The Toronto Argonauts have signed Canadian linebacker Jack Cassar and American defensive back Benjie Franklin to contract extensions. Both players were slated to become free agents in February.
Cassar played 12 regular-season games in 2025, recording two defensive tackles, seven special teams tackles, and one forced fumble.
The six-foot-three, 240-pound native of Mississauga, Ont. was originally a second-round pick in the 2020 CFL Draft out of Carleton University. He has since made 23 defensive tackles, 71 special teams tackles, and two forced fumbles over 68 career regular-season games, helping the Argonauts win Grey Cups in 2022 and 2024.
Franklin made 60 defensive tackles, one special teams tackle, four interceptions, one forced fumble, and one touchdown over 18 regular-season games in 2025 as a full-time starter at boundary cornerback.
The 29-year-old native of Houston, Texas has made 123 defensive tackles, three special teams tackles, seven interceptions, four forced fumbles, one sack, and one touchdown over 37 career regular-season CFL games with the Argonauts, winning one Grey Cup in 2024.
The Argonauts have also signed American offensive lineman Rush Reimer.
The six-foot-five, 304-pound blocker attended training camp with the Buffalo Bills in 2025 but didn’t make the team’s final roster. The native of Camas, Wash. finished his collegiate career at the University of California where he played 12 games and made 10 starts at guard. Reimer previously played at Montana State, where he made 30 starts and was named first-team All-Big Sky in 2023.
The Toronto Argonauts finished third in the East Division standings in 2025 with a 5-13 record, missing the playoffs for the first time since 2019. Franchise quarterback Chad Kelly was unable to play all season due to a fractured leg he suffered in the East Final the previous year, giving way to Nick Arbuckle, who threw for 4,370 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions to be named the team’s candidate for Most Outstanding Player.
The Argonauts ranked seventh in net offence, sixth in net defence, and seventh with a turnover differential of minus-eight. The club’s leading rusher was Spencer Brown with 314 yards, leading receiver was Dejon Brissett with 907 yards, and leading tackler was Cameron Judge with 79 tackles. Toronto ranked ninth in attendance with average crowds of 15,109, which was a 0.1 percent decrease from the previous year.
