Official: former first-round CFL draft pick Jonathan Kongbo joins Toronto Argonauts

Photo courtesy: Dale MacMillan/Edmonton Elks

The Toronto Argonauts have officially signed Canadian defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo. 3DownNation reported the agreement during the negotiation window.

Kongbo spent the 2025 season with the Edmonton Elks. He suited up in 16 games, making six defensive tackles and setting a new career-high with four sacks.

The 29-year-old did not play in the CFL in 2024 despite being offered contracts, choosing to find himself outside football and reflect on past issues.

Born in Zaire and raised in Surrey, B.C., Kongbo was originally the fifth overall pick in the 2019 CFL Draft. He made 12 tackles and one sack with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as a rookie prior to spending 2020 with the San Francisco 49ers. He returned to Winnipeg in 2021 and won a second Grey Cup with the team before having another stint in the NFL.

The University of Tennessee product signed with the Denver Broncos in 2022 and dressed for three regular-season games, recording one tackle. He earned $329,168 USD in the Mile High City.

In May 2023, Kongbo signed with his hometown B.C. Lions, although the Hamilton Tiger-Cats traded for him two weeks later. The move came after a falling out during which he questioned the franchise’s culture on social media following reports that the six-foot-five, 256-pounder was not a fit in the locker room.

Kongbo made 15 defensive tackles and three special teams tackles during 18 regular-season games with Hamilton in 2023. He was granted his release prior to a $15,000 off-season roster bonus on Feb. 1, 2024.

In 60 career CFL games, Kongbo has produced 49 defensive tackles, four special teams tackles, and eight sacks.

Pending CFL free agents were able to communicate with teams around the league from February 1 to 8, during which time contracts could be negotiated and agreed upon but not signed. Starting Tuesday, February 10, at noon EST, players can officially change teams.

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, the leading receiver was Dejon Brissett with 907 yards, and the 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.