Toronto Argos vs Hamilton Ti-Cats on July 18, 2026. (Photo: Chris Tanouye)
It’s the call that no professional athlete wants to receive.
On the morning of July 7th, Bubba Bolden was released by the Montreal Alouettes. That transaction would set off an incredibly hectic period where he’d find himself playing safety for the Toronto Argonauts in Winnipeg just three days later.
“It was a big surprise, I didn’t see it coming at all,” Bolden said of his release. “I was working my way into playing a little bit more. ‘Bev’ (Tyrice Beverette) was out with an injury, so I was playing linebacker over there. I think I was a big contributor to special teams, and I made some plays earlier in the season (including an interception of Chad Kelly in the Argos opener) so I didn’t see the release coming, but it is what it is.”
When word of Bolden’s release reached the Argonauts in Guelph, the front office went into action, discussing the possibility of bringing the 27-year-old to Toronto. General manager Michael “Pinball” Clemons and director of player personnel Jim Barker had already discussed Bolden with defensive coordinator Greg Quick, who had coached Bolden last season in Montreal.
Quick said they were ready to pounce when they learned the defensive back had become a free agent.
“That day when he was released and we had that opportunity (to sign Bolden), I went to Jim,” Quick recalled for Argonauts.ca. “We had already spoken and identified him as the type of guy that if they came available, we would be interested in. He was definitely on that list. When he became available Jim and Pinball moved swiftly to get him under contract before anybody else did.”
Bolden and Quick had developed a solid relationship in Montreal. The player texted the coach as soon as he was released and about an hour later heard from his agent that he should be ready to head to Toronto.
Montreal’s decision set off a ridiculously busy 80-hour period that saw Bolden get released and sign with Toronto on Tuesday, join the team in Guelph the next day for one practice, fly to Winnipeg on Thursday, then find himself in the starting group in Winnipeg on Friday when Ethan John hurt his ankle; all this while trying to learn the Argo playbook and terminology.
Bolden says Quick and defensive backs coach Jovon Johnson gave their new player a crash course.
“I got up to speed pretty fast,” he told Argonauts.ca. “I’d say I’m a fast learner. Getting back to the safety position, it’s something I’ve done my whole career so it’s natural to get back to it. I think the coaches did a good job of getting me prepared, and all my teammates gave me the confidence to go out there and play my game, play freely, and know that I’ve got eleven other guys that are going to help me on every snap.”
Montreal’s decision wasn’t the first time Bolden was released by a team. He received similar bad news with Seattle and Cleveland in the NFL and was also traded in the XFL. Going through the NFL meat grinder can be tough; to some a seemingly never-ending series of signings, practice squad designations, and releases.
The Las Vegas native arrived in pro football with an impressive curriculum vitae. An All-American and multi-National Champion at Bishop Gorman High School, he headed to the University of Miami, where he was named a semi-finalist for the Jim Thorpe Award, presented to the top defensive back in the NCAA.
He’s now playing regularly for the first time since his days at the “The U”, something that’s done wonders for his confidence as he tries to prove that he’s capable of becoming a quality starter in the league.
“It’s been a big boost,” said Bolden. “I’ve talked about it a lot with family and friends. I’ve been through the ringer throughout my pro career. I’m just super blessed to be in the position I’m in today. My teammates have given me a lot of confidence to come out and play, and I’m back in my normal element of playing and doing what I do.”
In his two starts he’s racked up twenty defensive tackles while also contributing on special teams. Safety wasn’t supposed to be an issue for the Argos, but the surprising retirement of free-agent acquisition Enock Makonzo threw a wrench into those plans.
Bolden has settled down that spot but has the versatility to move around and play different positions on defence, one of the reasons Quick was so eager to add him to his group.
“The hybrid-type player is very attractive to us,” said the coach. “He can play safety, but he brings the speed, the ability, the coverage skills to be a true defensive back, but he’s got the intuition and the physicality of a Mike (middle) linebacker. When you can combine those two traits within your defence it gives you a noteworthy personnel advantage.”