When word broke that talks were underway to bring NFL regular-season games to Montreal, Benjamin St-Juste was quick to dream of his Washington Commanders being introduced there.
The Montreal cornerback’s second season in the NFL ended on Jan. 8. With this announcement of the possibility of International Series games at the Olympic Stadium, the offseason has started strong.
In the hours after the news broke later in the week, St-Juste didn’t fail to speak up by replying to a tweet on Twitter.
“Washington Commanders in Montreal in 2024? he wrote very simply.
Unique opportunity
In an interview with Le Journal, St-Juste assured that he was not in the secret of the gods, but did not hide that he would be on cloud nine if the commanders were called to move into his backyard.
“That would be great! he exclaimed. I had no idea this was possible. I had heard Toronto might be involved but not Montreal. If that happens I don’t know how many tickets we can buy but I think I’ll get 150!
“There are a lot of people I know who don’t see me very often. I’m the only starting player in the NFL who’s from Montreal, and who would have thought that one day I might have the chance to play with us? It would be an incredible opportunity,” he continued.
Guaranteed success
When the NFL moves its budget to London, Mexico City or, for the first time this season, to Munich, the box-office success is resounding.
St-Juste says he’s convinced the effect will be the same in metropolitan Quebec.
“I think that would work very well. When the NBA or Major League Baseball comes around, tickets sell out. I’m sure it will be a great success,” he said.
Montreal is obviously a far cry from the 1980s when the city dreamed of a full-time NFL club, but the occasional game could only have positive effects, according to the cornerback, who was coached at Cegep of Old Montreal.
“It’s a city that has a lot of NFL fans that would love to see
Matches.
We’ll probably never have the facilities and resources to have a permanent team, but International Series games with the Commanders against the Bills, the Seahawks or the Vikings would be really good for the city and for Quebec football,” he said.
The only thing missing
In recent years, Major League Baseball has featured Toronto Jays preseason games at the Olympic Stadium. The NBA did the same with the Raptors at Bell Center.
“I remember every Raptors game when the NBA comes to Montreal. I always got tickets when I could. We have the Canadiens in Montreal, but the NFL’s presence is missing,” he said.
St-Juste expects to return home sometime in May. The second edition of the annual football camp will take place on June 30th and July 1st.
Huge steps in his journey
In his second season with the Commanders, Benjamin St-Juste has enjoyed a spectacular development and he believes this is just the beginning.
“It’s been a great developmental season for me in terms of confidence, playing time and responsibility. There was a big jump from my first to my second year. My level of play was very different. It comes into the playbook with experience and comfort,” he said.
written down.
Before the season the coaches had decided to move St-Juste inside, a new position for him to which he had adapted well.
Along the way, plans changed. Veteran William Jackson was not comfortable with the team’s defensive system and requested a swap.
Against the best
To fill the gap to the outside to face the opposition’s best receivers, commanders turned to the Quebecer.
“I’ve had the chance to play the best receivers in the NFL every week. I played very well because my team had faith in me. My coaches put me in a position where I could show my talent every Sunday. That says a lot about my progress,” he said.
small sample
Better still, St-Juste says he feels confident he’s only demonstrated part of his skill.
“What makes me most proud is that I’ve taken such a big step, but I know I can do so much more. What people have seen at times this year is what I get to do every week next season,” he said.
A wound
St-Juste appeared to be making rapid progress when a sprained ankle forced him to miss five of the last six games of the season. He still finished with seven knockdowns, 42 tackles, two quarterback sacks and a forced fumble.
St-Juste is also encouraged by the team’s progress, which came close to making the playoffs in the Eastern Division, where three of the four teams got their ticket.
The Commanders finished with the Giants, beating the Eagles and Cowboys in half the time in that period.
“Our progress on defense has been significant. That bodes well for next season. We’re on track to reach the playoffs. »