hzurkowsky@postmedia.com
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