According to sources, the Edmonton Elks are attempting to sign veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson.
Several teams are interested in Bethel-Thompson’s services. Jarious Jackson, offensive coordinator and quarterback coach, and Markus Howell, run game coordinator and receivers coach, were both with him for one season in Toronto (2021).
Edmonton has signed young Canadian quarterback Tre Ford for the 2024 season, which is the final year of his rookie deal. The Elks, on the other hand, desire a more experienced starter heading into a season in which the present leadership, led by Chris Jones, understands they must win to keep their jobs.
As much as Ford wants to play and has showed interesting potential, the dual-threat National may benefit from learning from a Grey Cup-winning pivot in the long run. Bethel-Thompson could educate him the ins and outs of being a franchise quarterback, as well as how to prepare for games from an experienced standpoint.
The 35-year-old chose not to return to the CFL after the 2022 season in order to be closer to his family. He joined with the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League, where he led the league in passing yards last season, completing 65.5 percent of his tosses for 2,433 yards, 14 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
The Breakers finished the regular season 7-3 but were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Birmingham Stallions. He requested and was granted his release from the team in July, and he is now a free agent. His plan was to focus on getting a chance with an NFL team, but that did not work out.
In 2022, Bethel-Thompson led the CFL in passing yards, completing 66.8% of his throws for 4,731 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He played in Toronto’s 109th Grey Cup victory, however he left the game in the fourth quarter due to a dislocated thumb.
The six-foot-four, 225-pound quarterback appeared in 74 games for the Argonauts over five seasons, throwing for 13,261 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 49 interceptions. In 2021 and 2022, he was selected an East Division all-star, and in 2019, he led the CFL in touchdown passes.
The San Francisco native was undrafted in the 2011 NFL Draft but spent time with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles. Despite not appearing in any regular-season NFL games, he earned approximately $800,000 USD.
Bethel-Thompson earned $400,000 CAD with the Argonauts in 2022.
Since Jones’ return to the franchise in 2022, Edmonton has gone 8-28, with a 4-14 record last season. On Saturday, June 8, the Elks will kick off their 75th anniversary season against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
