The Edmonton Elks signed quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson on Friday according to TSN’s Farhan Lalji. The deal is reportedly for one year and could reach up to $500,000 with incentives.
McLeod Bethel-Thompson is six foot four and weighs 220 pounds. The 35-year-old from San Francisco, California, led the USFL completing 220 of 336 passes (65.5%) for 2,433 yards, 14 touchdowns, eight interceptions, and 17 carries for 45 yards helping the Breakers reach the South Division Championship game against the Birmingham Stallions. He was released by the Breakers on July 11, 2023, and is rumored to be returning to the CFL.
Last year, he was the CFL passing leader, completing 387 of 579 passes (66.8%) for 4,731 yards, 23 touchdowns, 15 interceptions, and 35 carries for 166 yards in 18 games in Toronto in 2022. He led Toronto to its 18th Grey Cup championship in history with a thrilling 24-23 win over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
Thompson played five seasons in the CFL all with Toronto. He completed 1,125 of 1,683 passes (66.8%) for 13,261 yards, 70 touchdowns, 49 interceptions, 93 carries for 513 yards, and two touchdowns in 74 games.
He won his first Grey Cup title as a backup in 2017 when Toronto beat Calgary 27-24 in the 105th Grey Cup. It was the final game for CFL Hall of Famer Ricky Ray. In addition, Thompson is a two-time CFL East All-Star (2021-22) and was the CFL passing touchdowns leader (26) in 2019.
Before joining the CFL, Thompson was a journeyman quarterback having stints with the 49ers, Dolphins, Vikings, Patriots, and Eagles. Furthermore, he played for the San Jose SaberCats (AFL), Sacramento Mountain Lions (UFL) in 2011, and the Aviators (TSL) in 2020. In 2016, Thompson signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and was placed on their practice squad but was released.
Collegiately, Thompson began at UCLA in 2007. He completed 23 of 55 passes (41.8%) for 293 yards, one touchdown, five interceptions, and 15 carries for -32 yards in five games for the Bruins.
Afterward, Thompson transferred to Sacramento State (2008-10) completing 113 of 197 passes (57.4%) for 1,322 yards, seven touchdowns, eight interceptions, 47 carries for 29 yards, and two touchdowns in 12 games for the Hornets.
