For Chad Kelly, the road back to being able to play has required patience.

After being sidelined for the 2025 season while recovering from leg surgery, the Toronto Argonauts quarterback will head into training camp looking to put it all behind him.

“I’m feeling really good,” Kelly said during a press conference Thursday. “To finally be fully healed in January was a big step forward mentally. Now it’s about building the tank and getting ready for a long season. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon.”

Kelly was hurt during the 2024 East Final and required surgery for a fractured right tibia and fibula. Kelly did not play a single snap in 2025.

When asked if his leg is back to being 100 per cent, Kelly declined to comment.

New head coach Mike Miller threw his support behind the 32-year-old as his starting quarterback.

Not only will Kelly need to get himself physically ready for what the season brings, but also the mental challenge of getting back to playing at the level that made him the CFL’s Most Outstanding Player in 2023.

“Let the game come to you. Take what the defence gives you,” Kelly said about his approach. “I know what I can and can’t do, and getting the ball into our playmakers’ hands makes my job easier.”

Kelly’s return also comes at a time of transition for the Argonauts. With a new coaching staff in place and a challenging schedule ahead — particularly with extended time away from home early in the season — the team will be tested quickly.

Despite those challenges, the Argos remain optimistic about their chances. Kelly noted that Miller’s desire to listen to players and value their input has helped create a stronger sense of unity.

“There’s a lot of excitement,” the QB said. “We’ve got a coaching staff that understands the game from all angles and really communicates with us. That goes a long way.”

Like most CFL teams, Toronto went through the challenge of trying to keep its roster intact, but on offence, a majority of the playmakers will return.

While there is optimism about the Argos’ game plan and preparation for the season, the team knows the schedule will require it to adapt.

From travel routines to maintaining consistency in preparation, the adjustment will require discipline.

“We have to make away games feel like home games,” he said. “There are a lot of things people don’t think about, but it’s about staying together and staying focused.”