The Toronto Argonauts have signed American running back Ka’Deem Carey to a one-year contract for the 2024 season worth around $125,000, per sources.
Quad and turf toe injuries sidelined him for nine games with the Calgary Stampeders in 2023, however, he was able to average 5.3 yards per carry — better than any running back in B.C., Saskatchewan, or Hamilton — behind the worst run-blocking offensive line (50.6 as graded by Pro Football Focus) in the league.
Carey took the American RB market to another level in January 2022, signing a two-year contract extension worth a total of nearly $280,000 with tough negotiator John Hufnagel on the other end of the bargaining table.
Carey led the league in rushing yards (1,088) and touchdowns by a running back (10) fresh off that deal with an eye-popping 6.6 yards per carry. He ranked No. 1 in total rushing grade from PFF (93.5), forced the most missed tackles, produced the most rushing first downs and the most explosive runs.
The Tuscon, Ariz. native has been a CFL all-star once (2022) and twice been a West Division all-star after being selected in the fourth round, 117th overall during the 2014 NFL Draft by Chicago. He rushed 111 times for 443 yards, 4.0 per carry, with two touchdowns while catching 13 passes for 131 yards and one touchdown with the Bears. Carey earned over $2.29 million in the NFL.
During his NCAA playing days, Carey was a two-time consensus All-American while at the University of Arizona. In his sophomore season, the five-foot-nine, 206-pound ball carrier rushed 303 times for 1,929 yards and 23 touchdowns in 13 games. He followed that up with 349 carries for 1,885 yards and 19 touchdowns as a junior in 12 games. Through three years with the Wildcats, Carey averaged 5.7 yards per carry, scored 48 rushing touchdowns and caught 77 passes for 679 yards with four touchdowns.
Back to full health, the 31-year-old can still carry the load as a No. 1 back. If used properly, Carey can still be one of the most productive backs in the CFL.
