The Edmonton Elks are releasing quarterback Taylor Cornelius, according to a report from TSN’s Farhan Lalji.
The 28-year-old signal caller was due a $100,000 offseason bonus on January 15 which is now off the books. The Elks will still owe him $100,000 in guaranteed salary for the 2024 season due to the terms of the contract extension he signed during the 2022 season.
Cornelius started seven of the first eight games of the 2023 season in Edmonton before losing his job to Canadian Tre Ford. He finished the season 103-of-175 passing for 1,305 yards, five touchdowns and nine interceptions while carrying the ball 61 times for 256 yards and eight majors.
The Oklahoma State product first joined the Elks in 2021 following a stint in the XFL, replacing injured starter Trevor Harris and eventually taking over the top job. Following a coaching change, he began the 2022 season as the fourth-stringer before being forced back into action by injury, earning a long-term contract extension as the team’s starter that September. That deal was one of the first in the CFL to include guaranteed money following the passage of a new collective bargaining agreement.
In 44 career CFL games, Cornelius has made 27 starts and thrown for 5,868 yards, 25 touchdowns and 31 interceptions. He has also rushed 153 times for 907 yards and 16 scores.
Edmonton head coach and general manager Chris Jones said following the season that Tre Ford would be the team’s starter to begin the 2024 season. However, the organization is reportedly in talks to sign former Toronto Argonauts’ quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson.
The Elks open the team’s 75th anniversary season on Saturday, June 8 by hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
