Free Agency: Back in Blue?

The Toronto Argonauts have had a productive offseason. Like, a SUPER productive offseason. After a dismal 2019, the Argos had a lot of holes to fill, and with more signings than any other team, they’re well on the way to realising their offseason goals. But will these signings actually make a difference for Toronto in 2020?

The graphic above highlights the number of changes the Argos have been making over this offseason – over 70% of their 20+ Free Agency signings have come from outside the team, which means new players to complement the new coaches and a new game plan. Additionally, the Argos have the lowest number of re-signings in the league, having brought back only 17% of their Free Agents – this spells big change in the 6ix, and indicates that new GM Pinball Clemons is following through on his promise of a building year.

And these aren’t bottom-of-the-league signings that the Argos are doing out of desparation – so far, they’ve signed WRs Juwan Brescacin and DaVaris Daniels, who will bring loads of talent and experience to the teams offence, as well as the signings of LBs Nick Shortill and Chris Ackie who will give the Argos a lot more defensive power. Additionally, linemen such as Philip Blake, Craig Roh, Fabien Foote and Drake Nevis will ensure that Toronto has better QB protection as well as better blocking and coverage on defence. In terms of what they’ve lost, it’s not a lot – DL Cleyon Laing, QB Dakota Prukop and WR Jimmy Ralph are the biggest names in a big team of leavers, and they’ve all been replaced with players of equal or greater talent and skill. This is a good sign for the team that gained the least from the 2019 Free Agency, and shows that they’ll have a good skillset to complement the talent of newly acquired QB Matt Nichols, who will likely start for the team in 2020.

But what do all these changes mean for the league as a whole? Well, things just became a lot more balanced out East, for starters. Coming off a stellar season with a strong Free Agency, the Hamilton Tiger-Cats will likely lead the East, but the offseason of Toronto (as wellas of Montreal and Ottawa) will give more competition in the division. And with commissioner Randy Ambrosie hinting at a new playoff format that would see matches based on seeding rather than divisional standing, things will get a lot tougher if the Argos are back in the game.

Here’s a bold prediction: it might not be this year, but the Argos are on a fast track to becoming Grey Cup contenders again. Once their new players settle into the team, and with another smart offseason next year, it’s not hard to see Toronto back on top of the divisional standings, and perhaps the league in 2021.

What are your thoughts about how the Argonauts are approaching the 2020 Free Agency? Leave a reply in the comments or reach out to me on Twitter at @TheEndZone_Blog.