When the Montreal Alouettes drafted defensive back Jonathan Sutherland with the fifth overall pick in 2023, they knew very well that the chances of him going to the NFL were very high. After three seasons south of the border, Sutherland returned home after signing a three-year contract with the Birds.
“Hello everyone, I am very happy to be in Montreal,” Sutherland said in French by videoconference with the Montreal media on Friday. It’s good to come back to my country and I’m looking forward to playing football again. »
Because the 5-foot-11, 202-pound football player hasn’t played a competitive game since his days as captain of the Penn State Nittany Lions’ defensive unit. After signing a contract with the Seattle Seahawks in 2023, he spent most of his rookie season on the practice squad.
Now 27, he attended the New York Giants’ 2024 training camp and was hired by the Las Vegas Raiders last spring. He did not play a single game in the NFL.
“I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve been playing football since I was eight years old. I’m blessed to still be able to do it and I’m very excited to be back on the field. »
It was a bit of a lack of playing time in the NFL that encouraged him to join the Alouettes.
“Unfortunately, in my first seasons [dans la NFL]I suffered a few injuries and had to go through the rehabilitation process several times. Since I was drafted, Danny [Maciocia, le directeur général des Alouettes] and I have been in constant communication. He always told me that if things didn’t seem to be working out for me in the NFL anymore, I would always have a place to end up. […] It’s the best decision for me at this point in my career. »
During his college career at Penn State, Sutherland had 136 total tackles, eight tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, one interception, forced one fumble and recovered one in 56 games.
Used primarily as a defensive back, Sutherland says he can play anywhere on the tertiary line in a 12-player defense.
“I come here with an open mind,” he noted. It’s a different sport and I’ll talk to the coaches to see what makes the most sense for their defensive schemes. But I know I can play wherever they need me. »
And this also means that it is not closed to use within special teams.
This new signing seems to push Marc-Antoine Dequoy even further away from a return to Montreal. The Quebec marauder is still without a contract and could become a free agent starting in mid-February.
The latest news is that the Alouettes had submitted an offer to him before the holiday break and according to coach Jason Maas, the ball is in Dequoy’s court. Nothing has changed since.
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