2025-26 Off-Season Transactions

[gilthethrill]

Argos trade the rights to draft pick Luigi Vilain to Ottawa for draft picks. Red Blacks must feel they can sign the Ottawa native.

It sounds like Vilain only wanted to play in his hometown, which is Ottawa. I really want to know the nature of the draft picks coming back to Toronto.

Edit: The details are here https://3downnation.com/2026/04/21/otta ... argonauts/

Doesn't sound like the Argos got much for him, but A) Who knows if he pans out & B) Best to get something for a player who sounds like he was never going to report. Hopefully Argos get a good player at #23.

[ArgoRavi]

Argos trade the rights to draft pick Luigi Vilain to Ottawa for draft picks. Red Blacks must feel they can sign the Ottawa native.

It sounds like Vilain only wanted to play in his hometown, which is Ottawa. I really want to know the nature of the draft picks coming back to Toronto.

Edit: The details are here https://3downnation.com/2026/04/21/otta ... argonauts/

Doesn't sound like the Argos got much for him, but A) Who knows if he pans out & B) Best to get something for a player who sounds like he was never going to report. Hopefully Argos get a good player at #23.

I think the return is fine. They were never going to get an active player for his rights.

[argolio]

Doesn't sound like the Argos got much for him, but A) Who knows if he pans out & B) Best to get something for a player who sounds like he was never going to report. Hopefully Argos get a good player at #23.

Not much choice if the player doesn't wart to be here, Get what you can.

[primetime321]

Disappointed that they couldn't get Vilain signed but at least they were able to get something of worth. I wonder what the conditions were behind upgrading the 2027 from the third round to the second round. I'm guessing that it could be games played, which could be easily achieved if the Redblacks can sign and play Vilain.

[paulwoods13]

Disappointed that they couldn't get Vilain signed but at least they were able to get something of worth. I wonder what the conditions were behind upgrading the 2027 from the third round to the second round. I'm guessing that it could be games played, which could be easily achieved if the Redblacks can sign and play Vilain.

I saw somewhere that it's if Vilain signs with Ottawa.

[OV Argo]

Have to wonder why Vilain would not want to sign with the team that drafted him?

Maybe a hometown thing since he hails from Ottawa, but not like TO is on the other side of the country.

Looked at the coaching staff and saw something better there? Or the rosters, where Ottawa only has one Canadian DE (Aidan John - has played some and done Ok), whereas the Argos have maybe 3 in Kongbo, Ojo & Shand ?

Anyhow, the higher draft pick swap, in a year when the team really needs to build on it's Canadian talent, might turn out pretty good.

[ArgoRavi]

Have to wonder why Vilain would not want to sign with the team that drafted him?

Maybe a hometown thing since he hails from Ottawa, but not like TO is on the other side of the country.

Looked at the coaching staff and saw something better there? Or the rosters, where Ottawa only has one Canadian DE (Aidan John - has played some and done Ok), whereas the Argos have maybe 3 in Kongbo, Ojo & Shand ?

Anyhow, the higher draft pick swap, in a year when the team really needs to build on it's Canadian talent, might turn out pretty good.

I suspect it's that Vilain just wants to be home. I also suspect the Argos may have known this for a while which is why they signed Kongbo in free agency.

[RichK]

Hate to lose The Villain, I’m afraid he could become an elite player in this league. But surely he is looking for a good CFL contract, and with all the big Argos contracts already on the books, I don’t think we could afford him.

[paulwoods13]

Ryder Varga has been released. That trade sure worked out well.

[gilthethrill]

Ryder Varga has been released. That trade sure worked out well.

I disagree. I thought it was surprising Varga got extended in the offseason. With the drafting of Mackenzie in the 3rd Round of last night's Amateur Draft, Varga became expendable. He will end up in either Saskatchewan or BC.