The Edmonton Elks re-signed offensive lineman Martez Ivy to a two-year contract through the 2026 season and signed defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo on Monday.
Martez Ivey is six foot three and weighs 304 pounds. The 29-year-old from Apopka, Florida, started 18 games for the Elks in 2024. Edmonton’s offense averaged 28 points per game, 390.3 net offense per game, 131.4 rushing yards per game, 271.7 passing yards per game, and 29 sacks allowed finishing 7-11 in the 2024 season. He was named a CFL West All-Star.
The New England Patriots signed Ivey as an undrafted free agent on July 20, 2019. In 2019, Ivey played four preseason games. The Patriots released him on August 30, 2019. Next, Ivey was drafted by the Tampa Bay Vipers (XFL) in the second round (13th pick) in Phase 2 of the 2020 XFL Draft. In 2020, he played five games before the league suspended operations due to COVID-19.
Then, Ivey signed with the Carolina Panthers on April 6, 2021. In 2021, Ivey played three preseason games. The Panthers released him on August 28, 2021. The Toronto Argonauts signed Ivey on October 15, 2021. He played one game for the Argonauts in 2021.
The Edmonton Elks acquired Ivey from the Argonauts on June 5, 2022, for a 2023 sixth-round draft pick. In three seasons with Edmonton, Ivey has played 34 games.
Collegiately, Ivey played four seasons at the University of Florida (2015-18) playing left guard in 49 games for the Gators. In 2018, Florida’s offense allowed 18 sacks for the season, ranking 20th in the country. They averaged 35 points per game, 213.2 rushing yards per game, 213.54 passing yards per game, 426.7 total yards per game, and 57 touchdowns finishing 10-3 for the season defeating Michigan in the Peach Bowl 41-15. Ivey was named a two-time Second Team All-SEC and the SEC All-Freshman Team in 2015.
Jonathan Kongbo is six foot five and weighs 256 pounds. The 28-year-old from Kinshasa, Zaire, signed with the B.C. Lions on May 22, 2023. The Hamilton Tiger-Cats acquired Kongbo from the B.C. Lions on June 5, 2023, four a 2024 fourth-round draft pick. In 2023, he made 15 tackles and three tackles on special teams in 18 games. The Ticats released him on January 30, 2024.
Kongbo was drafted by the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the first round (5th pick) in the 2019 CFL Draft. He made 12 tackles and one sack in 12 games in his rookie season and helped Winnipeg win the 107th Grey Cup. After the season, Winnipeg released him on December 5, 2019, and he signed with the San Francisco 49ers on January 1, 2020. There were no preseason games played in 2020 and he was released on September 4, 2020.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers re-signed him on June 8, 2021. In 2021, he made 16 tackles, one tackle on special teams, and three sacks in 14 games, helping Winnipeg win the 108th Grey Cup.
The Denver Broncos signed Kongbo on January 12, 2022. In 2022, he made two tackles (1 solo, 1 assist), and one sack in three preseason games. Kongbo played three regular season games in 2022 making one tackle (1 solo). The Broncos released him on December 31, 2022.
Collegiately, Kongbo played one season at Arizona Western College in 2015 making 55 tackles (18 solos, 37 assists), 16 tackles for loss, 11 sacks, one fumble recovery, and one blocked kick in 11 games for the Matadors. He was named First Team All-ACCAC.
Then, Kongbo transferred to Tennessee (2016-18) making 51 tackles (21 solos, 30 assists), 5.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two interceptions for 69 yards, and two pass breakups in 30 games for the Volunteers.
