Fresh start official: former Riders QB Cody Fajardo signs two-year contract with Alouettes

Photo courtesy: David Friedrich/B.C. Lions

The Montreal Alouettes have signed quarterback Cody Fajardo to a two-year contract.

The six-foot-two, 223-pound passer spent the past three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders, throwing for 10,632 yards with 48 touchdowns and 32 interceptions as a member of the team. He also rushed 266 times for 1,436 yards and 22 scores.

The 30-year-old signed his first CFL contract with the Toronto Argonauts in 2015 following a brief stint with the Oakland Raiders. He spent three seasons with the team in a depth role before leaving as a free agent to serve as a backup with the B.C. Lions in 2018.

Fajardo was benched by the Riders late last season while the team was still mathematically eligible to earn a postseason berth. He never ruled out a return to Saskatchewan, though the Riders recently agreed to terms on a contract with veteran quarterback Trevor Harris.

Jason Maas is now the head coach in Montreal after being fired as Saskatchewan’s offensive coordinator following the 2022 season. He and Fajardo will be reunited in La Belle Province where the team is looking to replace a number of key free agents that are expected to sign with other clubs amid Montreal’s uncertain ownership situation.