Quebecois Régis Cibasu wanted to stay at home and did so by signing a new one-year deal with the Montreal Alouettes on Tuesday.
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The full-back could have become a free agent on February 14. He will instead play a third season in the jersey for the “Sparrows,” the one who began his Canadian Football League career with the Toronto Argonauts in 2019.
“I grew up in the Pointe-Saint-Charles neighborhood of Montreal,” Cibasu explained in a phone interview.
“My agent and I weighed all the options and came to the conclusion that staying in Montreal was the right thing to do for my goals on and off the pitch.”
A versatile player
For their part, the Als have been careful to retain a versatile athlete within their ranks, who always puts the collective needs ahead of his own.
“Régis is a true team player who has accepted that his role will evolve over the course of the season while giving his full attention to the team,” General Manager Danny Maciocia said in a press release.
“He does the little things that aren’t necessarily obvious. We know what he brings us and look forward to being able to count on him again in 2023.”
Used primarily as an offensive blocker, Cibasu intercepted two out of three passes for eight yards in 2022. He was also an important cog in the team’s special teams.
Trust in Maciocia
When asked about the many uncertainties surrounding the Alouettes’ future, Cibasu reiterated that Maciocia’s presence was reassuring.
We don’t know yet if the team will change hands soon. On the field, quarterback Trevor Harris and wide receiver Eugene Lewis don’t have deals yet for next season.
“Of course I looked at it all. However, I know Danny has good plans in mind and I’m not worried,” Cibasu said. I have a good idea of what Danny wants to do and I’m confident.”
The Université de Montréal Carabins product also had a chance to chat with new head coach Jason Maas.
“He is a very intense person and I like that a lot. I look forward to working with him.”
– The Alouettes have also signed two Americans for next season. They are linebacker Jaylan Alexander and defenseman Jeremy Webb.