Chad Kelly in 2026

[paulwoods13]

But Miller is going to want to get rid of an experienced #2 guy, or is it Arbuckle believes he is above that role now ?

I'm sure Miller would like to keep Arbuckle. What coach wouldn't want a guy like that as insurance? But can the team afford to pay $850ish to two QBs? And I do believe Arbuckle wants to be a starter. His comments after the season were pretty clear on that point (to me, at least). I would too if I'd had a year like he had, especially given the lack of running game and bad o-line play he had to work around. But as I said, starting jobs are scarce.

[ArgoRavi]

But Miller is going to want to get rid of an experienced #2 guy, or is it Arbuckle believes he is above that role now ?

I'm sure Miller would like to keep Arbuckle. What coach wouldn't want a guy like that as insurance? But can the team afford to pay $850ish to two QBs? And I do believe Arbuckle wants to be a starter. His comments after the season were pretty clear on that point (to me, at least). I would too if I'd had a year like he had, especially given the lack of running game and bad o-line play he had to work around. But as I said, starting jobs are scarce.

We don't know where the Argos were in regards to the cap in 2025 and we don't yet know what the cap will be in 2026. Given the importance of the QB position, I would be inclined to spend the necessary money to be as strong as possible at that position.

[paulwoods13]

We don't know where the Argos were in regards to the cap in 2025 and we don't yet know what the cap will be in 2026. Given the importance of the QB position, I would be inclined to spend the necessary money to be as strong as possible at that position.

A big QB spend in 2025 turned out to be worth it, and made sense going in since Kelly's health was in question. But doing that again would (again) leave less money for other positions, like defensive line. If we hadn't spent $800ish on QB this year, might we have been able to keep Ceresna and/or Brinkman?

[Scooter McCray]

I want Arbuckle here. He is big time insurance. Won Grey Cup in 2024 surrounded by championship players all over the field.
2025 he posts phenomenal numbers and it translates into 5-13 because no team can lose an entire positional group (D-Line), rebuild, and expect that to produce results until mid season at best. Injuries and other changes to lineup and margin for error disappear. One year ago maybe they plan differently if they know they don't have Chad for the whole season.
Arbuckle's not a free agent. So he's an asset to keep until someone's starter goes down in season and you can extract maximum payment for him.

[ArgoZ]

Arbuckle isn’t going anywhere. Starters are set around the league. Argos offence looks promising. He’s one Kelly ankle roll away from being the Starter for most of the season.

[ARGO57]

Arbuckle isn’t going anywhere. Starters are set around the league. Argos offence looks promising. He’s one Kelly ankle roll away from being the Starter for most of the season.

Exactly how I see it.
Why provide insurance for another organization when the health of your projected starter is still a major question mark, makes absolutely zero sense.
As many have touched on Arbuckle’s options as a starter are almost non existent (except maybe Ottawa) but the Argos should be in no mood to help out Ottawa’s GM.

[OV Argo]

Arbuckle isn’t going anywhere. Starters are set around the league. Argos offence looks promising. He’s one Kelly ankle roll away from being the Starter for most of the season.

Exactly how I see it.
Why provide insurance for another organization when the health of your projected starter is still a major question mark, makes absolutely zero sense.
As many have touched on Arbuckle’s options as a starter are almost non existent (except maybe Ottawa) but the Argos should be in no mood to help out Ottawa’s GM.

We here might mostly want to see Nick stick around as back-up to Kelly, but it depends on the new HC's views of Arbuckle; Miller might want to develop a young back-up (like Duggan or maybe he has eyes on another young American QB) and not have the same belief that Arbuckle is this great experienced QB sure to come to the rescue in running Miller's offence if Kelly goes down.

Agreed that there is little hope for Arbuckle to get a starter job elsewhere in the league; outside of maybe Ottawa where there is a chance that new HC RD there likes Arbuckle better than presumed starter Dru Brown (and Nick might be the superior QB to lead a downfield passing attack that Dinwiddie likes); IF, Ottawa were to inquire about Arbuckle, IMO, the Argos would be wise to listen to trade offers and see if they could fleece the RedBlacks - say a first round draft pick and a solid player off their roster (not sure who that would be, but there are some guys who can play there).

As far as fearing Nick Arbuckle as an opposing QB if he were to take the reigns in Ottawa ... umm, no.

[paulwoods13]

Let's fleece them for a guy no team should fear. Yeah, that's likely.

[OV Argo]

Let's fleece them for a guy no team should fear. Yeah, that's likely.

Didn't say a trade is going to happen - neither side may have any such interest; didn't say Dinwiddie would be easily fleeced; didn't say other CFL teams would have no fear of facing Arbuckle (saying I sure wouldn't and would likely welcome facing a turn-over machine possibility).

CFL teams have been fleeced, badly, in dumb trades in the past. Thought you might have known that ? SO, if Dinwiddie desperately wants Nick in his TC for QB competition and is willing to trade, there is the possibility of making big gains via a trade; not sure if the rookie GM RD could be fleeced or even give up much of anything; sure would at least try to get something or lots good, if possible.

[ArgoRavi]

Jim Barker told Mike Richards today that Chad Kelly is 100% and has been cleared to play in 2026.