Quarterback Chad Kelly has decided to pause negotiations with the Toronto Argonauts on a long-term extension so he can focus on the rest of the 2026 CFL season and playoffs, according to TSN’s Farhan Lalji.
Kelly, 32, is in the final season of a three-year, $1.865 million contract and became the highest-paid player in the CFL at the time of the signing.
The 6-foot-1 pivot and his representative Chris Lambiris have been attempting to engage with the Argonauts in recent months but have been unable to conduct meaningful negotiations with the organization.
“After months of good-faith discussions, we’re going to allow Chad to focus entirely on football,” said Lambiris told Lalji on Thursday. “Chad has tremendous respect for the Argos organization, his teammates, and especially the incredible Toronto fans who have supported him. He has made clear that he would welcome the opportunity to remain an Argo long-term, but at this point, the parties have been unable to reach an agreement that reflects that commitment.”
Kelly leads the CFL with 4,404 passing yards with 29 touchdowns along with 20 interceptions and 325 completions this season.
He helped the Argonauts equal the most CFL regular season wins in league history during the 2023 campaign, when the team went 16-2 but fell in the East Final to the Montreal Alouettes.
After he was suspended nine games during the 2024 CFL season for violating the league’s gender-based violence policy, Kelly helped lead the team into the Grey Cup playoffs before sustaining a fractured right-tibia and fibula during the East Final. The Argonauts went on to defeat the Winnipeg Blue Bombers to win the Grey Cup but Kelly missed the entire 2025 season with the injury.
Kelly’s decision to pause extension talks will only further speculation about the possibility of him eventually joining his former coach Ryan Dinwiddie with the Ottawa Redblacks.
The Redblacks are far from settled at the quarterback position and Kelly will have plenty of interest in what would otherwise be a quiet market at the position in free agency. Ottawa is in the midst of a winless season, sitting last in the East with an 0-12 record as they get set to take on the Calgary Stampeders on Saturday night.
“Chad’s focus now is simple: compete, win football games, and let his play speak for itself,” said Lambiris.
The Argonauts sit second in the East Division with a 7-6 record and take on the West Division-leading Edmonton Elks on Saturday afternoon.
