The Montreal Alouettes are standing firm, Davis Alexander will be their quarterback when they take the field Sunday in the 112th Grey Cup against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
The fiery first-year starter appeared to aggravate a lingering hamstring injury during the East Final, the same issue that kept him out for 11 regular season games. Still, there’s no hesitation from anyone in the Alouettes locker room. Their leader, they say, will be ready to go.
Head coach Jason Maas is staying cautious but confident.
“I got to see him this morning, and I’ll see him again for a team meeting. He’ll be watching film, doing all the things he normally does.”
Maas added that even if Alexander isn’t at full strength, his impact goes beyond what’s seen on the field.
“He provides us with an absolute weapon with his legs and escapability. When he decides to go, he goes. That’s all based on his decision-making and his ability. The rest of our offence doesn’t change, it’s still the same system he operates, and he does it at a high level.”
At 27 years old, Alexander has been nothing short of perfect since taking over as the starter — a remarkable 13-0 when under centre. In 2025, he completed 158-of-218 passes for 2,024 yards with 10 touchdowns and three interceptions. He also added 110 rushing yards and a score on the ground.
His teammate, defensive lineman Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund, says the stats don’t tell the whole story.
“It’s not only when he starts, but just him being around, being in the facility, being present. Even when he wasn’t playing earlier this year, he was still the heartbeat of this team. He’s the definition of Montreal football and the province of Quebec; the dedication, the fellowship, the energy. It’s a blessing to have him in this organization.”
Berglund says that even if Alexander isn’t 100 percent physically or mentally, he’s on another level.
“Davis may not be at 100 percent, but I’m telling you mentally, whatever he’s at, he’s going to go out there and perform at 1,000 percent. We have ultimate belief in him because of how he prepares and how he approaches every single day.”
Berglund, who is in his second season with the Alouettes after starting his CFL career in Calgary, believes that Alexander’s competitiveness gives him an edge.
“When I met him last year, I realized it right away. You play him in cornhole, ping pong, or anything else, and he treats it like the Grey Cup. That’s who he is. That’s the level of fire he brings to the field.”
Linebacker Darnell Sankey says that mindset has made Alexander the ultimate leader.
“He does things the right way, his way, and he doesn’t care what people think. That’s what makes him, him. He’s a great man, a great football player, and the leader of this football team.”
Special teams captain Alexandre Gagné says Davis’ toughness and attitude have helped shape the team’s identity.
“He has a different mindset than a usual quarterback. The way he came back from the off-season, built up the way he did, and the way he puts his body on the line every game, that’s just who we are as a team.”
Receiver James Letcher Jr. says Alexander’s fire fuels the whole roster.
“We ride behind him in how he acts and the energy he gives off. You see him talking stuff and getting in defenders’ faces, we love that. If he’s talking trash, we’re right behind him talking trash, too. That’s our quarterback.”
Even those who line up against Alexander in practice can feel the spark he brings, according to Adeyemi-Berglund.
“Whatever motivates him, that’s fine with me — I like his approach. He plays the right way.”
As the Alouettes prepare for their biggest game of the year, there’s no mistaking the belief inside the locker room. Davis Alexander is their guy — win, lose, or hurt.
“We believe in him completely,” Adeyemi-Berglund said. “He’s the embodiment of who we are as a football team. Tough, passionate, and all in. Whatever he’s fighting through, he’ll find a way.”
And if history is any indication, that belief might be all Montreal needs. After all, when Davis Alexander starts, the Alouettes haven’t lost.
