If the Toronto Argonauts are to succeed in 2026 there are several categories they need to improve upon from last season, but there’s one area they must turn around: the running game.
Last year the ground attack was virtually non-existent. The Argos set the all-time CFL record by rushing for a mere 51.6 yards per game. This year the team has Mike Miller running the offence, with Ka’Deem Carey coaching the running backs.
Currently there are seven backs vying for a roster spot, two of which should be familiar to CFL fans, a pair that has been taking the majority of snaps with the first team over the first two days of training camp: Spencer Brown and Peyton Logan.
Brown is back after spending three seasons and a training camp with the Carolina Panthers before the Argos acquired his rights from Edmonton last August. With the Double Blue he showed he could both run and catch the ball out of the backfield, but never really found a consistent groove.
He’s confident this year will be different.
“We’ve got to be more cohesive as a unit,” the native of Warrior, Alabama told Argonauts.ca. “That what we’re out here practicing for. We’re going to put days together, the boys are going to get better, we’re going to get better, and we’re going to build each day. We’ve brought in guys to help us, so I’m excited.”
One of those guys is Logan. In 2024 with Calgary, the Memphis native racked up 1,650 combined yards, then spent an injury-plagued season with Winnipeg.
He signed with Toronto as a free agent in January for a couple of simple reasons.
“Opportunity and me being wanted,” he explained to Argonauts.ca. “The opportunity to come and play special teams, learn from J.G. (Janarion Grant), learn from Spencer and all these other vets, and learn from my previous teammate, Ka’Deem Carey.”
Carey and Logan have a lot in common. Neither one would be considered a tall back – Carey is 5’9”, Logan a bit shorter – both have the ability to make defenders miss, and both had injury-plagued seasons in 2025 after stellar years in ’24.
In his rookie season as a coach, Carey is beyond excited to be able to share his knowledge with his group. He’s also keen to help this team correct the problems it had running the ball last year.
“We figured out what the problem was, we’re attacking it this year,” he told Argonauts.ca. “It’s going to be good.”
All the backs have flashed over the first couple of days, but Brown and Logan have worked the most with the first group. Carey gave a scouting report on each of the two backs.
“I love Spencer,” said Carey. “He’s a big (6’0”, 220 pounds), physical back and he can hit the edge. When he gets speed on the outside and stretches it, when he puts his foot in the ground, he can take it 60 (yards). He’s a really explosive player.”
“Peyton is a gadget out there,” the coach said with a smile. “He can run screens, he can spread it out, and he’s also a great route runner. He gets the ball in his hands, has low leverage, and it’s already hard for the defender to tackle him because he’s so low. He uses that to his advantage and he’s a great player.”
There are three other American backs who have looked good and will challenge Logan and Brown, but there are also a pair of Canadians in camp looking for playing time.
Isaiah Smith is familiar with the Argos pre-season home as he’s spent the last three seasons playing for the Guelph Gryphons. The Argos selected him with the 11th overall pick in last month’s CFL Draft, meaning they’re eager to see him crack the roster, at least in the role in which Dan Adeboboye was used when he was here; playing some at running back and contributing on special teams.
“When I look at that man, he’s just huge,” Carey said of the rookie. “A physical, explosive player and I’m just excited that I get to coach him and groom him to be a good CFL running back. I’ve got high expectations for him.”
The Argos need to break camp with some ball carriers who can help correct last year’s problems. If the early days of camp are any indication, they shouldn’t have much problem filling the game-day roster with two or three capable backs.
ARGO NOTES: It was another cool morning with a practice kickoff temperature of 7 degrees with a steady wind…Chad Kelly is showing no signs of rust after missing all of 2025 with a leg injury. His arm strength is still elite, he shows no hesitancy throwing deep and has not been afraid to run when the defensive coverage has been solid…Rookie kicker Reed Martin showed off his leg strength, blasting a 42-yard field goal which travelled above the uprights and out the back of the end zone. He recorded 107 tackles as a defensive back at Edinboro University and took a couple of defensive reps during one-on-one drills…Benjie Franklin left Sunday’s practice with what appeared to be a serious leg injury. Fortunately, it was just a severe cramp and he was back at his boundary corner spot with the first defensive unit on Monday…Defensive backs were easy to spot on the field during drills as they were all wearing bright red oven mitts. Defensive backs coach Jovon Johnson doesn’t want his group getting into the bad habit of grabbing a receiver’s jersey…Defensive back Derek Slywka and receiver Kevin Mital had a very physical rep during one-on-ones where the DB’s neck chain was ripped off. After the play, they playfully chirped each other on the way back to their respective group. The chain suffered no damage…Last year’s first-round draft pick, Jeremiah Ojo, had a nice two-handed knockdown of a pass during the scrimmage portion of practice. He’s looking for a spot on what looks to be a Canadian position this year, defensive end. Jonathan Kongbo is working with the first unit but will be pressed for reps by Ojo and Paris Shand, last year’s second-round pick…One of the things that has stood out has been the absolute buy-in by players to celebrate as a team, not as individuals. Whenever a player makes a play, his group will explode with encouragement…Third-round draft pick Louis-Philippe Gauthier had another solid day at field corner on the second unit…Offensive line coach Dom Picard is a quiet man off the field, but has been noticeably loud and enthusiastic during practices…At the end of practice, strength and conditioning coach Chris Johnson had the players run a drill that had the potential of backfiring, but did the exact opposite. On the hill located on the east side of Alumni Stadium, he had players run up the steep incline backwards, walk down the hill, then run up the hill backwards again until they had done it six times. Instead of griping about the end-of-practice drill, players became exceptionally vocal and supportive of the players who struggled, especially some of the bigger linemen. Some players did additional reps, backpedaling alongside their teammates, encouraging them to complete the (for some) challenging drill. It sounds like something out of a movie, but the exercise became a positive team building moment that coaches can only dream of. It showed this group truly wants to Pull Together.