The next week and a half, CFL free agency news will be wild and tense as players begin to speak with clubs.
One player is now off the market and heading to the ottawa redblacks. When free agency begins, tsn’s farhan lalji reported that the redblacks are expected to sign toronto argonauts defender adarius pickett.
In his first season with the argos, pickett posted the best stats of his CFL career.
In 18 games, he finished 2023 with 124 total tackles, six sacks, and one forced fumble, earning him a cfl all-star honor. In 30 games, he was with the montreal alouettes for the previous two seasons, allowing 115 tackles, five sacks, and three forced fumbles. He also played in the nfl in 2019 and 2020 with the los angeles chargers and new england patriots. players and teams will agree to terms verbally until feb. 11. No contracts will be made until feb. 13, when players will sign contracts with cfl clubs. After the season ended, cfl.ca had pickett as its eighth-ranked player entering free agency in the league.
I’m told Adarius Pickett is headed to #Redblacks when he becomes a free agent. #CFLPA @CFLonTSN pic.twitter.com/j5In3MrLLI
— Farhan Lalji (@FarhanLaljiTSN) February 5, 2024
During the offseason, toronto has re-signed three of their linebackers, including wynton mcmanis, one of the team’s best free agents.
The addition of ottawa is a significant improvement for a defense that has already proven to be solid after finishing second in the cfl with 37 points last season. The redblacks seem to be on track to win the grey cup this season, from trading for quarterback dru brown to signing pickett.
