TSN's Dave Naylor is reporting that there is a "50/50" chance that defensive end Michael Sam will sign with the CFL's Montreal Alouettes for the 2015 season.

Alouettes general manager Jim Popp said that Sam was close to joining the team with three weeks remaining in the CFL season.

Sam, the first openly gay player in NFL history, was drafted in the seventh round by the St. Louis Rams in the 2014 NFL Draft. In four exhibition games, Sam recorded 11 tackles and three sacks, but was cut by the team at the end of the preseason.

He was then signed to the practice squad of the Dallas Cowboys before being waived a month later.

The 24-year old was named a unanimous All-American in 2013 at the University of Missouri as well as the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

At the 2014 ESPY Awards, Sam was honoured with the Arthur Ashe courage award.