Alouettes quarterback Trevor Harris appears headed to free agency

While money plays a part in the equation, the uncertainty of the Montreal ownership situation could prompt him to sign with another team.

Quarterback Trevor Harris said in November his desire was to return to the Alouettes.

One month later, the team hired Jason Maas — whom Harris has twice played under — as its head coach. Why then, with a Feb. 14 deadline looming for potential free agents, does Harris remain unsigned?

“That’s a good question and I wish I had a definitive answer,” Harris told the Montreal Gazette on Tuesday. “We’ve been talking. It’s hard to tell. I’m usually not at a loss for explanations. It’s hard to chat about the possible negotiations and what’s going on.

“But there’s certain circumstances … unknowns,” he added. “There’s only so many things people can do, and it takes a bit longer. I know they want an answer, so they can prepare if I’m not going to be back. I’ll have an answer for them shortly.”

With two weeks remaining before the start of CFL free agency, it’s looking less likely Harris will return to the Als. While money plays a part in the equation, the uncertainty of the franchise’s ownership could prompt Harris to sign with another team — perhaps Saskatchewan.

Between the estate of majority owner Sid Spiegel and co-owner Gary Stern, general manager Danny Maciocia is facing prohibitive challenges in re-signing potential free agents. Maciocia has re-signed only six players, of whom three — defensive-backs Nafees Lyon and Wes Sutton, and linebacker Tyrice Beverette — are considered impact contributors.

Along with Harris, receivers Eugene Lewis, Jake Wieneke, Reggie White Jr., Hergy Mayala and Kaion Julien-Grant, returner Chandler Worthy, linebackers Adarius Pickett and Micah Awe, and cornerback Mike Jones could become free agents.

According to league sources, Stern isn’t a fan of Harris. Indeed Stern rarely, if ever, praised Harris on social media last season, instead saving his kudos for Harris’s predecessor, Vernon Adams Jr., who was traded to B.C.

Harris chose his words carefully when discussing ownership. “There are challenges that are going to be tough for them (Maciocia and Maas) because of the uncertainty and what’s going on above them,” he said. “There are certain challenges Danny has to deal with that other GM’s don’t. There are only so many things people can do.”

But Harris also added: “It’s not like ownership has changed from the middle of last year, and we were able to put together a heck of a stretch.”

Maciocia, in Las Vegas on a scouting trip, declined to comment on Harris’s contract negotiations. Nor would he address the Als’ ownership situation.

The Als, 2-6 at one stage, finished second (9-9) and advanced to the division final before losing at Toronto. Harris, 36, passed for 4,157 yards and 20 touchdowns last season while being intercepted 12 times. He was magnificent during the 34-27 defeat against the Argonauts, completing 25 of 30 for 362 yards and one touchdown.

Wherever Harris plays, he’ll be well-paid. Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros earns a league-high $600,000, while Bo Levi Mitchell signed with Hamilton last week for $540,000 in 2023. Harris said Mitchell’s contract has no bearing on his status, but sounded like someone preparing to sign elsewhere.

“I’ve loved my time in Montreal,” he said. “It will be tough to make the call, telling them I’m not coming back, if that’s the case.”

CFL teams can negotiate with pending free agents from noon Sunday until Feb. 12.

hzurkowsky@postmedia.com

twitter.com/HerbZurkowsky1

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