As the 2026 season approaches, CFL.ca has a new series making the case for every team as a contender to win the 113th Grey Cup, highlighting three reasons why each club has a path to the championship. The series is not intended to make predictions, but to showcase the strengths and potential routes for each team entering the new campaign.<\/p>\n
MONTREAL \u2014 The Montreal Alouettes enter 2026 with heightened expectations and much of the same core.<\/p>\n
After a trip to the 112th Grey Cup, Montreal is betting on continuity, internal growth, and better injury luck to turn a near miss into another run at the title.<\/p>\n
Ahead of their season opener against the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on June 4, CFL.ca brings you three reasons why the Montreal Alouettes could win the 113th Grey Cup.<\/p>\n
RELATED WELCOME BACK!<\/p>\n Davis Alexander delivers a dart to Tyler Snead on Montreal\u2019s opening drive! #CFLGameDay<\/a> \u2014 CFL (@CFL) September 26, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 1. DAVIS ALEXANDER\u2019S NEXT STEP<\/p>\n 2025 was a frustrating season for Montreal quarterback Davis Alexander<\/a>, though it had little to do with his play.<\/p>\n Alexander completed 73 per cent of his passes for 2,024 yards, 10 touchdowns and just three interceptions, posting the second-highest quarterback rating among qualified CFL passers. He was undefeated in the regular season but limited to seven starts due to a lingering hamstring injury.<\/p>\n \u201cI think healthy Davis Alexander<\/a> is a lot of the argument,\u201d said receiver Tyson Philpot<\/a> when asked why Montreal can win the Grey Cup. \u201cWe go as far as he goes.\u201d<\/p>\n With Alexander under centre, the Alouettes averaged 34 points per game. In the 11 games without him, that number dropped to 18.8.<\/p>\n The injury became a factor in the Grey Cup, where Corey Mace\u2019s defence forced three interceptions. It remains the only loss of Alexander\u2019s CFL career as a starter.<\/p>\n With the entire offensive line returning \u2013 a unit that allowed the fewest sacks in the league last season \u2013 the focus is simple: keep Alexander on the field, and Montreal will be in position to finish what it started.<\/p>\n 2. DEFENSIVE DOMINANCE<\/p>\n While quarterback inconsistency last season raised questions on offence, Montreal\u2019s defence remained a constant.<\/p>\n The Alouettes\u2019 front was equal parts stingy and disruptive \u2013 allowing the fewest yards per game (338.4) while tallying 45 sacks, forcing a league-high 17 fumbles and finishing with 39 takeaways.<\/p>\n That balance showed up in the post-season. Montreal held Brady Oliveira<\/a> to 38 rushing yards in the Eastern Semi-Final and intercepted Zach Collaros<\/a> late to seal the win. A week later, they limited Hamilton to 16 points in the Eastern Final.<\/p>\n The biggest off-season question came at linebacker, where the departure of Darnell Sankey left a hole in the middle. Montreal answered by bringing in Micah Awe<\/a>, who led the CFL with 117 tackles last season.<\/p>\n Around him, Tyrice Beverette anchors the unit after another All-CFL campaign, while Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund<\/a> and Wesley Sutton<\/a> add impact at every level.<\/p>\n That collection of talent hasn\u2019t gone unnoticed around the league.<\/p>\n \u201cThey\u2019ve got a lot of really good players defensively, and they\u2019re very well coached,\u201d said BC quarterback Nathan Rourke<\/a> during the CFL\u2019s off-season content capture in April.<\/p>\n With much of last year\u2019s core returning, the Als are built to carry that same identity into 2026.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s one reason Isaac Adeyemi-Berglund is the MOC nominee from the East!<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcc5: Eastern Semi-Final LIVE NOW \u2014 CFL (@CFL) November 1, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n 3. OFFENSIVE CONTINUITY AND GROWTH<\/p>\n Montreal\u2019s offence is largely unchanged from last season, with continuity across its core and only minor tweaks at receiver.<\/p>\n Philpot and Alexander Hollins<\/a> return with freshly inked extensions and better health, having missed a combined 19 games last season, while All-CFL receiver Tyler Snead<\/a> looks to build on a breakout year that saw him surpass 1,100 receiving yards.<\/p>\n With the youth Montreal features on offence, the next breakout could come from anywhere.<\/p>\n
\u00bb 3 reasons why Saskatchewan could win the 113th Grey Cup<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a03 reasons why Hamilton could win the 113th Grey Cup<\/a>
\u00bb\u00a03 reasons why Winnipeg could win the 113th Grey Cup<\/a>
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