CFL Free Agency Update: Argos Watch as A.J. Ouellette, Jamal Peters, Javon Leake, Others Jump Ship

Argonauts fans may be having a hard time watching some of their favorite players walk, but Toronto's brass has anticipated and planned for these departures.

CFL Free Agency hasn't officially begun, but the buyers in the market are already targeting Toronto's 16-win team for reinforcements. 

To paraphrase the closing scene of the acclaimed film Usual Suspects. "And like that, they're gone."

The negotiation period started this past Sunday, and it opened up the gates for the Boatmen to lose some of their best players. The unofficial free-agent signings from Toronto's roster are coming in waves now. 

LANDED IN YOW🛬

We've signed All-Star DB Adarius Pickett to a one-year deal!#ALLIN | 📝: https://t.co/29zxho8uMR pic.twitter.com/k4ohmnLkhC

— Ottawa REDBLACKS (@REDBLACKS) February 6, 2024

On Tuesday alone, defensive back Adarius Pickett, whom Toronto released into the open market without making a substantial offer, officially signed with Ottawa. All-Star specialist Boris Bede, who received the same courtesy treatment, inked a two-year pact with Edmonton. The Elks then turned around and signed kick returner — and 2020 Most Outstanding Special Teams player — Javon Leake.

Not to be outdone, Toronto's chief rival, the Tiger-Cats, signed two Argos defensive players on Tuesday; All-Star cornerback Jamal Peters and rising star defensive end Brandon Barlow will play for Hamilton this year.  

On top of that — and perhaps the coupe de gras for at least the day — TSN's Dave Naylor has reported that the Saskatchewan Roughriders have a deal in place with All-Star running back A.J. Ouellette. 

REPORT: AJ Ouellette is heading to the @sskroughriders.

➡️ https://t.co/nlnNujZw9i

(h/t @TSNDaveNaylor) pic.twitter.com/iPBmuvIk2E

— CFL (@CFL) February 6, 2024

For better or worse, Toronto's front office isn't flinching. Perhaps their confidence is warranted based on the club's recent success in recouping talent year in and year out.

The Argos' front office has faith in their ability to find and develop talent, and they are not willing to pay above market. The sentiment inside the Argos organization is that all these departures were expected, and that overpaying is something bad and desperate teams do. 

Team philosophy aside, one thing seems clear: the Argos are not going to be able to match last year's nearly unprecedented 16-2 record. Toronto's talent and depth have taken a deep hit, and there is no avoiding that reality. 

To make matters worse, the teams around them — particularly in the East — are getting better.  One way to take down a top team is to stand under their golden tree and wait for the apples to fall off. And as one can clearly see, CFL teams like 'dem apples.

Updated List of Toronto Argonauts' Pending Free Agents

• Damonte Coxie | WR | Memphis
• Robertson Daniel | DB | BYU
• Dewayne Hendrix | DL | Pittsburgh
• Trevor Hoyte | LB | Carleton
• Shawn Oakman | DL | Baylor
• Cameron Phillips | WR | Virginia Tech
• Robert Priester | DB/SLB | Wyoming
• Shane Richards | OL | Oklahoma State
• Tigie Sankoh/DB/ London Warriors

Reading Tea Leaves on Toronto Argonauts' Revealing Offseason Strategy: Part One

You can find Mike Mitchell on X @ByMikeMitchell.

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