Gittens traded to EDM for Ceresna

[Shatto]

3Down just reported Argos traded Gittens to the Elks for DT Ceresna. Can't figure this one! Ceresma is an American and was the 2nd highest paid DT in league last year. Unless there is more to this trade than first announced it seems to make no sense. The best Canadian WR in 2022 for an American DT with a high salary--what? The Argos must figure on losing a couple of American DTs to free agency or this deal makes no sense at all.

If this were April 1 I'd think it was an April Fools joke.

[paulwoods13]

3DN is reporting Argos have traded KGJ to Edm for Jake Ceresna. Two high-salary guys, so it's not a money-saving move. As good as Ceresna is (one of the best in the league at his position), this depresses me not only because I HATE to lose a guy as good as Gittens, but also because it almost certainly means we are preparing to say goodbye to Oakman and/or Hendrix. Hopefully we can keep one of those two guys. I believe Brissett and Nield are capable of replacing Gittens, and we have decent depth there with Sindani and Ungerer. But man, losing great players who are also great team guys really sucks.

[bluto]

I hate to see Gittens Jr leave, but I get it. We were the best team in the league last season without needing him to be a big impact. And to justify a salary his size under the cap, he has to be a nailed-on 80+ reception, 1k+ yards guy. And then there was his injury...
We wish him well with his reunion with MBT.

Jake Ceresna is a fantastic player. Like others, I'd imagine that means either or both of Hendrix or Oakman won't be re-signed. I'd love to see Hendrix back. Him and Ceresna (and Brinkman) together would be a sight to behold.

[Will]

This warrants its own thread.

[paulwoods13]

I'd love to see Hendrix back. Him and Ceresna (and Brinkman) together would be a sight to behold.

My preference as well. Hendrix is a beast, and hugely underrated. Oakman is also great but he seemed less important last year than 99.

[OV Argo]

3Down just reported Argos traded Gittens to the Elks for DT Ceresna. Can't figure this one! Ceresma is an American and was the 2nd highest paid DT in league last year. Unless there is more to this trade than first announced it seems to make no sense. The best Canadian WR in 2022 for an American DT with a high salary--what? The Argos must figure on losing a couple of American DTs to free agency or this deal makes no sense at all.

If this were April 1 I'd think it was an April Fools joke.

It's 2 top notch / league best calibre players - at very different positions - traded for one and other.

Both teams maybe seeing need and I speculated earlier in this thread that Jonestown might like to get Gittens who had a 1000 yard season with new EE QB MBT just 2 years back - big upgrade to their receiving corps; and Gittens might have fallen out of favor a bit in Argo land with missing much of last season plus the emergence of Brissett, Nield, Ungerer (?).


Ceresna is about the best DT in the league IMO - so, very nice to acquire him (and would off-set the loss of Oakman or Hendrix, or both - Ceresna is better than either IMO); and Argos still have Brinkman and Knight to help fill the DT rotation.

This trade could work very well for both teams; still sad to lose a talent like Gittens though

[Will]

The full trade is as follows:

Toronto receives DL Jake Ceresna and the negotiating rights to RB Khalan Laborn.

Edmonton receives WR Kurleigh Gittens Jr., and a 2024 7th round pick.

[Argo57]

Not surprised, I figured the Argonauts would move on from Gittens.
This tells me the Argos are expecting to lose some talent on the DL in free agency, great trade bringing in one of the best in the league IMO.
Signing Brissett should now be even higher priority.

[AngeloV]

I called this move after the season . Not surprised at all. Ceresna might be the best interior lineman in the league. Provided the Argos re-sign Brissett, this is a great trade. I honestly expected Gittens to be released and am thrilled they got such a quality player for him.

[Skilz]

I suspect Gittens was likely offered the same "restructuring" special as DaVaris and Orimolade. He was already due a bonus in February - probably offered to convert some part of the $210,000 2024 salary to bonus. He balked. And then was traded. Arguably, the Argos don't make this deal - unless they already have a Brissett deal agreed to.

[Shatto]

Obviously I'm in the minority here but I still contend this is a poor deal from an Argo perspective. Trading an outstanding 26 year old Canadian for an outstanding 29 year old American is not an equal trade as it is more difficult to find a Canadian starter of that calibre than an American.. Personally, I do not believe Ceresna is any better than Oakman or Hendrix but of course we have to take into account that the Argos might have felt they were going to lose one of those players to free agency anyway.

