Toronto Argonauts quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson has opted out of his CFL contract, which would have expired in February 2021.
NFL Network reporter Ian Rapoport had the news first: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, who led the CFL in most passing categories last year for the Toronto Argos, is opting out and hopes to be back in the NFL, source said. An intriguing veteran who can learn a system quickly, now has plenty of snaps.
The San Francisco, California native’s third season in double blue was the best of his career. He led the CFL with 26 touchdown passes and was third in the league with 4,024 passing yards during the 2019 season.
The 32-year-old Bethel-Thompson had nine games where he passed for 300 or more yards, despite getting just 13 starts, in 10 of those games he threw for multiple touchdowns. The Sacramento State University product also had a pair of games where he passed for over 400 yards last year.
The six-foot-four, 220-pound passer has played 42 CFL games passing for 6,227 yards with a 67 percent completion rate and 35 touchdowns versus 23 picks through three seasons in Canada. He has rushed 48 times for 276 yards and two touchdowns, including a 5.8 yards per carry average. Bethel-Thompson worked with Marc Trestman who has many connections in the NFL.
Prior to joining the Argos in April 2017, Bethel-Thompson bounced around the NFL. He had stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles. However, he’s never played in a regular season NFL game.
Bethel-Thompson is hoping CFL experience adds up to another NFL chance.
