Game Thread: Argos at Riders - October 10, 2025 at 9 pm EDT

[ArgoGabe22]

The team put themselves in multiple occasions to win the game. Just couldn't finish the job.

[ArgoRavi]

The team put themselves in multiple occasions to win the game. Just couldn't finish the job.

This was the ninth loss that was decided in the final 3 minutes. The Argos have been one play away from winning 9 times! Again, changes need to be made but, as several CFL analysts have mentioned over the past week, the Argos have a foundation that the Redblacks do not.

[paulwoods13]

The team put themselves in multiple occasions to win the game. Just couldn't finish the job.

This was the ninth loss that was decided in the final 3 minutes. The Argos have been one play away from winning 9 times! Again, changes need to be made but, as several CFL analysts have mentioned over the past week, the Argos have a foundation that the Redblacks do not.

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement, tho, is it? "We suck less than the Redblacks."

[paulwoods13]

But there are several pieces (receivers, QB, LB, DB, K, P) that can be the foundation for 2026.

Until we know the status of contracts, it's tough to state that any position group is a good foundation for next year. We know Kelly is under contract, and it's safe to assume that Casey and Slywkya will be entering the second year of their rookie deals, and Mital the third year of his. But beyond that, who knows? McManis is almost certainly heading to free agency, possibly (probably?) Judge as well. While most of the DBs seem like potentially excellent players, the only one we have seen truly consistent play from is McFadden, IMO. There isn't a ton of speed among Coxie, Polk, Brissett and Mital, but they have been effective anyway, so I agree that -- if all are back next year -- receiver is a decent foundational position for 2026. Hajrullahu definitely needs to be re-signed, if he's on an expiring contract.

[ARGO57]

The team put themselves in multiple occasions to win the game. Just couldn't finish the job.

This was the ninth loss that was decided in the final 3 minutes. The Argos have been one play away from winning 9 times! Again, changes need to be made but, as several CFL analysts have mentioned over the past week, the Argos have a foundation that the Redblacks do not.

The fact is this group lost those 9 games, given they had some injuries at some key positions but in reality this team simply wasn’t good enough this season and is full marks for their win-loss record.

[Nob 2.0]

But there are several pieces (receivers, QB, LB, DB, K, P) that can be the foundation for 2026.

Until we know the status of contracts, it's tough to state that any position group is a good foundation for next year. We know Kelly is under contract, and it's safe to assume that Casey and Slywkya will be entering the second year of their rookie deals, and Mital the third year of his. But beyond that, who knows? McManis is almost certainly heading to free agency, possibly (probably?) Judge as well. While most of the DBs seem like potentially excellent players, the only one we have seen truly consistent play from is McFadden, IMO. There isn't a ton of speed among Coxie, Polk, Brissett and Mital, but they have been effective anyway, so I agree that -- if all are back next year -- receiver is a decent foundational position for 2026. Hajrullahu definitely needs to be re-signed, if he's on an expiring contract.

Totally agree that we don’t know (yet) who will be a free agent. We have seen how that has worked in years past with talent walking out the door, especially this year.

Will they have excess $$$ left over from this year’s cap from putting Kelly on the 6-game IR? If so will they resign some of their free agents with bonuses prior to December 31 so that it counts on this year’s cap?

The big problem has been the volume of players signed on one-year deals that become free agents. I am going to go on the assumption that it will be the same again this off season.

IIRC - when they acquired Judge they signed him to a 2-year deal that goes through to next year, so I believe that he is signed for next season. Plus we also know that Polk is signed for next season.

[OV Argo]

The team put themselves in multiple occasions to win the game. Just couldn't finish the job.

This was the ninth loss that was decided in the final 3 minutes. The Argos have been one play away from winning 9 times! Again, changes need to be made but, as several CFL analysts have mentioned over the past week, the Argos have a foundation that the Redblacks do not.

That's not exactly a ringing endorsement, tho, is it? "We suck less than the Redblacks."

The only big department advantage the current Argos have over the RedBlacks is IMO in the coaching dept. where RD has won a couple of GCs (sandwiched around an all-time best reg. season), whereas Ottawa has, for now anyways, the incompetent Dyce as HC.

Roster wise, IMO - Ottawa has way more at RB; more QB depth; a better D-line; an as good or better a receiving corps; O-lines maybe a trade-off with weak holes on both teams. Kelly returning to former best form would give the Argos a big advantage there though.