GUELPH, ON - MAY 31: The Hamilton Tiger-Cats and the Toronto Argonauts compete in a CFL preseason game on Friday, May 31st, 2024 at Alumni Stadium in Guelph, Ontario.
It’s as easy as one, two, three downs.
May has become a month of routine in Canada. You do some yard work, celebrate the May two-four weekend, and welcome the beginning of a uniquely Canadian sport, the CFL.
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Event |
Date |
More Information |
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May 11 |
Training Camp Starts |
The Argos hit the field in Guelph as the 2025 Training Camp officially kicks off. |
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May 15 |
Huddle Up Day at Practice |
The team hosts students at practice focused on community and youth outreach through the Huddle Up anti-bullying program. |
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May 19 |
Double Blue Game |
Fans get their first look at the roster during an intra squad scrimmage featuring live action and player matchups. |
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May 24 |
Preseason: Toronto @ Hamilton |
The Argos head to Hamilton for their first preseason test against the rival Tiger-Cats. |
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May 30 |
Preseason: Hamilton vs. Toronto at Alumni Stadium |
The preseason wraps up in Guelph as the Argos host the Ticats in front of a home crowd at Alumni Stadium. |
For the Toronto Argonauts, the coaching staff assembled in late April before moving to the team’s training camp at the University of Guelph. Quarterbacks reported on Sunday, rookies on Monday, with the first day of rookie practice on Wednesday.
Veterans report on Thursday, then everyone will take the field on Sunday from 10:00 a.m. until noon for the first day of practice as a full team. Fans are invited to Alumni Stadium to watch the session and it’s free to attend.
It’s a new-look group, with several of last year’s high-profile players finding themselves on other teams or in other leagues. But the goal is a simple one, to lift the Grey Cup for a second consecutive season, something no Argo teams have done since the Doug Flutie-led victories in 1996 and ’97.
While fans will enjoy assuming the mantle of defending Grey Cup champions, don’t mention last year’s win if you’re anywhere near the coaching staff. Ryan Dinwiddie and company don’t want to look back, instead choosing to focus on the task at hand.
At camp in 2023 Dinwiddie was worried that complacency would set in after winning the Cup the previous season. He stressed it was vital that the team refrain from looking in the rear-view mirror.
It didn’t result in back-to-back titles, but the team was focused enough to compile a 16-2 record, tied for the best in CFL history. It’s a tough ask to repeat that record, but there’s little doubt the group is willing to give it a shot.
The offence will be pretty much the same. Chad Kelly will lead the team at some point, exactly when will be determined by how quickly he heals after breaking his leg in last year’s Eastern Final. Grey Cup MVP Nick Arbuckle and Cameron Dukes, who started nine games last season, will pick up the slack if Kelly isn’t ready by opening day.
There are only a few questions surrounding the offence. Who will fill the void of receiver Makai Polk, now with Atlanta? The team is hoping someone steps up like Polk did a year ago, going from unheralded rookie to star receiver in a matter of weeks.
How will the running backs be utilized? Ka’Deem Carey had a fantastic season, finishing third in the league with 1,060 rushing yards. He’ll share the backfield with versatile returnee Deonta McMahon and newcomer Kevin Brown, who rushed for 1,141 yards with Edmonton in 2023. Three other newcomers will compete for a roster spot.
The offensive line has several returning players, but which piece of the puzzle fits where? Will CFL Most Outstanding Offensive Lineman Ryan Hunter play guard or tackle? How will centre Darius Ciraco look after missing most of last season due to injury? Will Sage Doxtater be ready to start at tackle from Week One? Could the unit start five Canadians? Each of those questions will be answered during camp.
Perhaps the biggest change defensively is the addition of Jason Shivers, who returns to Toronto where he began his CFL career as both a player and coach. He replaces Will Fields as Kevin Eiben’s defensive co-coordinator.
The defensive line will be radically different due to defections to other CFL teams, the NFL, and a trade. There are a handful of returning linemen, but this will likely be the most interesting training camp battle; determining who starts, and who makes the roster.
There will also be battles in the secondary with several returning players combining with a large group of incoming talent. Veterans will be pushed for jobs or moved to other spots on the back end.
The two linebacker spots are solid as Wynton McManis is joined by Cameron Judge, who is back for a second tour of duty in Double Blue. This is a deep, talented group.
Return specialist Janarion Grant was the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player last year and is joined once again by fellow all-stars Lirim Hajrullahu and John Haggerty.
There have been enough roster changes to make training camp interesting, but remember, patience is important. Last year much of the fan base was ready to cut Benjie Franklin after a couple of weeks before he turned into one of the league’s best defenders.
It may not be the most glamourous part of the season, but the next three weeks will set the foundation for what the Argos are hoping is another magical season.