Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson is planning a return to the league where he made a name for himself.
According to Sportsnet's Arash Madani, the 35-year-old signal-caller is planning a return to the CFL in 2024. In a league where good quarterback play is at a premium, his services are expected to be highly coveted.
Bethel-Thompson played five seasons with the Toronto Argonauts (2017-22), winning Grey Cups in his first and final seasons with the CFL club. His first championship came as a backup to veteran Ricky Ray.
The six-foot-four, 220-pound Bethel-Thompson threw for a CFL- and career-high 4,731 yards with 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions in 2022. He led Toronto (11-7) to first place in the East Division for a second straight season before completing 19-of-27 passes for 299 yards and two TDs in the Argos' 34-27 conference final victory over the Montreal Alouettes.
That earned Toronto a Grey Cup berth against heavily favoured Winnipeg. Bethel-Thompson was 15-of-28 passing for 203 yards before suffering a dislocated right thumb late in the fourth quarter. That's when Toronto's current starter Chad Kelly took over and led the Argonauts to a stunning 24-23 victory.
In the off-season, Bethel-Thompson opted to sign with the USFL's New Orleans Breakers, citing a desire to play closer to his family. The move wasn't surprising as after the Grey Cup game, Bethel-Thompson spoke candidly about the difficulties of being away from his wife and young daughter during the CFL season.
He appeared in 10 games with the Breakers, leading them to a 7-3 record while passing for 2,433 yards and 14 touchdowns.
Bethel-Thompson has appeared in 74 career CFL regular-season games. He has completed 1,125 of 1,683 passes (66.8 per cent) for 13,261 yards with 70 touchdowns and 49 interceptions while rushing 93 times for 513 yards (5.5-yard average) and two TDs.
— With files from the Canadian Press
