(Montreal) Cody Fajardo was rewarded for leading the Montreal Alouettes to their first Gray Cup since 2010.

The club announced Wednesday that the quarterback’s contract has been extended for one season, until the end of the 2025 calendar.

The Californian came to Montreal as a free agent after three seasons with the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

In 16 games, he finished first in the CFL in pass completion percentage at 71.4% (317-for-443). The 31-year-old had 3,847 passing yards and threw 14 touchdown passes, compared to 12 interceptions. He added 347 yards and three touchdowns on 57 carries.

Fajardo, however, saved the best for last, having arguably the best game of his career in the grand final on November 19 against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

He then completed 21 of 26 passes for 290 yards and three touchdown passes, including a 19-yarder to Tyson Philpot to complete the comeback and sign a 28-24 victory. This pass crowned a final offensive push which will undoubtedly go down in history. Fajardo was named the game’s MVP.

In three playoff games in 2023, Fajardo has maintained a better pass completion rate (54 in 74 -73%) than in the season. He also finished with the best efficiency coefficient on the circuit at 111.1. His six touchdown passes and 677 yards were also CFL playoff highs.