Montreal Alouettes DL Almondo Sewell Granted Release

This offseason has seen the Montreal Alouettes keep so much of their talent from last season’s Grey Cup-winning team. One of their top defensive linemen will not be returning to the team for 2024.

The Alouettes have granted the release of Almondo Sewell after three seasons, 3DownNation’s Justin Dunk reported. Sewell was due to make $145,000 in hard money with one year remaining on his contract.

The 37-year-old defensive lineman has been on the Alouettes since 2021 playing in 46 games, racking up 52 tackles and nine sacks. Last season was his lowest year in production for Montreal, registering 14 tackles and one sack in 16 games.

Before Montreal, he played for the Edmonton Eskimos from 2011-20. He was a star on their defensive line, being named a CFL All-Star six times and seven more times as a CFL West All-Star. Sewell was also part of two Grey Cup champion teams in 2015 with Edmonton and 2023 with Montreal. He has played in 185 career games, producing 334 defensive tackles and 69 sacks.

Sewell will be able to sign with any CFL team this offseason as he could be on his last ride in the CFL. He has proven to be a good rotational defensive tackle for teams looking for depth.

Montreal has the chance to reach out to pending free agents as they look for a replacement for Sewell. Feb. 13 is the official first day of CFL free agency.