Toronto Argonauts Week 1 Preview: A rematch vs. Alouettes

The Toronto Argonauts open their 2025 CFL season with a marquee matchup against a familiar foe

It's a rematch of the East final where the Argos and the Montreal Alouettes will want to establish their position in the division early on in the season.

For Toronto, they got revenge on Montreal for their loss in the 2023 East final and rode the momentum to a Grey Cup title despite not having Chad Kelly available after he suffered a broken leg.

Montreal will certainly be hoping to do the same to Toronto this time around and both teams feel confident in their ability to get back to the playoffs.

Here are some storyline to watch for the Argos Week 1 matchup in Monday.

Nick Arbuckle gets the nod with Chad Kelly out

Head coach Ryan Dinwiddie confirmed that starting quarterback Chad Kelly is still recovering and will not suit up for the opener.

“You can see the strength each day is getting better. Not there yet… maybe next week,” Dinwiddie said after practice this week.

That leaves veteran Nick Arbuckle in line to start under centre.

Arbuckle enters the game with renewed confidence and more preparation than a year ago, having taken first-team reps throughout training camp.

“The biggest difference was just having the camaraderie level there. Last year I probably left camp still not knowing half the players,” Arbuckle explained.

Dinwiddie did mention during training camp that he was going with a revamped playbook with more plays being thrown at the players but Arbuckle believes having the continuity allows the team to open things up offensively.

When it comes to shortyardage situations, expect the Argos to use Arbuckle in those situations by going high tempo so that the opposition can't make their substitutions. Jarret Doege, who was brought in near the end of camp, could also be an option.

Taking on a challenging Alouettes defence

The Argos know the challenge that Noel Thorpe's defence presents and if you watched the pre-season, the starters looked in midseason form.

“They’re going to cause confusion… Noel’s going to have some wrinkles. But it’s the same stuff — just in different personnel,” Dinwiddie explained.

Despite the challenge, the Argos coach remains confident in his offense’s progression.

“We’ve got our work cut out for us. But finishing games — that’s what we need to do better,” he said, citing last year’s East Final where Toronto was just able to get by.

Argos defence embracing underdog mentality

Despite all the changes made on defence, Wynton McManis remains the heartbeat of the unit. Though many off-season changes have raised questions, McManis remains unfazed.

“Every year we’ve gone into it with some doubt," McManis said. "The change is good. It’s good for growth."

As the defensc prepares for the Alouettes going with Davis Alexander as the starting quarterback going forward, McManis doesn’t anticipate a dramatic shift in Montreal’s approach despitie.

“Alexander can move around just like Fajardo did," McManis explained. "I don’t think they had to change their offense up much.”

Don't be surprised if Week 1 starts with a bang considering how both teams operate.