To prevail in Montreal

At the onset of the 2024 season, few realized who Davis Alexander graced Montreal's roster. That was, until Cody Fajardo got sidelined in July.

As reported by Nicholas Richard, Alexander, summoned as backup, clinched all four of Fajardo's replacement games. His performance mirrored that of Tom Brady in 2001, catching the limelight. By season's end, he had staked his claim. Behind the scenes, Maciocia had already planned the shift.

A few days post the Alouettes' East final loss against the Toronto Argonauts, the squad convened for its end-of-season review. Fajardo, the 2023 Grey Cup MVP, was down to his final contract year. On the flip side, Alexander was set to become a free agent. However, due to the salary cap, Maciocia suggested it was impossible to keep both players.

"It was brutal because Cody and I had become quite close. We all knew it would be a tricky decision and circumstance. Neither of us knew what was coming. It was on the day of the review, and we hadn't a clue," Alexander said, his sentiments mirrorring Fajardo's.

The negotiations between Alexander and the Alouettes' management were far from ideal, leaving Alexander teeth-clenched.

Then, on November 25, Alexander received a text from his agent. "Are you set for a flight tomorrow to Montreal for a press conference?"

And just like that, it was set. Alexander was left in the dark about the contract's duration or value. "It was incredible. I cried through most of the night after."

Remembering his late father, the man who nurtured his football passion, taught him the sport, and repeatedly told him he was the best in the world, he chose to wear the number 10.

"My father played rugby professionally. He had the number 10. And when I learned he was in stage 4 of his cancer, I texted our equipment manager to swap from 3 to 10. So we switched. I'll wear it for eternity," he proclaimed, proudly displaying the number 10 pendant hanging on his gold chain.

Since 2014, 19 quarterbacks have had their turn starting for the Alouettes. The difference between Davis and his predecessors, he believes, lies in his profound affection for Montreal and his commitment within the organization. "I want to be right here. I want to stay here for my entire career. I adore it. I've come to adore my life here. Like a quarterback, you've got to be willing to forfeit your personal pursuits for the good of the team."

In March, Alexander temporarily paused his Arizona training to lend a hand to teammate Geoffrey Cantin-Arku in organizing the first GCA Academy in Lévis. For two days, he tossed passes to aspiring youngsters, something he could have been doing with more proficient receivers at home. But he was there, of his own volition, on a bleak Monday morning when the temperature was a nippy -22 on the southern Quebec shore.

"That's why everyone adores Davis," quipped Maciocia. "He's the sort of chap who's prepared to do anything for his teammates and the organization. Everyone loves him. Everyone wishes to play alongside him. He's highly respected by everyone within the organization."

The 26-year-old quarterback spends most of his spare time with his teammates. He considers Montreal his second family.

"I adore these guys. They are my brothers. I wish them to know that I'd die for them if I had to. I say this because I mean it."

Alexander thinks Montreal still stands a chance of making it big in 2025. Scrutinizing the depth of his team, he names almost every player from each unit. Alexander also praises Maciocia's recruitment work, stating that he "knows how to build a championship team."

Maciocia is also the one who unearthed Alexander. The one who pulled him out of a small school in Portland. And the one who championed Alexander's dream of turning pro in football.

"I reckon I owe him at least a Grey Cup."

Enrichment Data:

Contract Details: Alexander signed a three-year contract with the Montreal Alouettes in 2025, signifying a substantial commitment to him as the team's starter following Fajardo's departure. The financial details of the contract are unspecified, but the multi-year agreement points to the team's faith in Alexander's abilities.
Alexander's Future: Alexander is projected to retain the starting quarterback position, with the team depending on his experience from the bench in previous seasons. The upcoming season will be crucial for assessing how well he adapts to the starting role and if he can maintain or bump up the team's performance.
Alexander and the Alouettes: Alexander's transition to the starting role signals a new era for the Montreal Alouettes as they aim to build on their recent successes without Fajardo. The 2025 season will be critical in determining Alexander's long-term standing as the team's leader.

Davis Alexander, who had been an unnoticed addition to Montreal's roster at the beginning of the 2024 season, was propelled into the limelight after Cody Fajardo's injury in July.
When sports analysts compare Alexander's performance to that of Tom Brady in 2001, it underscores his remarkable achievements as a backup quarterback.
The Alouettes management had to make a difficult decision due to the salary cap, with star player Fajardo and standout backup Alexander both entering their final contract years.
After discussing the situation with Fajardo, Alexander had a grueling negotiation process with the Alouettes' management, leaving him anxious about his contract.
Despite the uncertainty regarding the contract's terms, Alexander signed a three-year deal with the Montreal Alouettes in 2025, demonstrating the team's faith in him as their new starting quarterback and setting the stage for a promising NBAF career.