McFadden thrilled as Amos and Priester reunite

McFadden praises – Tarvarus McFadden says the Argonauts’ defensive group feels whole again after DaShaun Amos and Robert Priester rejoined Toronto for the 2026 season, calling their on-field communication—and off-field friendship—just as valuable as production.

GUELPH, Ont. — Tarvarus McFadden didn’t have to search for the right words Tuesday at Alumni Stadium. You could hear it in the tone as he talked about familiar faces returning to the same defensive unit.

DaShaun Amos and Robert Priester are back with the Argonauts after both spent the 2025 season elsewhere — Amos with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and Priester with the Ottawa Redblacks. It’s a reunion that goes beyond simple roster movement. In 2022 and ’24, McFadden, Amos and Priester all helped Toronto win Grey Cup championships.

“It’s great that we have those guys back,” McFadden said following practice. “We communicate, we know where the others are going to be at certain times on the field and during certain plays.”

For McFadden, the connection isn’t limited to game plans or timing routes. He pointed to the friendship that has carried over into the way the group operates when the pads go on.

“Our chemistry off the field is as important as it is on the field,” McFadden said. “Being friends and doing things together outside of football has just been great also.”

Amos arrives as a decorated veteran. Listed at six-foot and 185 pounds, he is a three-time Grey Cup champion. Last season with Hamilton (11-7), Amos recorded 45 tackles and four interceptions. The Tiger-Cats topped the East standings before falling 19-16 to Montreal in the division final at Hamilton Stadium.

Priester’s return brings another familiar presence in the secondary. At five-foot-eight and 180 pounds. the 2025 season saw him appear in 15 regular-season games with Ottawa (4-14). as the Redblacks missed the CFL playoffs. Priester posted 27 tackles, three special-teams tackles, two interceptions and a forced fumble.

McFadden comes into the reunion having earned recognition for his own 2025 campaign. Listed at six-foot-two and 198 pounds, he was a Divisional All-CFL team selection after posting career highs in tackles (43) and interceptions (six), with the six interceptions leaving him tied for the league lead.

But Toronto’s overall season was a struggle. The Argos finished 5-13 and missed the CFL playoffs. with their defence allowing the most offensive touchdowns (54). offensive points per game (28.8). passing TDs (35). yards per play (7.07) and 30-plus yard catches (39) while ranking eighth against the run (105.7 yards per game).

The numbers weren’t all bleak. Toronto was tied with Calgary for most defensive return TDs (five) and ranked fourth in sacks (41). Still, opposing offences drove touchdowns at a league-high 22.6 per cent of time.

Part of the hope in camp is that the return of experienced defensive voices can tighten the unit’s feel in real-time. McFadden described how having veterans like Amos and Priester on the same page gives cornerbacks more certainty about where the halfbacks will be. letting them focus on their assignments.

“It allows McFadden and Co. to concentrate fully on their jobs,” the Argos’ internal logic is built around knowing roles will be covered.

Toronto’s defensive staffing also adds new structure and coaching experience around that core. Returning to Toronto is linebacker Adarius Pickett. who was the East Division’s outstanding defensive player in ’23 while with the Argos before heading to Ottawa. He joins Canadian linebacker Cameron Judge. who last year posted a team-high 83 tackles (79 defensive. four special teams). three sacks. two interceptions. two forced fumbles and a TD.

Head coach Mike Miller framed Amos and Priester’s return as the kind of veteran value that can’t be measured only by stats.

“It’s almost immeasurable how much it means,” Miller said. “We talk about being accountable, discipline, respect, trust and passion and they’re all of those and then some.”

Miller added that both veterans are physical players and strong communicators, emphasizing not only what they do on the field but how they handle adjustments in-play, and how they communicate on the sidelines.

“They’re both very physical football players, great communicators (and) understand the defence but more so the adjustments you must make in-play and then on the sidelines and the way they communicate. Extremely valuable and we’re extremely blessed to have them.”

He also stressed what that leadership looks like day to day for the younger group.

“Miller added both veterans also embrace being a mentor to younger players.”

“The thing they do, and what we ask of our veteran leaders, is they’re bringing guys with them,” Miller said. “You can see it with the young guys that are working with them, the other rookies and guys from the U.S. as they continue to learn the Canadian game.”

“They’re kind of like captains, extra assistants out there. When they come to the sideline, it’s just the way how we want to go about our business, being professional and having that diligence.”

Toronto’s defensive coaching group brings its own familiar football knowledge. Greg Quick is in his first season as Toronto’s defensive co-ordinator after two previous stints as its linebacker coach (2010-11. 2018). Former CFL defensive back Jovon Johnson. the league’s top defensive player in 2011 with Winnipeg. is in his first year as Toronto’s secondary coach.

McFadden said Johnson’s recent arrival matters because the feedback comes from someone who has played the game at this level.

“It helps a lot,” said McFadden, who played collegiately at Florida State. “He has seen the game and knows how to coach us as far as technique and what we see on the field in regards to offensive formations and reading routes.”

Hope is always part of training camp. What’s different for McFadden this time is that the feeling comes with a specific stamp: the band is back together, and it’s happening with people he’s already won with.

“We’re getting better day by day, improving our chemistry on and off the field,” he said. “I feel like this is going to be one year to remember.”

MISRYOUM Sports News CFL Toronto Argonauts Tarvarus McFadden DaShaun Amos Robert Priester Hamilton Tiger-Cats Ottawa Redblacks Mike Miller Jovon Johnson Greg Quick