Naylor’s Kickoff: The Alouettes are in win-now mode

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In any football season, context can mean a lot.

There is no better example of that in the Canadian Football League right now than the Montreal Alouettes, who face the Toronto Argonauts tonight in their second game of the season and the home opener for the Argos at BMO Field.

The Als arrive in town 0-1, having dropped their opener in Calgary – a game Montreal was leading by 10 points at halftime.

It was a strong performance, but this is a team that’s moved past moral victories. After two consecutive years in the playoffs but no postseason victories (following four consecutive years missing the playoffs), the Alouettes are in win-now mode.

The dynamics around this team reinforce that.

Start with Khari Jones who was thrust into the head coaching role early in the 2019 season amid the chaos of uncertainty that surrounded the club that season. Owners Bob and Andrew Wetenhall had thrown the keys on the table during the off-season, leaving the Alouettes under league ownership. Just days into the season, head coach Mike Sherman was fired and replaced by Jones.

Remarkably, the Als not only made the playoffs for the first time in five seasons, but they also managed to put an end to five years of revolving door at quarterback. Vernon Adams established himself as the No.1 and received a contract to suit his status.

Adams remains the No. 1 quarterback to this day.

However, Montreal’s decision to retain veteran Trevor Harris as his backup, and Jones’ decision not to name his Week 1 starter until days before the opening game, have clouded that picture.

A year ago, Harris, 36, was the starter in Edmonton and one of the highest-paid players in the CFL.

And while it might behoove Jones to allow Adams