The Montreal Alouettes re-signed defensive lineman Avery Ellis and defensive back Najee Murray to one-year contract extensions through the 2024 season on Saturday according to The Canadian Press’s Dan Ralph. Avery and Murray were scheduled to be a free agent next month. Both players helped the Alouettes win the Grey Cup in 2023.
Avery Ellis is six foot two and weighs 250 pounds. The 29-year-old from Newark, New Jersey, made nine tackles, one tackle on special teams, and one sack in 13 games for the Alouettes in 2023. The Alouettes signed Ellis as a free agent on May 28, 2023.
In 2022, Ellis made 16 tackles, one tackle on special teams, three sacks, and one forced fumble in seven games for the Elks in 2022. The Elks acquired him from the Montreal Alouettes in 2022. Ellis had 18 tackles and four sacks in nine games for Montreal before the trade.
Before Montreal, Ellis spent four seasons with the Ottawa Redblacks, making 145 tackles, one tackle on special teams, one touchdown, two forced fumbles, and 21 sacks in 66 games.
Collegiately, Ellis played four seasons at Temple (2012, 2014-16) with 41 tackles (23 solo, 18 assists), eight tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, and two blocked kicks in 48 games for the Owls.
Najee Murray is five foot eight and weighs 194 pounds. The 28-year-old from Steubenville, Ohio, made 33 tackles, one interception, and one forced fumble in six games for the Alouettes in 2023. The Alouettes signed Murray as a free agent on April 25, 2018.
In five seasons, Murray has 119 tackles, six tackles on special teams, one sack, seven interceptions, and two forced fumbles in 39 games. Before Montreal, Murray signed with the Cleveland Browns as an undrafted free agent in 2017.
Collegiately, Murray played one season at Ohio State in 2012 with three tackles (3 solo) in six games for the Buckeyes. Then, he transferred to Kent State (2014-16) with 101 tackles (72 solo, 29 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions for 23 yards, 28 pass breakups, one forced fumble, four fumble recoveries, and one blocked kick in 31 games for the Golden Flashes. He was named First Team All-MAC in 2016.
