Is a major trade in the works for the Alouettes?

The Montreal Alouettes could soon add a top veteran to their defensive line.

As the Canadian Football League (CFL) trade deadline approaches, Julian Howsare's name is coming up more and more in discussions surrounding a potential trade with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

According to reports on Tuesday by journalist Dave Naylor, the two Eastern Division teams are in negotiations regarding the American player. CFL teams have until Wednesday at 4:59 p.m. to finalize a trade before the trade deadline closes.

At 34, Howsare has a solid track record in Canadian football. He has played in 133 games in the league and was particularly outstanding during the 2025 season. His performances earned him the award for the Eastern Division's best defensive player, as well as a spot on the CFL All-Star Team.

Last season, the defensive end recorded 43 tackles and 13 quarterback sacks, demonstrating his ability to quickly put pressure on opposing offenses. So far in 2026, he has tallied 32 tackles and four quarterback sacks.

A Sought-After Reinforcement for Defensive Pressure

The Alouettes' interest in Howsare could be partly explained by their struggles to generate pressure on quarterbacks. Montreal currently ranks among the teams with the fewest sacks in the CFL, with only 20 sacks in 14 games.

Howsare's contract expires at the end of this season. According to 3DownNation, his compensation could reach a maximum of $185,000 in 2026.

A potential acquisition would therefore allow the Alouettes to immediately add experience and a proven presence to their defensive line, as the Montreal team looks to improve its performance in this area before the end of the season.

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