2023-24 off-season transactions

[Will]

As per Argonauts.ca the team has extended the professional contracts of both OT Dejon Allen and RB Deonte McMahon. Both players are Americans.

Locking up Allen means that 4/5ths of the OL is locked up beyond this season, which is obviously great news!

[paulwoods13]

Mgmt is really locking up key pieces for 2025. Our FA list should be pretty short at this time next year.

[ArgoGabe22]

Mgmt is really locking up key pieces for 2025. Our FA list should be pretty short at this time next year.

And guys who want to be here and hopefully believe in Pinball's vision.

[AngeloV]

And guys who want to be here and hopefully believe in Pinball's vision.

Unlike that turncoat Kackert...I mean AJO.

[ArgoGabe22]

Unlike that turncoat Kackert...I mean AJO.

I have no idea where people come up with such realizations but last I heard, AJ butted heads with Dinwiddie.

But going back to guys signing extensions a year early, Argos A) must have offered a good deal where players don't feel the need to bet on themselves and get an bigger raise next year (like that turncoat Pickett lol) or B) these players really want to stay here and think there is something special here for the next few years. Or a combo of both. Curious how the bloggers will rate free agency but these extensions could arguably "win" free agency and not like the big name signings of Derel Walker, Kenny Lawler or Geno Smith in years past.

[argolio]

I absolutely love seeing management planning for more than just 2024. We have a good chance of being competitive for years to come. Moving up in the draft to 5th overall after winning 16 games was also a nice piece of business.

[Argo57]

Alex Russell joining the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/15/r...-alex-russell/

[AngeloV]

Alex Russell joining the Ottawa REDBLACKS.

https://3downnation.com/2024/02/15/r...-alex-russell/

Never good to lose a guy that manages the cap. But as we already know, when you have had success, other organizations like to pluck your people.

[OV Argo]

I wouldn't discount the factor of getting to play in a Canadian football hot-bed, vs. staying/ playing in place where Canadian football and the historic home team gets so little respect, and is over-run by NFL fan-boys, in AJO's decision. And if the playing in such a place brings some marketing extra ca$h or future job prospects, then that's a bonus.

[Shatto]

Personally, I'm sorry A.J.O. has left but we have to remember a couple of years ago the team released him during the season, only to immediately recall him because of injury to another player. As much as we like to think of loyalty from a player, it does cut both ways. I believe he earned something like $115,000 last year and the offer from the Roughriders is somewhere around $160,000 per season for two seasons. Add to that, the extra money possible in endorsement etc. and it appears to be an easy decision for A J

[OV Argo]

3 more new American players signed by the Argos - 2 DBs & a RB - all with impressive resumes.

Tons of these type signings this CFL off-season = the CFL seems to be having little problem attracting new talent, even though I thought I had read otherwise from some prophets (no, not Mel).

[kellynjk]

So it seems no-one has signed Tim White yet, although according to 3 Down Nation, he is still negotiating with Hamilton. Jim Barker says that White is determined to get $300,000 a season, but Barker doesn’t think he’ll get that an suggests Hamilton may offer $270,000.

Apparently Schoen was also seeking $300,000 but didn’t receive any offers that high, so he chose to return to the Bombers for $230,000.

I like Tim White, he’s a good receiver, but if Schoen isn’t worth $300,000 a season, I don’t see White getting that much.

[gilthethrill]

3 more new American players signed by the Argos - 2 DBs & a RB - all with impressive resumes.

Tons of these type signings this CFL off-season = the CFL seems to be having little problem attracting new talent, even though I thought I had read otherwise from some prophets (no, not Mel).

The RB that you are referring to (Laborn), he was included in the Ceresna/Gittens trade. I expect 2…maybe 3 openings in the secondary so all the DB signings are understandable. UFL TC starts this week with cutdowns in late March, so approximately 400 more players could be available for CFL teams as well.

[paulwoods13]

3 more new American players signed by the Argos - 2 DBs & a RB - all with impressive resumes.

Tons of these type signings this CFL off-season = the CFL seems to be having little problem attracting new talent, even though I thought I had read otherwise from some prophets (no, not Mel).

It stands to reason that with only eight spring teams instead of last year's 16, a seemingly diminished commitment by Dwayne Johnson, and another year of $51k salaries, more guys will be giving active consideration to the CFL. I'd also be interested in seeing stats for how many of last year's XFL/USFL players got NFL shots and how many stuck there. My uninformed impression is that it might have been a smaller number than last year. Hey, gilthethrill, do you know?

