CFL Draft

Redblacks’ offensive linemen Alex Mateas, Nolan MacMillan leaning towards retirement

by
John Hodge
July 3, 2021

Photo courtesy: Scott Grant/CFLPhotoArchive.com

Per multiple sources, veteran offensive linemen Alex Mateas and Nolan MacMillan are currently leaning towards retirement from the Ottawa Redblacks.

Mateas was the No. 1 pick in the 2015 CFL Draft out of the University of Connecticut. The Ottawa native started all eighteen regular season games for the Redblacks at centre in 2019. Mateas is a two-time East Division all-star and won a Grey Cup with the team in 2016 while being mentored by Jon Gott.

MacMillan started fourteen games at right guard for Ottawa in 2019, though he’s also played tackle in the past. The 30-year-old has considered retirement before and, per source, will only consider reporting for the 2021 season if he receives a new contract.

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The Redblacks quietly started making inquiries about free agent Canadian offensive linemen last month. One of the players to whom they reached out was Ryan Bomben, but the 34-year-old has decided not to play in 2021.

Mateas and MacMillan are arguably Ottawa’s two best Canadian offensive linemen. If both retire, they will leave a massive hole along the line of scrimmage for the Redblacks.

John Hodge

John Hodge is a longtime Canadian football reporter, insider, and podcaster for 3DownNation. Based in Winnipeg, Hodge is also a freelance television and radio broadcaster and curling reporter for Rock Channel.