Bo Levi Mitchell has signed a three-year contract extension with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats, per source, tying him to Steeltown through 2025.
The Ticats traded for Mitchell’s exclusive negotiating rights from the Calgary Stampeders following the 2022 season. Calgary received Hamilton’s first, third, and sixth-round picks in the 2023 CFL Draft as well as a second-round pick in 2024. In addition to Mitchell’s rights, Hamilton received Calgary’s first-round pick in 2023 and third-round pick in 2024.
Mitchell made it clear that he intended to test free agency after Jake Maier, who replaced him as the team’s starting quarterback this past August, signed a contract extension to remain with the Stampeders through 2024. The veteran passer completed 61.3 percent of his passes this past season for 2,010 yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions, going 6-3 as a starter.
The Ticats hosted Mitchell and his wife, Madison, for a visit in December to show them the team’s facilities as well as other amenities around the city. Head coach and president of football operations Orlondo Steinauer expressed hope that the visit gave Mitchell an idea of how it would feel not only to play for the club but how he and his young family could flourish in Steeltown.
“I am excited and honoured for the opportunity to help deliver a championship to the incredible fans in Hamilton,” said Mitchell in a statement. “This is an excellent organization that goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone has what they need to be successful and I have the utmost faith in Coach O, his staff and all the elite players on the roster. I look forward to earning my place in the locker room and being a part of something that I believe can be very special. I can’t wait to get to work.”
The two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player entered the game late in Calgary’s regular season finale this past season against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. He received a standing ovation from the fans in Calgary in his final farewell as a member of the Stamps at McMahon Stadium.
He took the field again in the West Semi-Final in relief of Maier with his team trailing 20-6 in the fourth quarter. He engineered an 81-yard drive that ended in a 24-yard field goal by Rene Paredes and drove team 71 yards on its next possession, resulting in a one-yard touchdown run by Tommy Stevens.
Mitchell said goodbye to Calgary in an Instagram post the day after the team was eliminated from the postseason, thanking fans and his teammates for all of their support. He spoke glowingly about the organization long after being benched in favour of Maier and is interested in working with head coach Dave Dickenson again in the future.
“Bo Levi has an incredible record of achievements in the Canadian Football League and is a proven champion,” said Steinauer. “Throughout the process, it became clear that Bo, both as a person and as a player, would be an excellent fit for our organization and we are excited to welcome Bo Levi, Madison, and their two children to the city of Hamilton and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club.”
The six-foot-two, 200-pound passer was plagued by a shoulder injury throughout the 2021 season, which contributed to him throwing for 2,594 yards, 10 touchdowns, and 13 interceptions. He believes his shoulder has since fully healed.
The Eastern Washington product signed with the Stampeders fresh out of college in 2012 and became the club’s full-time starter two years later. He became Calgary’s all-time leading passer in 2022 and has thrown for 32,541 yards, 188 touchdowns, and 89 interceptions over his 10-year career.
3DownNation had Hamilton as the top-ranked potential destination for Mitchell in 2023.
