Former Toronto Argonauts QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson Eyes CFL Return in 2024
Former Toronto Argonauts quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson is looking to return to the CFL for the 2024 season, sources told reporter Arash Madani.
Madani added that representatives for Bethel-Thompson are in Hamilton this week to “discuss opportunities” in the CFL.
Bethel-Thompson played in the CFL for five seasons from 2017 through 2022. He spent all five seasons with the Argonauts earning two CFL East All-Star selections and winning two Grey Cups with Toronto in 2017 and 2022.
His career stats include 13,261 yards with 70 touchdown passes and two rushing touchdowns. He led the CFL in passing touchdowns in 2019 and led the league in passing yards in 2022.
Per sources: QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson is planning a return to the CFL in 2024.
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) November 16, 2023
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. pic.twitter.com/jej6HdEYDT
Fans were surprised when he made the decision to head south to play for the United States Football League, joining the New Orleans Breakers for the 2023 season. He cited that being closer to home as the reason for the move to the USFL.
Bethel-Thompson finished the USFL season as their leading passer with 2,433 yards, with 14 touchdowns to eight interceptions. The Breakers went 7-3 with a playoff loss to the eventual USFL champion Birmingham Stallions.
There should be plenty of interest from CFL teams as they will come calling for Bethel-Thompson. Some of the teams that could be in the conversation include the Hamilton Tigers-Cats, Calgary Stampeders, Ottawa Redblacks and Saskatchewan Roughriders.
Regardless of where Bethel-Thompson could potentially land, he will be a top free agent in the CFL this offseason and could be in for a big payday. The question will be whether he indeed pulls the trigger on moving back to Canada or stays in the USFL or fights for a NFL roster spot.
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Anthony Miller has been covering professional spring football since 2019 including XFL, USFL, and CFL. He was a local news reporter in Texas before transitioning to sports. Other sites he writes for includes College Football Network and NTZ Network.