Why Austin Mack’s 2026 contract may still work for the Alouettes

The Montreal Alouettes face an upcoming decision on whether American receiver Austin Mack will remain with the club in 2026, with an important deadline approaching.

The 28-year-old is owed a $45,000 offseason roster bonus on February 1, according to league sources. His 2026 contract carries $211,000 in hard money, plus the opportunity to earn $9,000 in playtime incentives and $3,000 in all-star bonuses.

Alouettes general manager Danny Maciocia made it clear the situation is manageable from a salary-cap perspective if the team chooses that route.

“We don’t have to be at the cap until December 31 of this year,” Maciocia said. “We can make it fit, if we choose to make it fit.”

Maciocia added that Mack is not the only player with bonuses coming due in the coming weeks.

“There’s other bonuses that are coming up — Austin’s not the only one,” he said. “We’ve got multiple players getting bonuses around January 15, February 1, and February 15. Whether it’s Austin or any other player, we can make it fit if we choose to make it fit.”

Mack signed a four-year extension in 2024 that runs through the 2028 season and has shown long-term commitment to the organization by purchasing a home in Montreal, where he lives year-round with his family.

However, his future with the team remains uncertain.

Last season, Maciocia extended CFL all-star Tyler Snead through 2027, giving him a salary increase from the $150,000 he earned in 2025. Canadian receiver Tyson Philpot also received a significant raise, pushing his 2026 hard money total to $275,000.

On the field, Mack finished third on the Alouettes in receiving yards in 2025 with 674 yards, trailing Philpot (804) and Snead (1,129). Despite being the ninth highest-paid receiver in the CFL, a hamstring injury limited him to 12 regular-season games and impacted his postseason effectiveness.

The Fort Wayne, Indiana native recorded three catches for 98 yards in the East Semi-Final and two receptions for 21 yards in the East Final but was held without a catch in the 112th Grey Cup against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

Whether Mack remains part of Montreal’s long-term plans will become clearer as the offseason progresses.