Laurent Duvernay-Tardif remains a free agent in the NFL, but an important transaction recently took place north of the border which could affect his future. The CFL’s Montreal Alouettes – his hometown team – acquired his rights in that league, per a club announcement. 
“We are happy to have proceeded with this transaction,” general manager Danny Maciocia said after the Alouettes traded for Duvernay-Tardif’s rights. “Laurent is a football icon in Montreal and Quebec.”
Last month, the 31-year-old made it clear that he would once again shift his focus to medicine this summer, something he did when he opted out of the 2020 campaign to attend to COVID-19 patients. He returned to the Chiefs last season, with whom he made consecutive Super Bowl appearances the two prior seasons he played in. As a pending free agent who had been supplanted as a starter at the right guard spot, though, he was traded to the Jets midseason.
“I’m going to prioritize medicine… and we’ll see in September if there’s a fit,” the former sixth-rounder said when explaining his decision, which did not constitute a retirement announcement. He added, “I’m really comfortable with the risk, and I’m pretty confident there’s going to be an offer on the table in September if I want it. And if I want it I’ll take it.”
A return to New York is unlikely for Duvernay-Tardif, as the Jets added Laken Tomlinson in free agency to pair with Alijah Vera-Tucker as the team’s starting guards. While his NFL suitors could be few and far between at this point in free agency, he would be welcomed back home in the CFL.
“We wish him the best success with his football career moving forward, and are satisfied knowing that if he does play in Canada, he will do so in a city and a stadium that he knows very well,” Maciocia added. “He would also finally be able to wear the letters M.D. on the back of his jersey like he has been wanting to do.”
If Duvernay-Tardif were to wait until September to make a decision, and no satisfactory NFL offers arrive, he could join the Alouettes midway through the CFL campaign, which runs until mid-November.
“Laurent is a football icon in Montreal and Quebec.”
How impressive is an accolade coming from a team that signed Johnny Manziel?
The CFL is dying a slow death. I used to watch it (I am Canadian), but haven’t got quite a few years now.
It’s a much better league than the USFL or XFL but has never been a money maker. Special teams play is far more exciting than what the NFL has to offer. I’m not a fan of the import rule and since the CFL once had a franchise in Baltimore, it doesn’t seem to make a great deal of sense.
XFL was great just ran out of dough should be better now Rock and his ex wife are in charge. The XFL guys will probably get NFL gigs as well
you’re looking at it all wrong. laurent grew up there and played there before becoming only the third player to making the nfl.
Whatever you do Laurent good luck to you!
The NFL should buy the CFL and treat it like a developmental like they treat College
Come play for my Niners. You can still practice medicine. Just look at our IR…. maybe he can be famous for keeping Jason Verret on the field