The Montreal Alouettes signed WR Austin Mack on Monday bringing him back to the nest after he pursued an NFL opportunity with the Atlanta Falcons. Mack won the Grey Cup with Montreal in 2023 which was his first year in the CFL.
Mack had the 5th most receiving yards in 2023 playing for Montreal as he caught 78 passes for 1,154 yards and 4 touchdowns over the regular season. He was highly productive in the YAC department generating 423 YAC which was 4th in the league. He was named a CFL All-Star following the season.
Over the 2023 CFL postseason, Mack had the 2nd most receiving yards as he caught 13 passes for 185 yards and 2 touchdowns. In the Grey Cup, he had 6 grabs for 103 yards and a touchdown. He had one of the most impressive plays in the Grey Cup as he fought through contact to bring in a 33-yard catch with 1 hand.
Mack signed with the Atlanta Falcons in January following his successful campaign in the CFL. He appeared in 1 preseason game but did not record a catch before the Falcons waived him recently on August 12. His CFL rights were exclusively held by Montreal through the rest of this season.
Mack played for Ohio State prior to going pro where he recorded 79 receptions for 1,050 yards and 6 touchdowns. He signed with the New York Giants as an undrafted free agent in 2020 and appeared with the Giants in 11 games which saw him record 7 catches for 91 yards. He spent time on practice squads in 2021 and 2022 with the Titans and 49ers.
With Tyson Philpot now on the 6-game injured list, the timing of Mack’s return is excellent for Alouettes’ fans. His proven track record should provide a significant boost to the receiving room as the Alouettes look to replicate last year’s success.
It was a massive day for Montreal sports fans in the CFL and the NHL. Additionally, the Canadiens acquired a left winger with elite goal-scoring abilities in Patrick Laine who was a 2nd overall pick with the Winnipeg in 2016.
Jonathan Clink joined CFL News Hub in early April of 2023. His primary responsibilities are covering the BC Lions and Montreal Alouettes.
He self awarded himself the CFL Rookie Journalist of the Year in 2023 following the 2023 CFL season. He also proclaims himself to be a "really cool guy". He was born in Winnipeg, Manitoba and lived a large portion of his childhood in Northwest Ontario. He currently lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan and misses being being able to have 4 months of skating every winter.
Clink has written over 240 articles for CFL News Hub. He was the publication's boots on the ground at the 2023 Grey Cup in Hamilton.
Clink has always had an obsession for sport and has a background in other sports as well having played hockey all his life and soccer, basketball, and lacrosse in high school. As a young child he used to log his hockey statistics after every game which is either an indication that he was destined for the role or perhaps and indication that he is rather strange.
