With Alouettes struggling, owner says no jobs are safe

Montreal Alouettes owner Andrew Wetenhall says there could be consequences for the team’s dismal performance this season.

“It’s safe to say nobody’s job is safe in this organization because we’re in an evaluation of how we can do better. If we can upgrade our personnel or do better through change, we may well have to,” Wetenhall told the Montreal Gazette.

“To miss the playoffs again would hurt. We enjoy the benefit of a weaker East Division. That gives us an opportunity to still charge into the playoffs. There’s plenty of games left. There’s no doubt we want to make the playoffs. It’s a core objective.”

Montreal is 3-8 through 11 games in 2017, the second-worst record in the CFL. The offence, which invested heavily in new quarterback Darian Durant and receiver Ernest Jackson, has struggled and is currently eighth in the league in scoring.

This is the first season for general manager Kavis Reed, who was promoted from special teams coordinator in December. Head coach Jacques Chapedelaine, who took over from Jim Popp midway through 2016, had his interim tag removed the same day.

The Alouettes also hired Patrick Boivin as their president and chief executive officer replacing Mark Weightman, who spent four years in that post and 21 years with the organization overall.

Montreal is currently third in the East Division with six points, just two points out of a playoff spot but have the feeling of a team in a downward spiral. And it’s clear the putrid East Division will not be an excuse for Wetenhall when assessing his club.