With key free agents retained, what's next for the Toronto Argonauts?
CFL free agency is about to open and many teams were busy trying to get important moves done but a familiar question remains for the Toronto Argonauts.
By the time this story gets posted, it will likely be out of date considering the Toronto Argonauts have been quite busy, as most CFL teams have been before the start of free agency.
It was all too quiet for a bit in the CFL and then the floodgates opened with teams looking to retain players before the negotiation window opened. In that time, the Argos made deals to bring back the following players; Daniel Robertson, Robbie Smith, Kurleigh Gittens Jr. Royce Metchie, Boris Bede, Wynton McManis, DeShaun Amos, DaVaris Daniels, Andrew Harris and A.J. Ouellette.
After that, the Argos made a couple of big splashes trading for Canadian linebacker and former first-overall pick Jordan Williams. Then they reportedly agreed to a deal with defensive end Folarin Orimolade that makes him one of the highest paid at the position, according to 3DownNation.
Orimolade had a great season recording 37 defensive tackles, six sacks, one forced fumble and a pick-six in 17 games. His breakout year was capped off with a big game in the West semifinal against the B.C. Lions where he had six tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble in the loss.
It is hard to complain about the moves the Argos have made to this point, not only to make sure they didn’t lose key free agents but to find ways to bolster their roster. Despite all that, the work isn’t done to get the roster ready for their title defence.
Does the addition of Williams also mean that Henoc Muamba doesn’t return? It’s tough to speculate considering Muamba’s value to the organization both on and off the field and you have to think the Mississauga native would like to remain home but in a conversation with the Canadian Press, the Grey Cup MVP was pondering his options including retirement.
Huge move. You don’t make this trade unless you expect Williams to be on the field. To me that either means Muamba is retiring or they plan on using Williams the way they used McCoil in 2021 when they ran a ton of 3-4. #Argos #CFL
— Ben Grant (@Ben__Grant) 4:18 AM ∙ Feb 9, 2023
Standout offensive lineman Justin Lawrence is reportedly going to Montreal, according to 3DownNation, which means the team has to figure out the centre position. There is a good chance Peter Nicastro will be good to go after battling injuries that cost him the 2022 season, whether that’s through free agency or the draft, Toronto will probably be looking for depth there.
Now for the more important question…
What happens at the Quarterback position?
Stop me if you have heard this before…the Toronto Argonauts starting quarterback position remains up in the air.
If the season were to start today, Chad Kelly would be sitting at the top of the depth chart by way of the Argos having no one else that would challenge him. That will obviously change one way or another but who that other quarterback will be is the big mystery.
TSN’s Farhan Lalji tweeted out that McLeod Bethel-Thompson intends on playing in 2023 despite reports that he was considering retirement. He would only want to play with the Argos if he plays in the CFL but there could be a situation where he doesn’t return to Canada.
QB McLeod Bethel Thompson has informed #Argos that he is planning to play again in 2023. If he plays in @CFL it will be in Toronto. The club is hopeful for a final answer before the start of free agency but will be patient. Money is rarely the determining factor for MBT @CFLonTSN
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) 9:21 PM ∙ Feb 3, 2023
With little time before free agency opens, the Argos might take the decision of Bethel-Thompson’s hands and go after a veteran while there are options available.
One name some are linking to Toronto is Dane Evans who fell out of favour with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. He remains under contract with Hamilton but it’s no secret that he will be released and going to Toronto would not only feed the QEW rivalry but fullfill some needs for the Argos.
Adding Evans would provide that veteran option the team wants to go up against Kelly in training camp since head coach Ryan Dinwiddie wants Kelly to compete for the starting job. It would also be a nice insurance policy for the Argos to get Evans who would definitely be motivated to prove people wrong while also adding more fuel to the QEW rivalry.
Trevor Harris and Cody Fajardo didn’t seem like realistic options given both would almost be guaranteed to start with whichever teams signed them and would command more salary than the Argos might want to pay. Matthew Shiltz would have been a nice option if he didn’t return to Hamilton.
This leaves Caleb Evans, Dominique Davis, Micahel O’Connor, Dakota Prukop, and Antonio Pipkin as the only remaining options with CFL experience under their belt. It’s tough to really see any look better than Evans unless the Argos feel like they can turn one into a viable option even as a backup.