The Montreal Alouettes have signed receiver Chris Matthews.
Matthews was released by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Wednesday. He made 12 catches for 180 yards and one touchdown in six games with the Bombers.
Matthews signed a three-year contract with Winnipeg in May. He originally broke into the CFL as a Bomber in 2012 and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Rookie that season.
The Calgary Stampeders released Matthews last December in order to pursue NFL opportunities. Matthews had signed with Calgary in October for a Grey Cup run, helping them capture a championship over Ottawa. He made 12 receptions for 252 yards and one touchdown in four regular season games and added seven grabs for 98 yards in two playoff contests. The veteran brought playmaking ability to a Stamps receiving corps that had been hit with a number of injuries.
The 29-year-old spent parts of 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons in Baltimore with the Ravens following a stint with the Seattle Seahawks. Matthews played in six games in 2017 for the Ravens making three grabs for 25 yards.
In all, Matthews suited up in 22 NFL games and recorded 16 receptions for 176 yards and one touchdown. Most notably, Matthews caught four passes for 109 yards and one touchdown in Super Bowl XLIX, a 28-24 Seattle loss to the New England Patriots.
Matthews earned those NFL shots after a stellar CFL rookie season in 2012, snagging 81 balls for 1,192 yards and seven touchdowns for the Bombers. After going unselected out of the University of Kentucky in 2011, the Cleveland Browns signed Matthews as an undrafted free agent but was released among the final training camp cuts.
Montreal has put a physical presence on the field for the Alouettes offence.
