Photo: Pascal Ratthe/Montreal Alouettes

The Montreal Alouettes have released veteran receiver Austin Mack ahead of his offseason roster bonus, sources have confirmed to 3DownNation. The Canadian Press was first to report the move.

The 28-year-old was scheduled to receive $45,000 on February 1, the first part of a contract worth $211,000 in hard money for 2026. While general manager Danny Maciocia indicated earlier this month that the Alouettes could find a way to fit that deal under the salary cap if they so chose, he ultimately made the decision to part ways with Mack.

“We released Austin to accommodate him and allow him to explore his options,” said Montreal general manager Danny Maciocia in a statement. “We appreciate the seasons he gave us in Montreal, and our lines of communication with him remain open.”

Mack ranked third on the Alouettes last season with 48 receptions for 674 yards and two touchdowns. The Ohio State product was the ninth-highest-paid player at his position in 2025, but was limited to just 12 regular-season games due to injury and was hindered in the playoffs by a nagging hamstring issue.

“It’s been an emotional couple of months for the Macks. After playing in the Grey Cup, I was told the team is moving in a different direction. After fully committing, I never imagined 81 being part of another organization,” Mack wrote on social media.

“We welcomed our youngest daughter in Montreal and moved our family there this past year, fully embracing the culture and the city. We gave it everything we had — but sometimes, that still isn’t enough.

“To my teammates: I love y’all to death. I’d run through a brick wall for every one of you. To the fans: thank you. The love and support you showed not just me, but my family, was felt every single game. You are truly the best fans in the CFL.

“Nothing can take away what we accomplished in ’23. Legendary. Forever.

“I don’t know what’s next, but right now I’m aligned in prayer, and whatever move comes next will be the best move for my family-always first.”

The Fort Wayne, Ind. native recorded three receptions for 98 yards in the East Semi-Final and two grabs for 21 yards in the East Final, but did not register a catch in the 112th Grey Cup against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The six-foot-two, 215-pound target hauled in 78 receptions for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns with the Alouettes in 2023, earning All-CFL honours. He was a key part of the team’s championship run, making 13 catches for 185 yards and two touchdowns in the playoffs, including a 104-yard performance in the Grey Cup against Winnipeg.

Mack signed with the Atlanta Falcons following that season, but returned to Montreal mid-way through the 2024 campaign after being released. He caught 10 passes for 145 yards to end the year.

The Alouettes signed Mack to a four-year contract extension shortly after his return, which wasn’t set to expire until 2028. He bought a house in Montreal and made the decision to live there year-round with his family as part of that long-term commitment.

Now, the former all-star will be searching for a new home, becoming one of the top available free agents on the market.

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, the leading receiver was Tyler Snead with 1,129 yards, and the 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.