Chad Kelly puts contract extension talks with Toronto Argonauts on hold: report

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Star quarterback Chad Kelly has put contract talks with the Toronto Argonauts on hold until the end of the 2026 season, according to a report from TSN’s Farhan Lalji.

The 32-year-old is slated to become a CFL free agent this offseason and had been pursuing discussions regarding a possible extension, but appears to have been dissatisfied with the progress.

Kelly’s agent, Chris Lambiris, provided the following statement to TSN on Thursday: “After months of good-faith discussions, we’re going to allow Chad to focus entirely on football. 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.”

“Chad’s focus now is simple: compete, win football games, and let his play speak for itself.”

Kelly has started all 13 games for the Argonauts this season, completing 325-of-454 passes (71.6 percent) for 4,404 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 20 interceptions while rushing 26 times for 165 yards and three touchdowns. He leads the CFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns, but has also thrown six more interceptions than any other quarterback.

The native of Buffalo, N.Y., is scheduled to earn $625,000 this season, making him the second-highest-paid player in the league behind only B.C.’s Nathan Rourke. His first contract extension with the Argonauts three years ago was a market-setting deal worth $1.865 million over three seasons, though he was not able to cash in on the full value of that deal.

There could be multiple bidders for Kelly’s services if he is allowed to reach free agency, as the Ottawa Redblacks are expected to be in search of a franchise quarterback. Ottawa head coach and general manager Ryan Dinwiddie previously served as the head coach in Toronto and won two Grey Cups with key contributions from Kelly.

The Ole Miss product first signed with the Argonauts in 2022, following four seasons in the NFL with the Denver Broncos and Indianapolis Colts. He was selected with the final pick in the 2017 NFL Draft due to off-the-field concerns, which continued into his professional career when he pleaded guilty to misdemeanour second-degree criminal trespassing in 2018. He gained notoriety as the nephew of Pro Football Hall of Fame quarterback Jim Kelly.

After arriving in Toronto, Kelly served as the primary backup behind McLeod Bethel-Thompson and came off the bench late in the Grey Cup to secure a championship victory as a rookie. The following season, he was named the team’s full-time starter, throwing for 4,123 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions while rushing for eight majors en route to being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player.

That offseason, Kelly was the subject of a civil lawsuit from a former team athletic trainer alleging workplace sexual harassment. That lawsuit was settled out of court to the satisfaction of both parties, but the CFL suspended him for nine games after an independent investigation found that he violated the league’s gender-based violence and harassment policy. None of the allegations against Kelly were ever proven in court.

Kelly was reinstated following his suspension and returned to the helm of the Argonauts for the final nine games of that season, but later suffered a broken leg in the 2024 Eastern Final. Toronto overcame his absence to win the Grey Cup, but the injury required surgery and forced Kelly to miss the entirety of the 2025 season after a series of setbacks.

Now healthy, Kelly has led the Argonauts to a 7-6 record. They currently sit second in the East Division and can clinch a home playoff game this weekend with a victory over the Edmonton Elks and a Hamilton loss.

The Toronto Argonauts (7-6) will host the Edmonton Elks (10-3) at BMO Field on Saturday, September 19, with kickoff scheduled for 3:00 p.m. EDT. Last week, the Elks dominated the Calgary Stampeders in the annual Labour Day Classic rematch, while the Argonauts beat Ottawa thanks to a walk-off field goal from Lirim Hajrullahu.

The game will be broadcast on TSN, CTV, RDS, and Crave in Canada, and CFL+ internationally. Radio listeners can tune in on 880 CHED in Edmonton or TSN 1050 in Toronto.