By Canadian Press

Breaks release veteran quarterback Bethel-Thompson

Jul 12, 2023 | 9:10 AM

McLeod Bethel-Thompson is on the lookout for a new team.

The USFL’s New Orleans Breakers have released Bethel-Thompson after one season. The 35-year-old American appeared in 10 games with the club, leading it to a 7-3 record while passing for 2,433 yards and 14 touchdowns.

The move would allow Bethel-Thompson to return to the CFL. He was the league’s leading passer last year (4,731 yards) and helped the Toronto Argonauts win the Grey Cup.

But a source with knowledge of the situation requesting anonymity told The Canadian Press on Monday that Bethel-Thompson’s return to Canada was not imminent.

Bethel-Thompson signed with the Breakers in the off-season, citing a desire to play closer to his wife and their young daughter. Also, the USFL season ended July 1, giving its players time to audition for NFL teams prior to the start of training camps.

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Upon deciding to play for the Breakers, Bethel-Thompson also stated his football journey would then “continue with considerable NFL interest in the fall.”

On Monday, the source said the Ottawa Redblacks had reached out to Bethel-Thompson. The CFL club lost veteran Jeremiah Masoli to a season-ending Achilles tendon injury in a 21-13 road loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Saturday night.

The source added Ottawa wasn’t the only CFL club to inquire abut Bethel-Thompson but wouldn’t disclose the other teams.

Bethel-Thompson played five seasons with Toronto (2017-22, CFL didn’t play in 2020 due to global pandemic). He was part of two Grey Cup-winning teams, serving as Ricky Ray’s backup in 2017 when the  Argos defeated Calgary 27-24..

Bethel-Thompson appeared in 74 career CFL regular-season games. He completed 1,125 of 1,683 passes (66.8 per cent)for 13,261 yards with 70 touchdowns, with 49 interceptions while rushing 93 times for 513 yards (5.5-yard average) and two TDs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 12, 2023.

The Canadian Press