Alouettes release Durant after forgettable season
History will not look kindly on the Darian Durant era with the Alouettes — one that seemingly came to an end Monday, after only one season, with the release of the veteran quarterback.
With Durant behind centre for most of the season, Montreal went 3-15, missing the Canadian Football League playoffs a third successive season. Durant passed for 3,233 yards and 15 touchdowns, but also was intercepted 16 times.
“I have to emphasize, so much has been put on Darian’s shoulders. There’s so many other factors that went into the failures of this team,” general manager Kavis Reed told the Montreal Gazette Monday night.
The Als traded a pair of draft choices last January to acquire Durant from Saskatchewan — ostensibly because pressure was put on Reed to secure a home playoff game, combined with the fact Jim Popp, his predecessor, left him with no succession plan at the position.
Durant then went out and mainly crashed and burned, playing behind an ineffective offensive system. He was due a Tuesday offseason payment of $150,000 — part of the three-year, $1.25-million contract he signed. The Als weren’t prepared to make that payment to a quarterback not expected to start next season. When the two sides failed to complete a restructured deal by Tuesday’s deadline, the only option was to release Durant.
“At this time last year, this was the right thing for the franchise. I don’t have any regrets. It’s not a mistake,” Reed said. “It’s what we felt the franchise needed to do last year at this particular time. It didn’t work out from a holistic perspective.”
Reed said the organization’s not closing the book on Durant returning, but that would likely only occur should he still remain unsigned by May, when teams prepare for the start of training camp. Veteran backup CFL quarterbacks generally earn between $190,000 and $225,000, plus incentives for play time.
In a nine-team league, Durant might have limited options, especially after Edmonton on Monday signed Kevin Glenn, recently released by Saskatchewan. But Durant, who recently became a first-time father, wants to play this season. His most-likely destination appears to be Winnipeg, where he would be reunited with offensive co-ordinator Paul LaPolice. Also, the future of Travis Lulay in British Columbia and Toronto’s Ricky Ray, both potential free agents, remains uncertain.
The Als on Saturday announced the signing of quarterback Josh Freeman, a former first-round draft choice of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. But he hasn’t played since 2016. Between Freeman, Matt Shiltz and Antonio Pipkin, Montreal has a trio of quarterbacks who have one career CFL start combined.
Drew Willy, who spent most of last season with the Als, is a potential free agent. Reed has stressed the importance of having a veteran quarterback on Montreal’s roster, especially since new head coach Mike Sherman has no CFL experience. But, Reed emphasized, offensive co-ordinator Khari Jones is a former CFL quarterback. As well, Reed intimated there will be another former QB on Sherman’s staff.
“There’s other moves that can be made,” Reed insisted. “There are things that could happen that would allow us to have this veteran guy. It’s not necessarily a veteran guy that’s been in the CFL. It could be a veteran with a lot of NFL starts. We’re not worried by the fact we won’t have that veteran presence.
“We understand how critical the quarterback position is. And we’ll try to establish a franchise quarterback. But we have to do it the right way.”
Earlier Monday, the Als announced the trade of running-back Brandon Rutley to B.C. for future considerations. The move came a week after Tyrell Sutton, the team’s starting tailback, signed a new contract, avoiding the potential of becoming a free agent next month.
Montreal also announced the re-signing of a pair of Canadian defensive backs, Chris Ackie and Michael Carter.
Rutley spent four seasons with the Als, but was never able to dislodge Sutton when he was healthy. Nonetheless, Rutley went about his business in a professional manner, never complaining about his lack of use. In five games last season, he gained 291 yards on 49 carries.
He departs Montreal with 1,243 career rushing yards and four touchdowns in 35 regular-season games.
“This is a critical part of the offseason as we work towards creating a high level of competition and depth at every position,” Lions GM Ed Hervey said in a statement. “Acquiring Brandon today is a prime example of that focus.”