MONTRÉAL — Austin Mack is getting a head start on CFL free agency.
The Montreal Alouettes released the veteran receiver Monday. The move allows the American receiver to explore his options ahead of the start of CFL free agency Feb. 10.
“We released Austin to accommodate him and allow him to explore his options,” said Alouettes GM Danny Maciocia. “We appreciate the seasons he gave us in Montreal, and our lines of communication with him remain open.”
Mack was due a $45,000 bonus Feb. 1 as part of a four-year deal he signed with Montreal in 2024.
Mack, 28, spent three seasons with Montreal, registering 136 catches for 1,973 yards and six TDs in 32 regular-season games. He helped the Alouettes win the ’24 Grey Cup but didn’t play in the club’s championship loss in 2025 due to a hamstring injury.
The six-foot-one, 208-pound Mack had 48 catches for 674 yards and two touchdowns in 12 regular-season contests last season.
Mack’s best season with Montreal was 2023, when he had 78 catches for 1,154 yards and four TDs and earned All-CFL honours. He appeared in just three regular-season contests in 2024 after signing with the NFL’s Atlanta Falcons following the ’23 campaign.
Blue Bombers agree to extension with veteran Bryant
WINNIPEG — The Winnipeg Blue Bombers agreed to terms Monday with American offensive lineman Stanley Bryant on a one-year deal Monday.
Bryant was slated to become a free agent next month.
The six-foot-four, 312-pound left tackle started 14 regular-season games in 2025 with Winnipeg.
Bryant, 39. enters his 11th season with Winnipeg after spending his first five CFL campaigns with the Calgary Stampeders. Bryant has appeared in 234 career regular-season contests, earning eight league all-star selections and four times being named its top offensive lineman.
Bryant has made seven Grey Cup appearances, winning three.
Ottawa Redblacks re-sign veteran receiver Justin Hardy
OTTAWA — The Ottawa Redblacks re-signed veteran American receiver Justin Hardy on Monday.
Contract details weren’t divulged. Hardy was slated to become a free agent next month.
Hardy, 34, had 78 catches for 1,019 yards and eight TDs last season in being named an East Division All-CFL selection.
Hardy enters his fifth season with Ottawa, having registered 304 catches for 3,787 yards and 16 TDs in 59 regular-season contests. He has cracked the 1,000-yard receiving plateau in each of the last three years.
Saskatchewan Roughriders sign offensive lineman Brammer to extension
REGINA — The Saskatchewan Roughriders signed American offensive lineman Jacob Brammer to a one-year extension Monday.
Brammer was scheduled to become a free agent in February.
The six-foot-four, 301-pound Brammer appeared in 17 regular-season games in 2025 for the Grey Cup-champion Riders. He earned his first All-CFL selection as Saskatchewan allowed just 26 sacks while boasting the league’s second-leading rusher in A.J. Ouellette (1,222 yards).
Brammer also started both the West Division final and Grey Cup for Saskatchewan.
Brammer made his CFL debut on July 19, 2024. He went on to play four more games that season before suiting up in the West semifinal and division final.
Calgary Stampeders re-sign American defensive back Moncrief
CALGARY — American defensive back Derrick Moncrief re-signed with the Calgary Stampeders on Monday.
Moncrief, a CFLPA all-star last season, was slated to become a free agent Feb. 10.
The six-foot-one, 213-pound Moncrief had 67 tackles (CFL-high 12 for loss) with two interceptions (one returned for a 70-yard TD), a forced fumble and a fumble recovery last season, his first with Calgary.
The eight-year CFL veteran was also voted by his teammates as the winner of the Presidents’ Ring award for excellence on and off the field.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Jan. 26, 2026.
The Canadian Press
