Joe Eppele will continue to man the offensive line for the Toronto Argonauts through the 2014 CFL season after signing a two-year extension with the Grey Cup champions.

The Argos announced on Monday (Dec. 31) that Eppele had avoided free agency and will get a chance to help Toronto begin its defence of the Grey Cup next year.

Eppele said he’s pleased to continue his run in Argo blue.

“I wanted to extend my time in Toronto because I love this city and even the locker room feels like home,” he told the Argos website. “My teammates are like family and I believe that winning the 100th Grey Cup with them was just the beginning of more great things to come. I believe this is the best decision for me both on and off the field.”

The Brackendale native was selected second overall in the 2010 CFL Canadian Draft after playing college football at Washington State. He played in all 18 games this season, starting eight of them and also starting in all three Argos playoff games this fall.

“Joe is a young, talented player who stepped in during the playoffs and did a very good job for our team,” said Argos general manager Jim Barker. “He continues to develop his skills and has made great strides towards becoming the player we believed he'd eventually become when we drafted him in the first round.”

For more information on Eppele and the Argos, visit www.argonauts.ca.