Argonauts release Green, sign quarterback Nichols

TORONTO The man with the surest hands on the Toronto Argonauts roster is walking out the door.

S.J. Green, the perennial all-star receiver, asked for and received his release from the Argos to pursue other opportunities.

In a prepared statement, general manager Michael “Pinball” Clemons lauded Green’s contributions to the Argos over the past three years and made it clear any return would be gladly welcomed by the team.

“A king will always be a king,” Clemons wrote. “S.J. Green (brought) leadership to the Toronto Argonauts from the day he arrived. A man best known for his hands helped hand-deliver a title ... We grant his request with a pint of sorrow and a gallon of gratitude, and a gentle reminder that the door is still open.”

Green was already into his 30s when he arrived in Toronto after seven elite seasons in Montreal. But in all three years with the Argos he surpassed the 1,000-yard receiving mark, the standard of excellence in his profession.

Green was traded from Montreal to Toronto in April 2017 and was an Eastern Conference all-star in all three seasons with Toronto.

At 34, he’s nearing the end of his football playing days but there is still plenty there if he decides to keep playing.

Green wasn’t just a leader on the field, he was a leader off it, bringing stability to a locker-room that has seen plenty of turnover both on the roster and the coaching staff since his arrival.

He leaves big shoes to fill, but there are already reports about where the Argos will look to recoup those receiving yards.

Winnipeg Blue Bombers standout Willie Jefferson is a free agent and published reports already have the Argos making a strong push for him.

No longer in question is who will be throwing the football come opening day for the Argos.

That question was answered an hour or so after the team dropped that Green bombshell when they made official the signing of former Winnipeg starter Matt Nichols.

Nichols, who turns 33 in March, is only available because he got injured after leading the Bombers to a 7-2 start in their championship season last year.

When Nichols went down with a season-ending shoulder injury, the Bombers had to find a replacement, eventually putting the ball in one-time Argo Zach Collaros’ hands. Collaros, who made his name in Hamilton after leaving the Argos, has been through Saskatchewan since, but once in Winnipeg settled in and led them all the way to the Grey Cup.

Unable to keep both Collaros and Nichols, Winnipeg GM Kyle Walters and head coach Mike O’shea had to choose between the two and they picked Collaros fresh off his Grey Cup win, and likely in part because he’s a year younger, too.

But it’s not like the Argos are getting some used up, second choice pivot.

Through nine games before the injury, Nichols completed 71 per cent of his passes for 1,936 yards and 15 touchdowns while tossing just five interceptions.

The Argos will gladly take those numbers extrapolated over a full season.

When Nichols learned of the Bombers’ choice, he requested and received his release to pursue the best possible free agent landing spot.

He’s got eight years in the league under his belt including his first three in Edmonton, where CFL quarterback development seems to be at its best. For his career, Nichols owns a record of 45-28 as a starter in the regular season but is just 2-3 in the playoffs.