The Toronto Argonauts are nearing a deal to sign former CFL Most Outstanding Player Brandon Banks, according to a report from TSN’s Dave Naylor.
The news comes in light of a cryptic post from the Argos official Twitter account at midnight on Saturday, hinting that a high profile signing was about to take place.
Tomorrow… ???? #CFLFA
— Toronto Argonauts (@TorontoArgos) February 13, 2022
The 34-year-old Banks, known to CFL fans by his nickname Speedy B, played 111 games over eight seasons with the rival Hamilton Tiger-Cats before agreeing to mutually part ways with the club this offseason.
He ranks in the top 10 among all-time Ticats franchise leaders in numerous categories, including first in kickoff return yards (3,773), punt return yards (3,049), missed field goal return yards (779) and missed field goal return touchdowns (5), second in touchdowns (62), combined yards (13,686) and punt return touchdowns (7), fourth in receiving touchdowns (44), fifth in receptions (422) and eighth in receiving yards (5,678).
The five-foot-seven, 150-pound native of Garner, North Carolina was named the Canadian Football League’s Most Outstanding Player in 2019 after leading the league in all major receiving categories with 112 receptions, 1,550 yards, and 13 touchdowns. He is a four time CFL all-star (2014, 15, 18, 19), a six time divisional all-star (2014-19) and was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2015.
Banks earned $162,000 prorated in 2021 while playing 10 games during the shortened season. He was targeted by Ticats quarterbacks 70 times making 44 receptions for 474 yards and two touchdowns. Banks missed four games with an injury to his ribs suffered in Week 5 against the rival Toronto Argonauts during the Labour Day Classic.
The electric receiver added 12 catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns in three playoff games, coming up short in the Grey Cup for the second straight season. Should the Argos e able to capture some of the legendary spark that made him the CFL’s most dominant player three years ago, this could prove one of the most pivotal signing of the offseason.
