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The Toronto Argonauts have signed strong-side linebacker Adarius Pickett following his recent release from the Ottawa Redblacks. According to 3DownNation reporter John Hodge, Pickett received an $80,000 signing bonus to sign a one-year deal. The defender will earn $191,000 in hard money with a maximum value of $202,000 in 2026.
The native of Berkeley, Calif. has played 79 regular-season CFL games over five seasons with the Montreal Alouettes, Argonauts, and Redblacks, making 337 defensive tackles, 66 special teams tackles, 14 sacks, five forced fumbles, and four interceptions.
The 29-year-old was named All-East Division in 2024 and 2025 as a member of the Redblacks, recording 136 defensive tackles, 28 special teams tackles, three sacks, two interceptions, and one forced fumble. He received these accolades despite suffering a torn Achilles late in the 2024 season.
Pickett is a one-time All-CFL and three-time All-East Division selection. He was also the East Division’s nominee for Most Outstanding Defensive Player while playing for the Argonauts 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.