The Argos offseason has officially begun as the Boatmen turn the page and set sail towards the 2022 season, and one that will presumably start much earlier than the 2021 campaign did.

Argos Transactions

On Wednesday, the Toronto Argonauts announced that WR Cam Phillips and DB Tarvarus McFadden have re-signed with the team. Two American players who finished the 2021 season on Toronto’s practice roster. The Argos also brought back to their roster 2021 Sixth Round Pick WR Sam Baker, as well as signing FB Joe Carbone and American LB Tony Jones.

Cam Phillips, the Virginia Tech and XFL standout, spent the entire 2021 regular season with Toronto on their practice roster. Phillips entered a crowded and talented Argo receiving room after initially spending the summer with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

Phillips finally made his on-field CFL debut in the final week of the 2021 regular season, catching two passes for twenty yards against Edmonton, and with an entire season under his belt, transitioning to the Canadian game. It will be interesting to see if he can take the next step and become a regular contributor in 2022.

Tarvarus McFadden, A first-team All-XFL player himself, spent the early summer with the Boatmen before returning to the team later in the year. The 6’2 205 FSU Alum has similar traits to some of the other talented American DB’s on Toronto’s roster, like Jalen Collins, Treston Decoud, and Jamal Peters.

Currently, Sam Baker, Double Blue’s sixth-round pick, is listed as a WR, but the versatile Canadian can play multiple positions. The Argos had him listed at FB when they drafted him. Baker spent time in Toronto training camp in 2021 but opted to return to the University of Saskatchewan this year. And the decision paid off as the 6’3 210 athlete was named a Canadian West All-Star, leading the Huskies in receiving and touchdowns.

National fullback Joe Carbone and American LB Tony Jones are new additions to the Argos. Both are deep dives by Toronto’s scouting department headed by Vince Magri.

Jones, the Texas Tech alum, has spent time with the Los Angeles Rams and has played in the Indoor Football League with the Iowa Barnstormers. The 6’2 235 pound linebacker started his college and playing journey at Butler Community College and will now be trying his hand in Toronto. Carbone, 6’3, and 225lbs, spent 2021 playing for the Windsor Lancers after his college playing days ended at Mercyhurst University in Pennsylvania.

Argos Make John Murphy Departure Official

As expected and reported this past weekend at CFLNewshub. The Argos officially released a brief statement on Tuesday, announcing that the football club has parted ways with now-former VP of Player Personnel John Murphy. The dismissal comes about after an unfortunate incident that took place between Murphy and an unruly fan after the Argos East Final playoff game.

Early indications are that Toronto could consider elevating someone in-house like Director of Scouting Vince Magri to replace John Murphy. But the team will explore all options. Michal ‘Pinball’ Clemons is Toronto’s General Manager. So any outside candidates hired from opposing CFL teams to assume the VP position vacated by Murphy could be tricky because a unilateral move from another CFL squad would have to be a promotion.

The Argos are going to have a hectic offseason. There might be changes to their coaching staff, depending on if veteran coaches like Chris Jones leave. And the team has several prominent free agents, including QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Toronto will have to make an interesting decision on the pivot in the coming months. With other prominent signal callers like Dane Evans and Jeremiah Masoli potentially hitting the free-agent market.

Today’s transactions are an indication of early offseason housekeeping. But the next several waves of moves for the Boatmen will be very revealing. The 2022 Argos might look very different from their 2021 counterpart.