The Grey Cup Champion Argos announced today that the team had parted ways with veteran WR Brandon Banks. The Double Blue-Speedy B pairing comes to an end after one season. But the short chapter produced a happy ending for both sides.
ARGONAUTS TURNING THE PAGE AFTER WINNING GREY CUP
Back on December 1st, in an offseason overview article for Toronto here at CFLNewsHub. This current outcome was speculated upon.
At Wide Receiver, Toronto has intriguing decisions to make. Brandon Banks is another veteran like Davis, who was brought on board to help the Argos hoist a trophy. The soon-to-be 35-year-old Speedy B is under contract for the 2023 season. But it’s possible that the Boatmen could decide to move on from him. Banks’ days as a difference-maker appear to be behind him.
The Argonauts in 2023 could have an entirely different receiver room than they had last season. The team has added three American imports to the position in recent weeks. On top of that, Toronto has several impending veteran free agents at receiver set to hit free agency in February. Among them are Kurleigh Gittens Jr., DaVaris Daniels, Juwan Brescasin, Eric Rogers, and Markeith Ambles.
There’s no doubt that the Argonauts
are looking to clear up cap space to break the bank to retain homegrown star Kurleigh Gittens Jr. The entire Argos offseason could see the team move toward a youth movement throughout the roster.The Boatmen went all-in to hoist a Grey Cup in 2022. As a result, with the goal accomplished. Toronto appears likely to take a different tact in 2023.
Below is today’s press release from the Toronto Argonauts football club, along with a quote from team General Manager Michael ‘Pinball” Clemons.
THE ARGOS PARTING WAYS WITH WR BRANDON BANKS
TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today the team had parted ways with American WR Brandon Banks.
“Brandon arrived here as a bitter rival and leaves as a member of the Argos family,” said General Manager Michael Clemons. “We thank him for his contributions on the field and his veteran leadership in the locker room. His time in Double Blue may have been Speedy, but now he’ll always B a champion.”
Banks, 35, played 16 games for the Boatmen last season after being signed by the club in February of 2022. The North Carolina native caught 37 balls for 522 yards and four touchdowns, helping the Argos win their 18th Grey Cup and Banks’ first championship after four previous trips to the big game. The 5’7, 150lb WR was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2019, is a four-time CFL All-Star (’14-’15, ‘18-’19), six-time East All-Star (’14-’19), and was the league’s Most Outstanding Special Team’s Player in 2015. Banks spent his previous eight seasons in Hamilton (’13-’21) playing 111 games while climbing the Tabbies franchise record books every season he played before finishing first in kick return yards (3,773), punt return yards (3,049), missed field goal return yards (779) and missed field goal return touchdowns (5), finishing second in total touchdowns (62), combined yards (13,686) and punt return touchdowns (7) and inside the top eight in receptions (442), receiving yards (5,678) and receiving touchdowns (44). Banks’ had a magical 2019 season leading the CFL in every significant receiving category en route to 112 catches, 1,550 yards, 13 receiving touchdowns, two missed field goal return touchdowns, a Most Outstanding Player Award, and a trip to the Grey Cup.
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