The Montreal Alouettes have signed Canadian running back Jeshrun Antwi, American defensive lineman Avery Ellis, and American defensive back Najee Murray to one-year contract extensions. All three players were set to become free agents next month.
“We are very pleased that these three veterans are back with us,” said general manager Danny Maciocia in a statement. “Jeshrun brings a lot to our Canadian ratio. He knows our playbook and his attitude is excellent. Ellis has played the role of big brother for many players in our locker room since 2022. The guys respect him. Murray was at the top of his game before he got hurt last year, we can’t wait to see him again.”
Antwi ran the ball for 229 yards and one touchdown and made 11 receptions for 75 yards over 18 regular season games this past season. He also carried the ball three times for 16 yards and a touchdown during the postseason, helping the Alouettes win the 110th Grey Cup over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
The six-foot, 220-pound ball-carrier was a sixth-round pick in the 2019 CFL Draft out of the University of Calgary. He has rushed 181 times for 1,005 yards and one touchdown over 50 career CFL games and caught 47 passes for 321 yards.
Ellis made nine defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, and one sack over 13 games this past season after joining the Alouettes as a free agent in 2022. The 29-year-old has recorded 172 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, 26 sacks, and three forced fumbles over 87 career CFL games with the Ottawa Redblacks and Alouettes.
Murray played only six games in 2023 due to injury, recording 33 defensive tackles, one interception, and one fumble recovery. The five-foot-eight, 194-pound cover man has made 119 defensive tackles, six special teams tackles, seven interceptions, one sack, and two forced fumbles over 39 career games with Montreal.
CFL free agency is set to get underway on Tuesday, Feb. 13 at noon EST.
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