The Edmonton Elks announced Tuesday they traded the rights of QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson to the Montreal Alouettes for the rights of QB Cody Fajardo.

A difference a year makes for MBT

It was quite a year for the 2022 Grey Cup champion, who came to the Elks last off-season as a highly-touted free agent signee and the QB1 on the team’s depth chart for most of the 2024 season. 

Thompson threw for 3,748 yards and 24 touchdowns and a record of 3-10 as a starter for the green and gold. Thompson is scheduled to be a free agent in this offseason.

What to expect from Fajardo

Like MBT, Fajardo has had a tough year compared to his ultimate high thirteen months prior, when he led Montreal to a Grey Cup win in Hamilton in November 2023.

This past season saw a downturn for the former Grey Cup MVP as he battled injuries before relinquishing his starting quarterback role to Davis Alexander after the latter was re-signed to a contract following the season. Fajardo threw for 3,105 yards and 15 touchdowns and had a win-loss record 7-5-1 in 14 appearances.

Nothing is set in stone, but there’s a possibility for Fajardo is to challenge Tre Ford for the starting quarterback role.