Canadian defender Jonathan Sutherland isn’t sure exactly where he’s going to play with the Montreal Alouettes, though he plans on being able to fill several different spots.
“I pride myself on being versatile, being able to be flexible within the defence, playing wherever they need me in multiple positions,” Sutherland recently told the media.
“I’d like to go into it with an open eye and just get to sit down and talk with the coaches. Obviously, it’s a new game, so just to see schematically what makes sense. I know I’m capable of playing wherever they need me to.”
The five-foot-eleven, 202-pound defender recently signed a three-year contract with the Alouettes following a three-year stint in the NFL with the Seattle Seahawks, New York Giants, and Las Vegas Raiders. He never saw any regular-season action down south, though his tenure was marred by injury.
Montreal had one of the CFL’s top defences in 2025 and Sutherland could be a natural fit at safety or strong-side linebacker. Marc-Antoine Dequoy, the team’s incumbent starter at safety, recently retired, while Najee Murray, the team’s longtime strong-side linebacker, signed an extension for 2026 back in December.
Though he played mostly defensive back during his six-year collegiate career at Penn State University, Sutherland is roughly the same size as longtime Alouettes weak-side linebacker Tyrice Beverette. The six-year veteran is one of the best defensive players in the league — he earned All-CFL honours for a second-straight season in 2025 — but it’s not impossible to think Sutherland could replace him if he misses time due to injury.
Like most rookie CFL players, it stands to reason Sutherland will also be asked to play special teams as well, something he seems excited about.
“I like to pride myself on just playing fast, being decisive,” said Sutherland. “Playing physical with an edge and trying to get the ball back to the offence.”
“I’ve always taken pride in special teams, whether it was from high school, college, to playing in the league. I’m just trying to do whatever I can to help this team win, so whatever the coaches feel like, whatever position that’s going to best-suit the team, I’m all for it. Special teams? I love special teams.”
Sutherland was selected by the Alouettes in the first round of the 2023 CFL Draft and has kept close tabs on the team ever since. Des Holmes, his collegiate teammate with the Nittany Lions, spent the 2025 season as a reserve offensive lineman in Montreal and was able to provide Sutherland with updates from the inside.
Danny Maciocia, the team’s general manager, also remained in close contact with Sutherland throughout his tenure in the NFL.
“Danny and I have always been in constant communication ever since he drafted me, that if things don’t transpire and things don’t work out in the NFL, that I’d always have a home to come back to and play,” said Sutherland. “After much thought and prayer and consulting with my family, I just felt like it was the best decision for me to make right now at this point in my career.”
Though born in Ottawa, Ont., Sutherland has close ties to Montreal. His mother was born in the city, which is still home to plenty of his extended family. It seems like a perfect fit not only for Sutherland but also the Alouettes.
“I’ve been playing this game since I was eight years old and it’s blessed me a lot. I’m very grateful to be able to play still and I’m just excited to get out there,” said Sutherland. “It’s great to come back and play in my home country and just to play football again, so I’m really appreciative and I’m really excited to get the ball rolling.”
The Montreal Alouettes finished second in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 10-8 record and beat the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in the East Final before losing the 112th Grey Cup to the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Davis Alexander went 7-0 as a starter during the regular-season, though he missed 11 games due to a hamstring injury.
The Alouettes ranked eighth in net offence, first in net defence, and third with a turnover differential of plus-eight. The club’s leading rusher was Stevie Scott III with 418 yards, leading receiver was Tyler Snead with 1,129 yards, and leading tackler was Darnell Sankey with 103 tackles. Montreal finished sixth in attendance with average crowds of 21,132, which was a 0.8 percent decrease from the previous year.
