The Edmonton Elks are trying to sign veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, per sources.
There are multiple teams interested in Bethel-Thompson’s services. The Elks have familiarity on their side because offensive coordinator and quarterback coach Jarious Jackson and run game coordinator and receivers coach Markus Howell were with him for one season in Toronto (2021).
Edmonton has exciting Canadian QB Tre Ford under contract for the 2024 season, which is the final year of his rookie agreement. However, the Elks want a more experienced starter going into a year in which the current regime led by Chris Jones knows they need to win to keep their jobs.
As much as Ford wants to play and has shown intriguing potential, learning from a Grey Cup-winning pivot could benefit the dual-threat National in the long run. Bethel-Thompson could teach him the ins and outs of being a franchise quarterback and how to prepare for games from a proven perspective.
The 35-year-old elected not to return to the CFL following the 2022 season, citing his desire to be closer to his family. He signed with the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League, leading the USFL in passing yards this past season, completing 65.5 percent of his throws for 2,433 yards with 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. He requested and received his release from the team in July and is currently a free agent. His idea was to focus on earning an opportunity with an NFL team, but that did not come to fruition.
Bethel-Thompson led the CFL in passing yards in 2022, completing 66.8 percent of his passes for 4,731 yards with 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 with 70 touchdowns and 49 interceptions. He was named an East Division all-star in 2021 and 2022 while leading the CFL in touchdown passes in 2019.
The native of San Francisco, Calif. went unselected in the 2011 NFL Draft but spent time with several teams, 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, but still earned nearly $800,000 USD.
During the 2022 season, Bethel-Thompson made $400,000 CAD with the Argonauts.
Edmonton has gone 8-28 since Jones returned to the team in 2022, including a 4-14 finish last season. The Elks open the team’s 75th anniversary season on Saturday, June 8 by hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
