Canadian offensive lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage signs with Seattle Seahawks

Photo courtesy: James Hajjar/University of Montreal

Canadian offensive lineman Pier-Olivier Lestage has signed an NFL undrafted free agent contract with the Seattle Seahwaks, per sources.

Lestage goes to the West coast with a chance to block for franchise quarterback Russell Wilson.

Lestage was named an All-Canadian following the 2019 U Sports season. He was an aggressive leader of the University of Montreal offensive line, which helped the Carabins win the Dunsmore Cup, the Quebec Conference title, and earn a spot in the Vanier Cup. Montreal used a physical ground game to pave the way to the Canadian university national championship.

He was invited to virtually take part in the prestigious East-West Shrine Bowl. In conjunction with the National Football League, players participated in virtual training sessions in preparation for the NFL Draft. The student-athletes attended virtual training sessions and learned drills from current NFL coaches.

That event has served as an NFL launching point for Canadian players such as tight end Antony Auclair (Tampa Bay Buccaneers), defensive lineman David Onyemata (New Orleans Saints), offensive linemen Laurent Duvernay-Tardif (Kansas City Chiefs) and Carter O’Donnell (Indianapolis Colts) in recent years.

Thousands of East-West Shrine Bowl players have gone to the NFL in the past century, including 78 who went on to be enshrined in the Pro Football Hall of Fame. For more than three decades, at least two Canadian university players have been invited to the annual event in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Lestage played in the Tropical Bowl in Orlando, Fla in front of NFL scouts. That’s where he displayed his ability to snap the football with both hands while playing centre. The 23-year-old checks in at just over six-foot-three, 305 pounds.

The Seahawks made only three selections in the 2021 NFL Draft, which works to Lestage’s advantage. Seattle’s offensive line struggled in 2020, allowing 48 sacks.

Justin Dunk
Justin Dunk is a football insider, sports reporter and anchor.