Reading Tea Leaves on Toronto Argonauts' Revealing Offseason Strategy: Part One
As the saying goes, actions speak louder than words.
The Argonauts' early offseason actions have been very telling, and perhaps paint a picture of where Double Blue is headed and not headed when the free agent market officially swings open.
Several standouts from last season's stellar 16-2 team, like Boris Bede, appear to be parting ways with the team in what is likely a strategic shake-up of the roster.
Despite an increase in the CFL player salary cap to $5.585 million for the 2024 season, Toronto seems to be making tough, cost-efficient decisions. It became evident with the Bede departure, but the salary allocation and roster configuration have been in the works for weeks now.
The Boatmen have been reshuffling the deck for 2024, and there's a sense that it will carry over into free agency when the market officially opens on Feb. 13.
One of the primary reasons the 2023 Argonauts tied an all-time CFL record for most regular-season wins was the club's outstanding depth. Toronto continued winning games with backups long after already securing playoff positioning.
Inevitably, the Double Blue's overriding strength in that respect is going to take a dip in 2024, at least on paper at the outset of this offseason. With more than 30 pending free agents on the roster when 2023 came to a close, Toronto has been forced to pick and choose who it can keep — and wants to keep — moving forward.
Bidding adieu to some of their favorite players could be an ongoing theme for Argonauts fans.
For those who have been keeping score, the Argonauts have already shipped away star Canadian receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. to the Edmonton Elks and Canadian linebacker Jordan Williams to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, and they also released veteran guard Dariusz Bladek as a courtesy move weeks before he was eligible for free agency.
Each of these transactions revealed a piece of Toronto's strategy for the rest of the offseason.
Motives Behind the Moves
A Deeper Look at a Trio of Transactions by Toronto
Argos Trade Receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. to Edmonton Elks for Defensive Lineman Jake Ceresna
The trade of Gittens to Edmonton for Jake Ceresna wasn't for cap purposes, as both players had nearly equal salaries.
Gittens, 26, signed a three-year deal last offseason at an average of $208,000 a season, with a large guarantee in the final year of his contract.
Meanwhile, Ceresna signed a two-year extension last offseason with Edmonton, which made him one of Canada's highest-paid defensive linemen. He'll earn $212,000 in 2024 and will be a free agent next offseason.
One could point to the extension of receiver DaVaris Daniels or the surplus of Canadian pass-catchers on Toronto's roster as a reason for Gittens' departure. To that end, although not officially announced as of press time, Toronto is expected to re-sign pending free-agent Canadian wide receiver Dejon Brissett to a new two-year deal.
But ultimately, the trade of Gittens Jr for Ceresna was a preemptive strike ahead of free agency, with three of Toronto's top defensive linemen set to make serious bank on the open market.
When it comes to Shawn Oakman, DeWayne Hendrix and Brandon Barlow, Toronto can't keep them all. There are even questions as to whether they will retain any of the three. The free-agent-to-be trio combined for 21 sacks last season.
The extension of team sack leader Folarin Orimolade, combined with the acquisition of the versatile Ceresna, will help soften that impending blow for the Boatmen.
Argos Release Veteran Guard Dariusz Bladek
Toronto granted a courtesy release to Bladek weeks ahead of the start of free agency in a predictable move. The Argonauts' top-tier Canadian interior of Ryan Hunter, Peter Nicastro and Darius Ciraco made the roster transaction an obvious one.
Toronto made sure to keep their starting offensive line from a season ago intact. Mission accomplished.
Argos Trade Canadian Linebacker Jordan Williams to Hamilton Tiger-Cats
The trade of Williams, along with the likely non-return of fellow Canadian standout Henoc Muamba, has opened the door for the Argos to go All-American at the position if they choose to in 2024.
The departure of Williams in a unique draft-day deal with Hamilton corresponded immediately with the return of do-it-all linebacker Jonathan Jones in Double Blue. Consider the two moves a salary swap. Jones was set to hit free agency, and Toronto prioritized keeping the playmaker ahead of Williams.
Toronto has decided to allocate its ratio and cap resources in a different direction at linebacker. To that effect, the team ponied up a one-year contract extension with compensation at $208,500 to All-CFL defender Wynton McManis for the 2024 season, making him the CFL's highest-paid linebacker.
In Part Two, we'll take a look at some of the big decisions the Argonauts still have ahead of them.
Toronto, Edmonton Pull Off Blockbuster Trade
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Mike Mitchell is a pro football writer/insider with decades of experience covering and following multiple leagues. He covers the New York Jets for TheJetPress.com at FanSided. He has also written for XFL Board and at Hub Publishing covering the CFL, XFL and USFL.