The Montreal Alouettes inked four players to new contracts on Friday, including a two-year extension for Canadian offensive lineman Jesse Gibbon.
The six-foot-three, 290-pound blocker was acquired via trade from the Edmonton Elks last February, dressing for 17 regular-season contests and one playoff game in his first season as an Alouette but making no starts.
The 26-year-old was originally selected with the second overall pick in the 2019 CFL Draft by the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after an outstanding collegiate career at the University of Waterloo. He has appeared in 66 games over his CFL career with the Ticats and Elks, starting just eight games.
Also returning to Montreal on two-year deals are a pair of Americans, offensive lineman Josh Donovan and linebacker Chris Moore. Global kicker Jose Maltos was signed to a new one-year deal.
Donovan spent the season on Montreal’s practice roster after signing with the team in July. The six-foot-six, 330-pound offensive tackle played in 27 games and made 18 starts over four seasons at the University of Arizona, earning a rookie mini-camp tryout from the Buffalo Bills earlier this year.
Moore played in three games during his first CFL season, recording one defensive tackle and three special teams tackles. The six-foot, 210-pound defender played 21 games over two seasons at Georgia State, notching 103 total tackles, a sack, five knockdowns, an interception and two forced fumbles. He later spent time with the Baltimore Ravens in 2022.
Maltos played two games with the Alouettes in 2023 and connected on seven of nine field goal attempts, including a long of 50 yards. The 32-year-old also chipped through five of six extra-point attempts for a total of 26 total points on the year and averaged 61 yards per kickoff. The native of Mexico previously spent three seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks after being selected in the 2019 CFL-LFA Draft and was also in training camp with the New Orleans Saints in 2013.
The Alouettes will begin the defence of their Grey Cup title on Thursday, June 6 when they visit the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to open the 2024 season.
