The Toronto Argonauts have decided to not have another season with wide receiver Brandon Banks on their roster. Before Banks joined the Argonauts he spent the first 8 seasons of his CFL career with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats. After the Tiger-Cats lost consecutive Grey Cups championship games to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers, Banks decided to go to Toronto to chase an opportunity to win a Grey Cup.

That goal was accomplished when the Argonauts pulled off an upset in the 2022 Grey Cup game against the Blue Bombers. During the 2022 season, the 35-year-old Banks produced 37 catches for 522 yards and 4 touchdowns which indicates that Speedy B still has gas in the tank as a playmaker. With Toronto choosing not to keep Banks, would the Tiger-Cats be interested in re-acquiring Banks to win their own Grey Cup in 2023?

Positives of Brandon Banks

Banks is a proven playmaker in the CFL, and with his performance in 2022, he still can be a solid role player for most teams in the CFL. Before becoming an Argonauts, Banks was committed to being a Tiger-Cat and was one of the most popular players with Hamilton fans. In 2019, Banks produced 112 catches, 1,550 yards, and 13 touchdowns for Hamilton, during the 2021 season Banks struggled with injuries but still had 44 catches for 474 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Banks are only one year removed from being a Tiger-Cats receiver and would be able to quickly fit back into the Hamilton offence. Returning to Hamilton would allow Banks to finish his career with the team that he started with, and potentially could help Hamilton win their first Grey Cup since 1999.

Negatives of Brandon Banks

Banks’ presence on the Toronto Argonauts roster resulted in a host of chemistry issues on the field and the locker room. Running back Andrew Harris discussed the culture of the Argonauts “Whereas going to Toronto, when I got there I was like, wow, this culture is a lot different. This team’s a lot different. We’re very immature. We have a lot of work to do. It made me grow and helped me blossom a lot more as a person going out there, for sure.”

Early in the season it was rumored that Banks was creating conflict and “throwing temper tantrums” but did seem to settle down as the season progressed. During the 2022 season, the Tiger-Cats re-built their receiver unit which ultimately was led by Tim White and Steven Dunbar Jr. If the Tiger-Cats were to bring Banks back to Hamilton he would most likely need to be a role player and would need to fit in with a younger group of receivers.

As the Tiger-Cats start to prepare for the 2023 season and have the intention of winning the 2023 Grey Cup at Tim Hortons Stadium, then it could be assumed that they will be looking for any edge they can have especially on offence. It is difficult to say whether or not Banks would be open to becoming a Tiger-Cat once again, or even in the Tiger-Cats want him to be a part of their future.

Due to the history of Hamilton and Banks, it could be a good fit for both sides, and it would bring Banks’ career full circle to win and Grey Cup with the Tiger-Cats. It will be interesting to see if either side pursues one another for the 2023 season.

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