2024-2025 Offseason Transactions Page

[shatto]

I saw the same note re. Holley. A little confusing.

[ARGO57]

Ralph Holley shows as having been DEL and STATUS now says FUTURE ACTIVE on CFL.ca's transaction page.
I don't know what this means in English.

No one seems to know what these moves mean except for some league insiders. However, my guess is that Holley may have been given an early release by the Argos as a courtesy to field NFL offers.

That’s how I interpreted this myself.

[ArgoRavi]

Ralph Holley shows as having been DEL and STATUS now says FUTURE ACTIVE on CFL.ca's transaction page.
I don't know what this means in English.

No one seems to know what these moves mean except for some league insiders. However, my guess is that Holley may have been given an early release by the Argos as a courtesy to field NFL offers.

With the option year rule that existed years ago, it was very clear - a CFL player could only take advantage of the NFL off-season window if they were going into the option year of their contract. If they didn't make the NFL that same year, they were contractually obligated to play out their contract.

Today, is it the case that any CFL player who signs in the NFL with time left on their CFL contract is obligated to return to that CFL team if they don't make the NFL that year? I am quite confused about this.

[paulwoods13]

As far as I know, any CFL player can take advantage of the window at any point of their contract. Terell Ford went to camp with the Packers after his rookie season, even though all NATs are required to sign three-year contracts. I see no reason why the Argos would have to do anything to enable Holley to sign in the NFL. (Regardless, he is going to sign in the NFL, and the reasons for this contract change will no doubt remain a mystery.)

[Will]

As far as I know, any CFL player can take advantage of the window at any point of their contract. Terell Ford went to camp with the Packers after his rookie season, even though all NATs are required to sign three-year contracts. I see no reason why the Argos would have to do anything to enable Holley to sign in the NFL. (Regardless, he is going to sign in the NFL, and the reasons for this contract change will no doubt remain a mystery.)

There was no change to Polk's status until they released him to sign with Atlanta. I am not sure why Holley would fit into a different situation.

[shatto]

Just a wild guess but could the team allowed him to tryout for the NFL, thus delete from Active roster but have extended his contract to 2026 if he returns? As I said a wild guess, based on no information. Be nice if the team updated their fans.

[ArgoRavi]

Ontaria Wilson was released out of his contract by the Bombers to pursue NFL opportunities, as was Elliott Brown by Edmonton. I didn't think that was necessary but I remain confused about what the "new" rules are regarding this. The league and its member teams need to be far more transparent about this process.

[paulwoods13]

I suppose that in order to sign with an NFL team, the CFL contract must first be terminated. In which case it would seem Holley has signed (or is about to sign) with someone. "Future active" would seem to imply agreement that his existing CFL contract resumes if and when he's released by the NFL. Knowing the CFL and its rather haphazard record-keeping, it wouldn't be surprising if that applied to all NFL signees, but some aren't listed in the transactions report.

[Will]

Justin Dunk is reporting that Holley has signed with the Cleveland Browns. My condolences to him!

[shatto]

It was reported a while back that the Argos had signed a number of players to future contacts (Hood DB, Hampton DB, McClain WR, Chambers DL, Horne QB) They still don't show on the team's roster. Wonder when they will?