Gittens was the best Canadian WR in the league in 2022 and runner up for best Canadian that year. As much as I admire Nield and Brissett neither come close to that level. Now if Gittens had been traded for Ford, that would have been a better deal.

It may have been Gittens refused to restructure his contract but since Ceresna earns about the same amount, there is no savings from the trade. I fear this trade will come back to haunt the Argos. I may be a voice in the wilderness on this one and I may be proven wrong but that is might take on the trade at this time.

[kellynjk]

I also think that trading Gittens is a big loss and even though Brissett, Nield, Ungerer all had some good games last seasons, I still don't think they equal Gittens when he's in top form. I guess as others have noted, it does mean that there are number of Argo defensive players who won't be resigned, so they had to trade to fill the gap. But still hate to see that Gittens is no longer an Argo!!

["Issues"Mcgee]

Obviously I'm in the minority here but I still contend this is a poor deal from an Argo perspective. Trading an outstanding 26 year old Canadian for an outstanding 29 year old American is not an equal trade as it is more difficult to find a Canadian starter of that calibre than an American.. Personally, I do not believe Ceresna is any better than Oakman or Hendrix but of course we have to take into account that the Argos might have felt they were going to lose one of those players to free agency anyway.

Gittens was the best Canadian WR in the league in 2022 and runner up for best Canadian that year. As much as I admire Nield and Brissett neither come close to that level. Now if Gittens had been traded for Ford, that would have been a better deal.

It may have been Gittens refused to restructure his contract but since Ceresna earns about the same amount, there is no savings from the trade. I fear this trade will come back to haunt the Argos. I may be a voice in the wilderness on this one and I may be proven wrong but that is might take on the trade at this time.

I agree. I do not like this trade and I have a bad feeling about it. The Argos should be getting more in this deal.

[ArgofanIan]

Hate seeing Gittens leave and to loose a good Canadian. Think in 2022 there were times he was our best player.

I figure Oakman could be leaving as well. He is really good. I have to think other teams will make him a serious offer. ( but what do I know...LOL )

But real drag to see Gittens move on for me.

[argolio]

Gittens was almost certainly going to be a cap casualty without restructuring, and we can assume he had no interest in that. Getting a good player back in a trade is a good piece of roster management by the Argos.

[ARGOMAN 27]

Agree but why did we sign him to such a large and long term contract in the first place. The CFL is much too fluid to be dishing that out ,especially for a receiver. Hate to say it but lots of good receivers out there Canadian or otherwise. They should have learned from the DERREL WALKER signing. I know I have his bobblehead.LOL.

[AngeloV]

Agree but why did we sign him to such a large and long term contract in the first place. The CFL is much too fluid to be dishing that out ,especially for a receiver. Hate to say it but lots of good receivers out there Canadian or otherwise. They should have learned from the DERREL WALKER signing. I know I have his bobblehead.LOL.

You always have to pay a premium for top Canadian players, and they had no idea how Brissett and Nield would progress. Having seem them perform last year, they obviously decided that the money should be distributed differently, so they moved him. I like Gittens, but as I previously said, his huge season came playing mostly the wide side WR position, MBT liked throwing to that wide side. I personally think he struggled when moved to SB last season.

[kellynjk]

Well so many other teams and players have recently done restructuring deals that if the Argos had offered Gittens one, maybe he wanted to keep his current salary level more than he wanted to stay with the Argos.

[AngeloV]

Well so many other teams and players have recently done restructuring deals that if the Argos had offered Gittens one, maybe he wanted to keep his current salary level more than he wanted to stay with the Argos.

Personally I wouldn’t fault any player for not restructuring a deal. The reality in the CFL is that you face the risk of being cut if you don’t. I don’t like that aspect of the league to be honest. Seems hypocritical to me. Teams can come up with BS injuries to 6 game players and fully pay them, but not honour contracts presumably signed in good faith.
I expected Gittens to be moved or cut. Doesn’t mean I like it. But at least the Argos made a really good deal in trading him.

[kellynjk]

I totally agree. I don't fault any player for wanting the larger paycheque, especially when you consider how many players only play for maybe 10 years. And although I hate to see Gittens leave, it might end up being a positive move for him to be on a team that needs some strong receivers and to play with a QB he knows. Plus as you point out at least the Argos got some value in the trade in an area where they might need to strengthen.