The Edmonton Elks and the Toronto Argonauts have made a huge transaction that will shake up the Canadian Football League (CFL). The Argonauts have acquired American defensive lineman Jake Ceresna as well as the rights to American running back Khalan Laborn. In exchange, the Elks received Canadian wide receiver Kurleigh Gittens Jr. and a seventh-round pick in the 2024 CFL Draft.
Ceresna’s Notable Journey
Jake Ceresna, a renowned player, has been a member of the CFL since 2018. He began his career with the Ottawa Redblacks before moving to Edmonton the following season. In 2023, he achieved career highs with 48 tackles and 12 sacks.
He had 163 tackles, 37 sacks, and six forced fumbles in his 75-game career. Ceresna returned to the CFL after a brief spell with the New York Giants in 2019 and won the league’s all-star game in 2022. With a predicted salary of $212,000 for 2024, he is the second-highest-paid defensive tackle and could become a free agency in February 2025.
The Ascension of Gittens Jr.
Kurleigh Gittens Jr. has built a reputation for himself in the CFL despite having a shortened 2023 season due to a hip ailment. In the previous season, he had 35 receptions for 416 yards and one score. His career high was 81 receptions for 1,101 yards and five touchdowns in 2022.
These numbers not only won him a spot on the CFL all-star team, but also named him the East Division’s Most Outstanding Canadian. Gittens Jr., who is currently in the second year of a three-year contract extension, is one of the highest-paid receivers, with a predicted salary of $210,000 in 2024.
Edmonton Elks and Toronto Argonauts Make Strategic Moves
This deal exemplifies both organizations’ strategies of bolstering their respective rosters. The Elks have exchanged a top-tier defensive player for a proven receiver, while the Argonauts have obtained a potential game-changer on the defensive line. As teams rethink their plans, the 2024 season promises to be a fascinating duel of tactics and talent.
3DownNation, a dedicated outlet for CFL and Canadian football coverage, broke the news.
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