[Waffle]

It stands to reason that with only eight spring teams instead of last year's 16, a seemingly diminished commitment by Dwayne Johnson, and another year of $51k salaries, more guys will be giving active consideration to the CFL. I'd also be interested in seeing stats for how many of last year's XFL/USFL players got NFL shots and how many stuck there. My uninformed impression is that it might have been a smaller number than last year. Hey, gilthethrill, do you know?

There is a recent article that touches on this question:


Newly-Merged UFL Provides Last Hope For Long-Term Viability
https://www.si.com/fannation/ufl/new...ility-xfl-usfl


“In 2023, nearly 120 players from the XFL and USFL signed NFL contracts after their seasons ended — nearly 70 of them on the XFL side. A handful of players have signed with multiple NFL teams this season.
There are currently 23 XFL 2023 players on NFL rosters heading into the final week of the regular season. The USFL has 16 players also currently on NFL rosters. The XFL in 2020, a league that played three years ago, also has 16 players still on NFL teams. Many of them are going on their fourth straight season of collecting paychecks in the NFL.
Even the Alliance of American Football from 2019 has several of its standouts as continuous active NFL players, such as Pro Bowl kicker Younghoe Koo, among others.”


There was also an article touching on this by Mike Mitchell in March, 2022:


Former XFL Players Currently On NFL, CFL, And USFL Rosters
https://xflnewshub.com/xfl-news/form...-usfl-rosters/

[gilthethrill]

It stands to reason that with only eight spring teams instead of last year's 16, a seemingly diminished commitment by Dwayne Johnson, and another year of $51k salaries, more guys will be giving active consideration to the CFL. I'd also be interested in seeing stats for how many of last year's XFL/USFL players got NFL shots and how many stuck there. My uninformed impression is that it might have been a smaller number than last year. Hey, gilthethrill, do you know?

The information that Waffle provided is what I was looking at as well. However many XFL and USFL players were let go and a few were signed as the NFL season progressed.

I think its worth mentioning too, that any XFL/USFL player that wanted to be drafted by the newly formed UFL had to sign a “Letter of Intent” if they wished to be included in the “Merger Draft”. A lot of the players didn’t want to do that and either retired or signed with a CFL team.

[OV Argo]

Not really many players are going from the XFL or USFL to make an NFL roster; however, those 2 leagues being around might have helped protect some CFL teams from having their rosters raided by NFL teams, and even a bit helps. NFL teams with more contacts within the coaches & scouts of the minor US pro leagues and easier to attend games there (though access to film should be even / no problem), likely means it's easier for them to look there for extra bodies or long-range prospects. Less teams with just the one league might change that a bit now ?

Seems to me, NFL interest in top CFL football talent is basically at an all-time low. And that's a very good thing for CFL teams and CFL fans. Keep up the good work NFL super-experts.

[Rich]

Seems to me, NFL interest in top CFL football talent is basically at an all-time low.

You’re probably right, but the same time I don’t ever recall before seeing a non-kicker Canadian player jump to the NFL after playing several years in the CFL like Betts did.

I think whatever happens to Stiggers will be a good reflection on how the NFL views the coaching and the quality of play up here in the boondocks.

[OV Argo]

You’re probably right, but the same time I don’t ever recall before seeing a non-kicker Canadian player jump to the NFL after playing several years in the CFL like Betts did.

I think whatever happens to Stiggers will be a good reflection on how the NFL views the coaching and the quality of play up here in the boondocks.

There hasn't been a Canadian player lead the CFL in sacks in a season in a long time(far as i can recall), and pass rush specialists are a big thing in the NFL these days = that's why on Betts.

Some NFL team will always be interested in special "athletes" like Stiggers.

I'm just happy NFL "scouts" don't watch much film of CFL play.

[ArgoRavi]

There hasn't been a Canadian player lead the CFL in sacks in a season in a long time(far as i can recall), and pass rush specialists are a big thing in the NFL these days = that's why on Betts.

Some NFL team will always be interested in special "athletes" like Stiggers.

I'm just happy NFL "scouts" don't watch much film of CFL play.

Given that Betts received no signing bonus/guaranteed money, I will be surprised if he sticks in the NFL. He did well, at age 28 going on 29, to get this chance though, as the NFL is usually not interested in players of that age who have never played a down previously in that league. Shane Ray did sign a year ago down there at around the same age but he had been a former first round draft pick.