Alouettes’ Alexander, Philpot named CFL’s outstanding player, top Canadian

Montreal was 13-3 in games Alexander started en route to posting a CFL-best 14-4 regular-season record.

Philpot had a historic 2026 campaign as the Delta, B.C., native set Canadian single-season records for catches (124, third-most all-time) and receiving yards (1,809) in a career-high 16 games.

Philpot, 26, also tied Tyler Snead with a team-leading 13 TD grabs, more than double his previous best (five). Philpot led the CFL in 30-plus yard catches (14), yards after catch (750) and receiving yards per game (113.1).

Voting for both awards was conducted by the Football Reporters of Canada.

Alexander topped voting with 236 points, with Philpot second (154). Edmonton Elks quarterback Cody Fajardo — who posted career highs with 4,788 passing yards and 25 TDs — was third with 23 points.

Alexander becomes the seventh Alouette to capture top player honours, joining Pat Abbruzzi (1955), Hal Patterson (1956), George Dixon (1962), David Green (1979), Mike Pringle (1998) and Calvillo (2003, 2008-09).

Philpot received 48 of a possible 52 first-place votes for 245 points as top Canadian. B.C. Lions quarterback Nathan Rourke (four first-place votes, 114 points), running back Brady Oliveira of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (74) and Calgary Stampeders receiver Jalen Philpot (10) — Tyson’s twin brother — rounded out the top four.

Tyson Philpot is the sixth Alouettes player to be named the league’s top Canadian. The others are Terry Evanshen (1967), Gerry Dattilio (1980), Nick Arakgi (1984), Ben Cahoon (2002-03) and Henoc Muamba (2019).

Philpot and Alexander surprised each other with news of their awards during Montreal’s team photo.

Montreal hosts the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in the East Division final Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 5, 2026.

The Canadian Press

by The Canadian Press

Alouettes’ Alexander, Philpot named CFL’s outstanding player, top Canadian

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