Report: Elks agree to 1-year deal with Bethel-Thompson

Former Toronto Argonauts quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson and the Edmonton Elks agreed to a one-year deal, according to Farhan Lalji of TSN.

The deal could see Bethel-Thompson make up to $500,000 including incentives.

Bethel-Thompson opted not to return to the CFL following the 2022 season, wanting to be closer to family in the United States. He spent last year with the New Orleans Breakers of the USFL and threw for 2,433 yards with 14 touchdowns and eight interceptions.

The 35-year-old led the Argonauts to the Grey Cup in 2022 but was forced to exit the contest in the fourth quarter due to a thumb injury. He finished the season with 23 touchdowns and a league-leading 4,731 passing yards.

Bethel-Thompson will be the Elks' starting quarterback in Edmonton due to the sizeable contract, per Lalji. Edmonton released Taylor Cornelius on Thursday, leaving Tre Ford and Jarret Doege on the roster.

Ford, a Niagara Falls native, won the starting job last year. He played in 16 games, totaling 2,691 yards with 15 touchdowns. The Elks finished last in the West division with a 4-14 record.

Bethel-Thompson spent five seasons with the Argonauts dating back to 2017. He threw for 13,261 yards with 70 touchdowns and 49 interceptions in 74 career contests.