The Argos will have all crosshairs pointed towards them entering the 2023 season, as defending champions and arguably the team to beat. The team has undergone some major changes in the offseason but should come out with a similar core to that of their Grey Cup winning team last year. The question is, do the Argos have what it takes to defend their title next year? Let’s break it down.
Roster Changes
The CFL’s free agency period opens on Feb. 14, 2023, at noon ET and the Argos have 26 impending free agents. While the team has already re-signed a number of key players, quite a few veterans could be moving to other teams.
The 2023 CFL Global Draft is scheduled to take place in the spring of 2023, where the Argonauts will have three selections with ninth-best odds to win the weighted draft lottery. The National Draft will give the Argos another nine selections in the eight-round draft, after picking up an additional sixth round pick from the Edmonton Elks on the Jalen Collins and Martez Ivey trade.
So far the big losses are All-Star Jamal Peters from the CB positions, leaving to the Atlanta Falcons in the NFL and wide receiver Brandon Banks. While these will be big shoes to fill, the roster does seem to have the talent to make up the gaps left behind.
The Argos seem set in the quarterback position with both McLeod Bethel-Thompson and Chad Kelly gunning for the starting position. It’s likely that Beth-Thompson will keep running the offense but after Kelly’s heroics in the Grey Cup Championship game, he may be on a short leash.
Ryan Dinwiddie will be the Head Coach for his third consecutive year and this will be the fourth season for Michael Clemons as general manager.
All in all, the team itself hasn’t changed too much, which should give Argos fans the confidence that they could have similar success to last season. Ultimately, much will however come down to the draft and free agency.
Betting on the Toronto Argonauts in 2023
With the season starting in mid February, there isn’t much longer until bettors can get in on the CFL action. If you plan on betting on the Argos, be sure to check out our list of the best CFL betting sites for all the best online sportsbooks in the province of Ontario.
