Cameron Dukes will be the starting quarterback for the Toronto Argonauts for the foreseeable future.

This week the team decided to remove Chad Kelly from training camp to allow the team to focus. Shortly after Kelly decided to remove himself from the team in order to let the team carry on with business as usual. Kelly and his camp have yet to decide their next steps pertaining to his suspension.

“I want to support the Argonauts organization as it prepares for the season and have made the decision to withdraw from training camp to minimize distractions for the team and to put in the work to earn both reinstatement in the CFL and everyone’s trust,” Kelly said in a statement.

It was suggested Kelly’s team will be exploring his options regarding his suspension but actions have yet to be taken.

While the dust on this frontpage issue begins to settle Cameron Dukes will have an opportunity to show the team, and the league, what’s he got. Coach Ryan Dinwiddie seems optimistic to have Dukes starting the season after putting up promising numbers in very few opportunities.

Late last season Dukes started against Ottawa in order to let Kelly rest ahead of the playoffs. He threw 22 completions on 34 attempts for 317 yards and a touchdown. He also started a late September game in Winnipeg where he completed 17 of 24 passes for 231 yards and a touchdown.

Dukes entered all 18 games last season through which he completed 65.6 per cent of his passes for 760 yards and 2 touchdowns with 3 interceptions. On 35 rushing attempts he took the ball 126 yards and scored 8 touchdowns.

The 25 year old Dukes spent his college days playing for Lindsey Wilson College in Kentucky where he set multiple school records including the best completion percentage in a game (81%) and the most passing touchdowns in a single game (7). He retains the school’s career passing touchdown record with 112 and is second in team history for passing yards with 10,181.

The football community in Louisville holds him in high praise as he has spent many years working with high school quarterbacks in the area. He has been described by his former collegiate coach Chris Oliver as being an outstanding member of the community “who has a positive impact on those around him, on and off the field.”