Nearly a year after his victory in the 109th Grey Cup, former Toronto Argonauts quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson is eyeing a return to the CFL.
According to a report from Sportsnet’s Arash Madani: “Per sources: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson is planning a return to the CFL in 2024. Hearing reps for Bethel-Thompson, who led the Argos to the Grey Cup title last year, are in Hamilton this week to discuss opportunities. In a league needing better QBs, here’s another starter.”
Bethel-Thompson elected not to return to the CFL following the 2022 season, citing his desire to be closer to his young family. He signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL, leading the league in passing yards this past season, completing 65.5 percent of his passes for 2,433 yards, 14 touchdowns, and eight interceptions.
The Breakers went 7-3 in the regular season but lost in the first round of the playoffs to the Birmingham Stallions. Their 35-year-old quarterback requested and received his release from the team in July and is currently a free agent.
Bethel-Thompson led the CFL in passing yards in 2022, completing 66.8 percent of his passes for 4,731 yards, 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He helped Toronto win the 109th Grey Cup but exited the game in the fourth quarter after suffering a dislocated thumb.
The six-foot-four, 220-pound passer played 74 games over five seasons with the Argonauts, throwing for 13,261 yards, 70 touchdowns, and 49 interceptions. He was named an East Division all-star in 2021 and 2022 and led the league in touchdown passes in 2019.
The native of San Francisco, Calif. went unselected in the 2011 NFL Draft but spent time with a number of teams in the league, including the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, and Philadelphia Eagles. He did not dress for any regular-season NFL games.
