Joseph Zema to remain in the nest after signing an extension

Montreal, April, 18, 2023 – The Montreal Alouettes announced on Tuesday that the team has signed Global punter Joseph Zema to an extension until the end of the 2024 season.

Zema (6’0”, 215 lbs.) finished fourth in the CFL in 2022, maintaining a 47.3-yard average on punts, on top of forcing opposing offences to start from inside their 10-yard line ten times last season, good for the third highest total in the league. The 28-year-old Australian also finished third with an average of 38.1 net yards (punt yards minus return yards).

The Alouettes had selected Zema in the first round (6th overall) of the CFL Global Draft in 2021. He went on to earn the punter’s job during the team’s training camp. He will be entering his third season in Montreal in 2023.

“Joseph has a very strong leg and I am very impressed with him,” said Alouettes General Manager Danny Maciocia. “He has been very good with us since he joined our team, being able to push back the opposing teams very deep in their territory.”

The Alouettes also announced that they have released American defensive back Kenneth Durden (Youngstown State).