The mantra of pulling together for the Toronto Argonauts sometimes means pulling off what seems to be unlikely. That’s what has transpired today as the Argos have announced that they have re-signed RB A.J. Ouellete. The rising star rejoins the Grey Cup Champions a day after future hall of famer Andrew Harris reportedly re-upped with Double Blue for what will be his final CFL season.

Ouellette has signed a one-year extension with the Boatmen. He was set to become a free agent on Valentine’s Day when CFL free agency officially opens. There was significant speculation that Ouellette would seek greener pastures elsewhere because of a competitive market and the Argos bringing back Harris. But the dynamic all-purpose back chose to stay true to Double Blue. And the other way around.

TORONTO ARGONAUTS BRING BACK EAST ALL-STAR RB A.J. OUELLETTE

TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today the team re-signed American RB A.J. Ouellette.

Ouellette, 27, played 13 games for the Double Blue in 2022, filling in as the lead back when Andrew Harris was injured in week ten and rushed for over 500 yards and two touchdowns while catching 38 passes for 350 yards and one more major. That performance earned the former Ohio Bobcat an East All-Star nomination.

The 5’10, 210lb bruising running back was one of the heroes of the 109^th Grey Cup as he scored two touchdowns in the second half propelling the Argos to another championship. The three-year CFL veteran has played 22 regular-season games for Toronto and rushed for nearly 800 yards and two scores with 43 catches for 389 yards and another two touchdowns.

Updated 2023 Toronto Argonauts Free Agency Tracker

The Boatmen have been the busiest team in CFL free agency. And the official signing period hasn’t even started yet.

In case you missed it, in the last few days, the Argonauts have traded their 2023 first-round pick, ninth overall, to the Lions for star national linebacker Jordan Williams. And the Argos have reportedly struck a massive deal with soon-to-be former Stampeders edge rusher Folin Orimolade. The two-year pact is expected to make Orimolade the highest-paid CFL DE at nearly 250k per season.

On top of those two significant acquisitions, The Argonauts keep its championship core intact. Toronto has now re-signed 14 of their 26 pending free agents. A.J. Ouellette is the latest big name to rejoin the champion, Boatmen.

Arguably, their most significant re-signing came last week with Canadian Superstar WR Kurleigh Gittens. Sources indicate that Toronto’s 2019 third-round selection got a three-year deal that will average 208k per season.

At some point, the ocean or money will dry up for the Argonauts. There’s still the matter of resolving the pivot situation with McLeod Bethel Thompson set to become a free agent in three days. But for now, the Argos faithful can rejoice in all the key figures returning to the 6ix.

ARGONAUTS UPDATED LIST OF 2023 PENDING FREE AGENTS