The Edmonton Elks have signed American quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson. His deal is reportedly for one year and could reach up to $500,000 with incentives.
The two-time Grey Cup winner joins the Green and Gold after spending the 2023 season with the New Orleans Breakers in the United States Football League. Bethel-Thompson led the league in passing yards with 2,433 in 10 games while recording 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions, leading New Orleans to a 7-3 record.
Bethel-Thompson led the CFL in passing yards in 2022 with the Toronto Argonauts, 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 35-year-old spent five seasons with Toronto from 2017 to 2022, throwing for a combined 13,261 yards with 70 passing touchdowns and 49 interceptions in 74 games. He was named an East Division all-star in 2021 and 2022 while leading the three-down league in touchdown passes in 2019.
Bethel-Thompson 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.
Edmonton finished last season with a 4-14 record. The Elks open the team’s 75th anniversary season on Saturday, June 8 by hosting the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
