Toronto Argonauts: 10 takeaways from the 2022 schedule

The release of the Toronto Argonauts’ schedule for the 2022 season brings up a lot of talking points, not all of which are positive.

Last Thursday was an exciting day for Toronto Argonauts fans, as it saw the release of the CFL schedule for the 2022 season. Adding to the excitement was the return to a full 18-game regular season slate.

The schedule has an intriguing layout, which raises several questions. Here are 10 takeaways from what the Argos have to look ahead to next year:

1. The Argonauts will open the season with a bye in Week 1. While acknowledging that someone has to have the time off with an odd number of teams, it does take away somewhat from the excitement usually associated with the start of the regular season.

2. Still on the subject of byes, the Double Blue’s other two come in Weeks 5 and 15. Considering that wear and tear/injuries build up as a season progresses, having two early byes don’t provide as much benefit.

3. On the flip side, as per argonauts.ca, Toronto will have six days or more of rest in 17 of their 18 regular season games, which is most in the CFL. Of these, eight games will feature eight+ days of rest.

4. The Argos will open their season at home to the Montreal Alouettes in their one Thursday night contest of the 2022 campaign. Of the remaining games at BMO Field, four will be on a Saturday, with one each on a Monday, Friday and Sunday.

5. Toronto’s other home game in Week 6 against Saskatchewan, will actually be held on a neutral site. (More details about the game on July 16 will come in the new year.) As per argonauts.ca, the team has previously played five neutral site games dating back to 2005.

6. The Argonauts will once again travel to Hamilton to play the Labour Day Classic versus the Tiger-Cats. This will be the 51st time the long-standing rivalry has taken place on this public holiday.

7. Sticking with the rivalry between the Argos and Ti-Cats, the two sides will meet four times in 2022. What isn’t so good is that all four games will take place in a month, between Aug. 6 and the Labour Day Classic on Sept. 5.

8. In another interesting quirk, seven of the Double Blue’s first 10 games of the 2022 season will be at home (including the neutral site contest). As such, six of their final eight games will be on the road during a stretch which will include no fixtures at BMO Field in September.

9. The Argonauts will get to measure themselves up against the best in Week 4, when they host the two-time defending Grey Cup champion Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Toronto were the one team to beat Winnipeg in a game which mattered this past season, winning 30-23 at BMO Field in Week 3.

10. Including the Blue Bombers, the Argos will play eight games in total against the West Division (twice each against the Stampeders, Lions and Roughriders, along with once against the Elks). The remainder of their 2022 schedule will see them face both the Alouettes and RedBlacks three times.

What is your overall opinion of the Toronto Argonauts’ schedule for next season? Are you happy with it, neutral, or not impressed? Let us know in the comments section below.