The Montreal Alouettes have a sense of surprise. The team announced Thursday night, in the middle of a game against the Edmonton Elks, that it had acquired the rights of Quebecer Laurent Duvernay-Tardif.
Posted at 8:27 p.m.
Updated at 9:19 p.m.
The offensive lineman’s rights have previously belonged to the Calgary Stampeders. In return, the Sparrows give up two conditional choices.
This means that if Duvernay-Tardif decided to play in the Canadian circuit eventually, rather than returning to the NFL, it would be with the Alouettes that he would line up.
The general manager of the Montreal formation, Danny Maciocia, commented on the news in a press release. An understandable way to do it, considering that he was on the field for his first game as head coach of the Alouettes at the time of the announcement!
“Laurent wants to be a football icon in Montreal and Quebec,” he said. We can only come out winners from this transaction, because even if he never dons the Alouettes’ uniform, he will be able to encourage us and openly show himself as one of our supporters without feeling any remorse. »
“We wish Laurent the best of success for the continuity of his football career and are satisfied that if it continues in Canada, it will be in a city and a stadium that he knows very well, he added. And if he ever aligns himself with the Alouettes, he will finally be able to display the letters M.D. on his jersey, as he wanted to do. »
Duvernay-Tardif played 54 games in five seasons in the NFL. He notably won Super Bowl LIV with the Kansas City Chiefs.
Traded to the New York Jets in the fall of 2021, the 31-year-old guard, who juggles his career as a doctor and professional athlete, opted out of playing on the best circuit in the world this summer and instead started his medical residency. He is therefore currently a free agent and will be able to join an NFL team next September.
A real possibility?
The news instantly – and obviously – reacted on social networks, Laurent Duvernay-Tardif being one of the most popular sports personalities across Quebec.
Only, the possibilities of seeing him play in the CFL are rather slim. In June, the main interested party had indicated that he would prioritize his medicine this summer, then that he would consider “what will be on the table in terms of football this fall”. He then added very clearly that if he decided to play football again, it would be for a team that aspires to the Super Bowl.
“It is no longer a question of money. The most important thing will be to be part of a team that has a chance of winning the Super Bowl. »
The athlete had been questioned more specifically to find out if it would be a possibility for him to join for the Quebec team, in the event that things did not work out in the NFL.
“These are great marketing ideas! he had replied. But no, I don’t think that’s a possibility. I feel like if I put my medicine on the back burner again, it’s going to be to win another Super Bowl. »
“I say it in all humility and I don’t want to appear to be big-headed, but I’m betting on myself,” he added. I allow myself to look at what is best for me from a more holistic and macro point of view instead of just looking at it from a football point of view. I am happy in my current position. »
Will he change his mind?