Toronto Argonauts release former CFL Most Outstanding Player Brandon Banks

Photo: Matthew Johnson/3DownNation. All rights reserved.

The Toronto Argonauts have released former CFL Most Outstanding Player Brandon Banks, the team announced on Tuesday. As per 3DownNation reporter John Hodge, Banks was due a $35,000 off-season roster bonus.

The 35-year-old signed a two-year contract with the Argos as a free agent this past February. He caught 37 passes for 522 yards and four touchdowns over 16 games at wide receiver and slotback in 2022. He also returned 24 punts for and average of 6.8 yards per attempt and one missed field goal for 12 yards.

“Brandon arrived here as a bitter rival and leaves as a member of the Argos family,” said general manager Michael Clemons in a statement. “We thank him for his contributions on the field and for his veteran leadership in the locker room. His time in Double Blue may have been Speedy, but now he’ll always B a champion.”

Banks won his first Grey Cup this past season as a member of the Argos, catching three passes for 31 yards in a 24-23 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. He had previously appeared in three Grey Cups as a member of the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The five-foot-seven, 150-pound target broke into the CFL with the Ticats in 2013 and played eight seasons with the team as a receiver and return specialist, becoming one of the most impactful players in franchise history.

Banks is Hamilton’s all-time leader in kickoff return yards (3,773), punt return yards (3,049), missed field goal return yards (779), and missed field goal return touchdowns (five). He ranks second in touchdowns (62), combined yards (13,686), and punt return touchdowns (7).

He was named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2019, the league’s Most Outstanding Special Teams Player in 2015, a league all-star four times, and an East Division all-star six times.