The Toronto Argonauts have agreed to terms with Canadian defensive lineman Jonathan Kongbo, sources have confirmed to 3DownNation. Barring anything unforeseen, he’s expected to sign with the team. The Canadian Press was the first to report the news.
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 teams offering contracts, choosing to find himself outside football and reflect on past issues.
Born in Zaire and raised in Surrey, B.C., Kongbo was a first-round pick, fifth overall, during 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 and had another stint in the NFL.
The University of Tennessee graduate signed with the Denver Broncos in 2022 and dressed for three regular-season games, recording one tackle. He earned $329,168 USD while 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. That 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 can negotiate with teams across the league during the communication window, which closes on Sunday, February 8. Players can agree to terms on a contract with a particular franchise; however, the deals are not legally binding and can’t be made official until after free agency opens on Tuesday, February 10.
