The Toronto Argonauts announced Tuesday re-signing pending free agents linebacker Jack Cassar and defensive lineman Benoit Marion.
And the club released pending free agent defensive back Adarius Pickett. As reported yesterday by TSN's Farhan Lalji, Pickett is expected to sign a one-year contract with the Ottawa Redblacks. The deal is reportedly for $170,000 with incentives.
Pickett is the third free-agent-to-be that Toronto has released before they were set to hit the open market on Feb. 13. The Argos gave the same courtesy treatment to guard Dariusz Bladek and specialist Boris Bede.
In regards to Pickett, sources close to the situation indicate that Toronto surprisingly did not put up a competitive fight in negotiations to retain the 2023 Defensive Player of the Year candidate.
The negotiation window opened up officially for all pending CFL free agents on Sunday, and the Argos, almost by design, decided not to pursue an extension for Pickett, whose camp was surprised at the lack of interest in a reunion from Toronto's side.
With Pickett off the books and Cassar and Marion back in Double Blue, that leaves Toronto with 14 players remaining on their pending free-agent list.
Earlier on Tuesday, as expected, it was reported by Justin Dunk at 3DownNation that Argos defensive end Brandon Barlow had agreed to sign on with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.
Contract signings for pending free agents like Barlow don't become official until next week. But he is not the only prominent Argonauts player expected to jump ship.
As for Tuesday's re-signings, Toronto has fortified its depth and special teams for 2024 by retaining two key pieces on the Canadian player side.
Cassar, 27, played 18 games for the Boatmen in 2023, tallying 14 special teams tackles (third most on the team), two defensive tackles, one forced fumble and three fumble recoveries. One of the league's very best special teams mavens has also admirably filled in on defense.
The 11th overall pick in the 2020 CFL Draft out of Carelton has accumulated 15 defensive tackles, 42 special teams tackles, three fumble recoveries and one forced fumble in 38 career games.
Marion, 28, played 16 games in Double Blue last season, recording one defensive tackle, nine special teams tackles, two forced fumbles and one sack. The 6-5, 250-pound defensive lineman from Montreal was originally selected by Montreal Alouettes in the third round of the 2020 CFL Draft. For his CFL career, Marion has produced seven defensive tackles, 12 special teams tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles in 31 games.
You can find Mike Mitchell on X @ByMikeMitchell.
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