Chad Kelly Signs 3 Year Contract With The Argos!

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

Yes, every contract still has an NFL option window. There are many players that explore the window but only a small number get any sort of offer. It's nuts watching what happens and what doesn't.

Take the Bombers example. Schoen didn't get an offer but Ford does after only starting 1 game!!. Obviously Ford got cut but I never felt he was more than TCF in the NFL at the moment.

So there will be more players that explore options and few will jump at the chance regardless of odds.

A bit surprising but encouraging for the CFL nonetheless, I listened to an hour long podcast interview with Kelly before this season started and his full ambition was to return to the NFL asap, so maybe he's had a change of heart.  Or maybe Flutie returning to the NFL at the age of 36 informs him there's always a chance for a return in a few years.  As a starting QB he has to know using the NFL window to explore options within the next 3 years is a bit risky as it puts the Argos in a bind and jeopardizes his starting position if he becomes unavailable to attend TC.

[peg_city]

https://www.tsn.ca/cfl/toronto-argonauts-qb-chad-kelly-to-be-cfl-s-highest-paid-player-agent-says-1.2002128

1.865 million over three years. More than Collaros.

[peg_city]

He'll make around $455K USD a season.

In March, Rourke will have a decision to make. Another training camp where maybe he'll be on an NFL PR for 2024 making $250K USD a season.

[theaardvark]

That's a lot of coin on a guy that has so little time in the league so far... but hey, Pinball bought AH33 without a physical...

Have to wonder how much guarantee they put in, and what part of that is bonus that are taxed different in the US...

[bwiser]

Smart move for Kelly to sign a big contract before the Bombers make him look average next month

[Throw Long Bannatyne]

That's a lot of coin on a guy that has so little time in the league so far... but hey, Pinball bought AH33 without a physical...

Have to wonder how much guarantee they put in, and what part of that is bonus that are taxed different in the US...

If memory serves, Pinball, Harris and Kelly won a Grey Cup last season and have a reasonable chance of repeating this year, not sure the Argos deserve your contempt.

[Blue In BC]

Paying that much can limit the ability to retain other top players on the team. That isn't written in stone per se but paying any QB this much is a risk IMO.

Kelly could be playing in the Grey Cup come November and potentially winning again. I guess we'll see how this goes for him, the Argos and the CFL in general.

Very good QB to this point in time.

[Pete]

getting a quality qb in his prime for 3 years is a win for the argos.  Just look what an aging qb like Bo Levi got and tell me Kelly isnt worth more. But it also sets a nice precedent for Rourke should he return.

[Sir Blue and Gold]

The Toronto Argonauts have made quarterback Chad Kelly the highest-paid player in the CFL for the next three seasons.

The 29-year-old inked a three-year contract extension which was negotiated by Saskatoon-based, Canadian agent Chris Lambiris. Kelly?s agreement is worth $615,000 in 2024 and $625,000 in hard money for each of the last two years. There are no performance incentives in his pact.

https://3downnation.com/2023/08/31/toronto-argos-make-qb-chad-kelly-highest-paid-player-in-cfl-with-three-year-contract-worth-1-865-million/


He was only making $285,000 this year so this off-season the Argos are going to have to tighten their belts.

[GOLDMEMBER]

Smart move for Kelly to sign a big contract before the Bombers make him look average next month

Lol nicely played sir

[pjrocksmb]

He's a 29 year old playing in his first full season.

It is great for Toronto and the league to have some QB stability, but "future" is a strong word.

Nah he's the future

[theaardvark]

If memory serves, Pinball, Harris and Kelly won a Grey Cup last season and have a reasonable chance of repeating this year, not sure the Argos deserve your contempt.

The Argos have a free pass to the EDF basically.  They've built a nice team, but were paying QB's not a lot.  This changes the dynamic.

As to contempt, they are a rival who narrowly beat us when we were trying to threepeat.  Am I not supposed to harbour contempt?

[Blue In BC]

The Argos have a free pass to the EDF basically.  They've built a nice team, but were paying QB's not a lot.  This changes the dynamic.

As to contempt, they are a rival who narrowly beat us when we were trying to threepeat.  Am I not supposed to harbour contempt?

No kidding. This was a little like the Lions advantage in 2022 with Rourke on an ELC. Kelly's deal in 2024 will impact their SMS and the ability to maintain all their vets.

[Lincoln Locomotive]

Smart move for Kelly to sign a big contract before the Bombers make him look average next month

We can hope....so far he hasn't faltered....had a few hiccups here and there but he looks solid and his QB rating is better than Zach's.  He also has 6 rushing TDs and can hurt you with his legs.   

That Argo game will be the acid test for sure.    Hope we have Grant and Miller back as the Argos are top of the league as far as special teams are concerned.    Leake has 4 return TDs albeit he botched one on the goal line against the Stamps giving them 6 points on the end zone fumble recovery.

[peg_city]

List of the last Grey Cup Champions and there QBs

2022 - Toronto - Chad Kelly won them the game, so he's the QB
2021 - Winnipeg - Collaros
2019 - Winnipeg - Collaros
2018 - Calgary - Bo Levi
2017 - Toronto - Ricky Ray
2016 - Ottawa - Henry Burris
2015 - Edmonton - Mike Reilly
2014 - Calgary - Bo Levi
2013 - Saskatchewan - Darian Durant
2012 - Toronto - Ricky Ray
2011 - BC - Lulay (won MOP this year)
2010 - Montreal - Calvillo
2009 - Monreal - Calvillo
And so on

You may not win with an all-star quarterback, but you will likely need one to win. Durant is the weakest QB there and he was still pretty good. The weakest QB before that to win a grey cup was probably Kerry Joseph in 2007 (who won MOP) and prior to that was probably Marcus Crandell in 2001.

You need to pay to get a good quarterback.