Edmonton Elks sign Super Bowl champ B.J. Thompson after release from Stampeders

Photo courtesy: BJ Thompson on Instagram

The Edmonton Elks have signed American defensive lineman Brandon ‘B.J.’ Thompson II to their training camp roster.

The six-foot-six, 244-pound pass rusher ended last season on the practice roster of the Calgary Stampeders and was brought back for training camp, only to be released as part of mandatory roster cutdowns on May 13.

Thompson was a fifth-round selection by the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2023 NFL Draft and played one game as a rookie, recording two tackles. He was on the roster when the Chiefs won Super Bowl LVIII.

The native of England, Ark., suffered a seizure during a special teams meeting on June 6, 2024, and went into cardiac arrest. He was taken to the hospital and made a full recovery, finishing the year on the non-football injury list before being waived in May 2025.

Thompson played his final three collegiate seasons at Stephen F. Austin University. In 33 games for the Lumberjacks, he recorded 79 tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, five forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries and one interception. He transferred after two years at Baylor University, where he posted 18 tackles, six tackles for loss, four sacks and three blocked kicks in 19 games.

In a corresponding move, the Elks released American receiver Ife Adeyi.

Adeyi played collegiately at Sam Houston State, where he made 164 receptions for 2,312 yards and 19 touchdowns over 54 games. The five-foot-ten, 175-pound native of Mansfield, Tex., signed with the Philadelphia Eagles after going unselected in the 2025 NFL Draft, though he was released at the conclusion of training camp.

The Edmonton Elks opened training camp on May 10. Edmonton will play its first preseason game against the B.C. Lions on Saturday, May 23, and their second preseason game against the Calgary Stampeders on Friday, May 29. Final roster cuts are due on Saturday, May 30, after which the team will play its first regular-season game against the Ottawa Redblacks on Saturday, June 6.

Calgary recently selected Rutgers linebacker Dariel Djabome with their first-round pick in the 2026 CFL Draft, adding a key piece to pair with fellow Canadian linebacker Joel Dublanko. The team’s other major offseason additions include receiver Austin Mack, offensive lineman Coulter Woodmansey, and defensive lineman Malik Carney.

In 2025, the Elks finished fifth in the West Division standings with a 7-11 record, missing the playoffs for the fifth straight season.