The Montreal Alouettes re-signed offensive lineman Justin Lawrence to a two-year contract extension through the 2025 season on Tuesday. In addition, the Alouettes signed quarterback James Morgan and offensive lineman Ja’Chai Baker.
Justin Lawrence is six foot two and weighs 300 pounds. The 27-year-old from Edmonton, Alberta, played 18 games for the Alouettes helping them win the Grey Cup in 2023.
Montreal’s offense finished seventh in offensive points per game (20.6), fourth in touchdowns (43), sixth in average net offensive yards (329.7), fifth in average rushing yards (102.2), sixth in average passing yards (250.0), and eighth in sacks allowed (61). The Alouettes signed Lawrence as a free agent on February 14, 2023.
Before Montreal, Lawrence played 17 games for the Toronto Argonauts in 2022 winning a Grey Cup, and 31 games for the Calgary Stampeders (2018-21) winning a Grey Cup in 2018. The Stampeders drafted Lawrence in the fifth round (39th pick) of the 2018 CFL Draft. Collegiately, Lawrence played four seasons at the University of Alberta (2014-17).
James Morgan is six foot four and weighs 229 pounds. The 26-year-old from Green Bay, Wisconsin, completed 23 of 48 passes (47.9%) for 210 yards, three interceptions, and five carries for seven yards in three games for the Pittsburgh Maulers (USFL) in 2023. The Maulers signed Morgan as a free agent on January 14, 2023.
Before Pittsburgh, Morgan was drafted by the New York Jets in the fourth round (125th pick) of the 2020 NFL Draft. Morgan also spent time with the Carolina Panthers, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, and Arizona Cardinals.
Collegiately, Morgan played three seasons at Bowling Green (2015-17) completing 279 of 538 passes (52%) for 3,342 yards, 25 touchdowns, 22 interceptions, and 71 carries for -109 yards in 21 games for the Falcons.
Then, he transferred to Florida International University (2018-19) completing 420 of 683 passes (61%) for 5,287 yards, 40 touchdowns, 12 interceptions, 59 carries for -59 yards, and three touchdowns in 25 games for the Panthers. He was named an All-C-USA Honorable Mention in 2019.
Ja’Chai Baker is six foot six and weighs 310 pounds. The 26-year-old from Omaha, Nebraska, played four games in the XFL with the Orlando Guardians (1 game) and the Houston Roughnecks (3 games) in 2023. Before the XFL, Baker attended the Atlanta Falcons rookie minicamp in 2022.
Collegiately, Baker started at Wyoming in 2016 as a redshirt freshman. Next, he transferred to Iowa Western Community College (2017-18) playing 11 games with three tackles (3 solo) for the Reivers. He was named Second Team All-ICCAC Conference in 2018.
Then, he transferred to Southeast Missouri State (2019-20) with one tackle (1 solo) in 15 games for the Redhawks. Baker ended his collegiate career at South Alabama in 2021 playing 11 games for the Jaguars.
