Dejon Allen for Ryder Varga

[paulwoods13]

ARGONAUTS AGREE TO TRADE WITH B.C. LIONS

TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today that the team has traded American OL Dejon Allen for Canadian LB Ryder Varga and the Lion's second-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft.

"We appreciate the hard work and sacrifices Dejon and his family have made for us to win two Grey Cup championships together," said Argos Head Coach Ryan Dinwiddie. "He was a big part of our success over the past four seasons. We wish him all the best in the future"

Varga (6'3/225lbs) played 18 games with the Leos in 2024 tallying 73 defensive tackles, five special teams tackles, one sack, one fumble recovery, and four knockdowns. The Regina native was drafted by B.C. in 2022 in the third round (29th overall) but returned to school that year. Varga would suit up for the Lions in 2023 playing in all 18 games recording nine defensive tackles, 13 special teams tackles, and one sack. The 25-year-old attended the University of Regina (2018-2022) playing in 30 games and tallying 128.5 tackles, 20.5 for loss, 6.5 sacks,s and four forced fumbles. He was named First Team All-Canadian and Canada West Most Outstanding Defensive Player in 2022 as well as a Canada West All-Star twice (2021-2022).

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This is a pretty stunning move. IMO Allen is the best o-lineman in the league. I have to assume they are planning to go with four NAT o-linemen (including Hunter) and also preparing for the possibility of losing a NAT starter or two (like say Smith and/or Metchie) by adding a NAT LB who can start.

[Will]

Allen was also stated to make $210,000 which might free up some money to retain a free agent elsewhere. They must think highly of Moore and/or Doxater.

[OV Argo]

Maybe they felt the current surplus of O-linemen made Allen somewhat expendable? Hunter, Doxater, maybe MacKellar might all be able to handle an OT spot, and that gives 4 National starters at that one position group; plus at least 2 Canadian receivers = 6 Nat. starters on O alone.

Be interesting to see if Varga is viewed as a starting LB and given a chance there on D. He's a MLB or W-OLB type, Was quite impressive IMO on the BC D, and a former CanWest D player of the year. Argos sure have built up a pile of Canadian LBs now (current roster guys including recent draft picks; plus that Junior ball star signed from the Riders' PR). Could even start 3 Canadian LBs if McManis leaves (hope not) - Varga or Cassar in the middle; Varga or Sopik at W-OLB; Adeleke at S-OLB; but that would be pretty GOB mind-boggling.

[paulwoods13]

Maybe they felt the current surplus of O-linemen made Allen somewhat expendable? Hunter, Doxater, maybe MacKellar might all be able to handle an OT spot

I don't think Mackellar will be with the Argos this year. Someone else is gonna overpay him.

[paulwoods13]

Allen was also stated to make $210,000 which might free up some money to retain a free agent elsewhere. They must think highly of Moore and/or Doxater.

No doubt there are cap implications. Freeing up money for McManis, hopefully.

The last big off-season trade (Gittens for Ceresna) was also stunning but worked out well; hopefully this one will, too.

I'd love to know who pulled the trigger on this. If (as some reports have suggested) Murphy is gone, who does that leave? I'm guessing Dinwiddie is becoming de facto GM.

[Will]

Allen was also stated to make $210,000 which might free up some money to retain a free agent elsewhere. They must think highly of Moore and/or Doxater.

No doubt there are cap implications. Freeing up money for McManis, hopefully.

The last big off-season trade (Gittens for Ceresna) was also stunning but worked out well; hopefully this one will, too.

I'd love to know who pulled the trigger on this. If (as some reports have suggested) Murphy is gone, who does that leave? I'm guessing Dinwiddie is becoming de facto GM.

Wouldn't we all?

It's getting closer and closer to free agency. I'm not concerned about pending FAs because I've noted that in the past it has been the MO of this front office to not do the heavy lifting re-signing guys until well into January, however I am interested to know who is in charge of the front office given the Murphy rumors.

[OV Argo]

Maybe they felt the current surplus of O-linemen made Allen somewhat expendable? Hunter, Doxater, maybe MacKellar might all be able to handle an OT spot

I don't think Mackellar will be with the Argos this year. Someone else is gonna overpay him.

I think some (including you maybe?) were saying the same thing about D. Giffen last off-season?

Weak or limited supply of O-linemen this coming draft it seems, so maybe that means a run on some known FA O-linemen; but don't count on other teams to have much respect for Canadian talent as prized FAs, who are not long-term starters already.

[shatto]

The team has an impressive list of Canadians for the OL. IMO, Hunter/Ciraco/Nicasto/Vandal/Giffen have been impressive as starters. Add Doxtator and that is a very good list of Canadians. Agree with Paul about Mackeller who appears to have gone backward in his development as a starter. Cage has always played very well when he stays injury free. So Cage or Moore could also be in the mix and they would both be a lot cheaper than Allen. The money save could well be used to help sign one or two of the team's FAs

[paulwoods13]

I think some (including you maybe?) were saying the same thing about D. Giffen last off-season?

Weak or limited supply of O-linemen this coming draft it seems, so maybe that means a run on some known FA O-linemen; but don't count on other teams to have much respect for Canadian talent as prized FAs, who are not long-term starters already.

I probably did predict Giffen would leave as a free agent' fortunately he didn't. Given the need around the league for NAT o-linemen, MacKellar's status as a former first-rounder, and the (to me, at least) surprising development of Shane Richards into a starter for Edm after four years as an Argo backup, I do expect MacKellar's gonna be signed by someone, and probably to bigger money than he deserves after three rather lacklustre years here.

[OV Argo]

I think some (including you maybe?) were saying the same thing about D. Giffen last off-season?

Weak or limited supply of O-linemen this coming draft it seems, so maybe that means a run on some known FA O-linemen; but don't count on other teams to have much respect for Canadian talent as prized FAs, who are not long-term starters already.

I probably did predict Giffen would leave as a free agent' fortunately he didn't. Given the need around the league for NAT o-linemen, MacKellar's status as a former first-rounder, and the (to me, at least) surprising development of Shane Richards into a starter for Edm after four years as an Argo backup, I do expect MacKellar's gonna be signed by someone, and probably to bigger money than he deserves after three rather lacklustre years here.

Eric Starczala took over as RedBlacks starting C last season and arguably did more than Shane Richards, including play on that Ottawa O-line/offence that put up close to 500 passing yards and doubled time of possession in the play-off game vs. the eventual GC winner.

MacKellar was an all-star OT in U Sports ball (as was Vandal - last round draft pick); now maybe most top Canadian OTs need to be written-off from playing there in the GOB CFL, but not necessarily all of them; just like they all aren't going to transition to interior O-linemen easily. MacKellar might be able to take a starting OT job in Ottawa (just like Stacrzala took over from a much higher drafted O-lineman at C) - their recent 1st rounder OT draft picks (Pelehos & Bull) have took turns starting and being benched; depends on real shot at playing time in real TC competition. I highly doubt anybody is going to pay MacKellar anywhere near close to big CFL O-line buck$.