Elks sign ex-Alouettes receiver Mack ahead of CFL free agency

Winnipeg Blue Bombers' Dexter Lawson (27) defends against Montreal Alouettes' Austin MacK (81) during first half Eastern semi-final action, in Montreal on Saturday, Nov. 1, 2025.

Cody Fajardo will have a familiar target lining up with him next season.

The Edmonton Elks signed free-agent receiver Austin Mack on Thursday, two days after the Montreal Alouettes released him.

The move reunites Mack with Fajardo, the Elks’ starting quarterback who was his signal-caller in 2023, when Mack was named a Canadian Football League all-star and the Alouettes won the Grey Cup.

Mack, who was due a roster bonus on Sunday from Montreal before they cut the 28-year-old American loose, had his best statistical CFL season that campaign, catching 78 passes for 1,154 yards and four touchdowns in 17 games. The three-year CFL veteran has been limited by injuries the last two seasons, playing just three games in 2024 and getting into 12 games last season, when he caught 48 passes for 674 yards and two TDs.

Mack, who hails from Fort Wayne, Ind., played U.S. college football at Ohio State and had NFL stints with the New York Giants, Tennessee Titans and San Francisco 49ers from 2020-22 before joining the Alouettes.

The Elks have four receivers who are set to become free agents when the league’s free-agency period begins Feb. 10, including Americans Arkell Smith and Steven Dunbar Jr., and National-designated Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and Tyson Middlemost.