As expected, the Toronto Argonauts are running it back with Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson in 2022. The Argos will announce this week the re-signing of McLeod Bethel Thompson just days before the start of free agency in the CFL. Per sources, Thompson is signing a one-year deal to stay on with Toronto.

• Update: On late Monday afternoon, the Toronto Argonauts made the re-signing of McLeod Bethel-Thompson official, with this press release.

ARGOS BRING BACK 2021 EAST ALL-STAR QB BETHEL-THOMPSON

TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club announced today they have re-signed American QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson.

“There are hundreds of reasons to sign back…unfinished business, a commitment to excellence from the organization, an opportunity to deepen the bonds of brotherhood,” said Argos QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson. “At the end of the day, it comes down to one: (Argos GM) Michael “Pinball” Clemons. He epitomizes championship DNA. Last year we established a standard of winning and this year is about raising it to the “Pinball” level.”

McLeod Bethel-Thompson on the reason he re-signed with the Argonauts.

Bethel-Thompson suited up for 14 games in 2021, starting nine, while going 203-for-306 for 2,303 yards and 12 touchdowns on route to his first divisional all-star nod. The 2019 CFL passing touchdown leader (26) was 7-2 as a starter and helped guide the Argos to nine wins in 2021 and first place in the East for the first time since 2017. The California native and four-year Argo became the seventh-leading passer in Boatmen history last season and was Toronto’s team nominee for Most Outstanding Player. M-B-T joined the Argos in 2017, learning under the great Ricky Ray while winning a Grey Cup that same year, and has thrown for more than 8,500 yards and 47 touchdowns in his career. The Sacramento State product made seven NFL stops between 2011-2016 including time spent in San Francisco (three times), Miami (twice), Minnesota, and Philadelphia.

Toronto Argonauts Re-Sign QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson

The enigmatic veteran pivot, Bethel-Thompson, is coming off his two most successful seasons in the Canadian Football League. In 2019, MBT led the league in passing majors. A year ago, Bethel-Thompson returned to the Double Blue and helped lead Toronto to an eastern division crown, and a trip to the East Final.

The soon-to-be 34-year-old Bethel-Thompson, in July, started nine games last season and produced a 7-2 record for Toronto. MBT completed 66 percent of his passes for 2,303 yards with 12 touchdowns and 11 interceptions while also rushing for 71 yards.

The California native, Bethel-Thompson, has had quite the journey in his pro-playing career. He’s made nine NFL stops with five different teams. Playing for the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, the Minnesota Vikings, New England Patriots, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Thompson has also played in the Spring League, the Arena Football League, and the United Football League. However, his best success has come in Canada.

Bethel-Thompson first journeyed into the CFL on the Winnipeg Blue Bombers‘ practice roster in 2016, before hopping on the Boatmen’s ship back in 2017. Thompson was a part of Toronto’s 17th Grey Cup championship team backing up the legendary Rick Ray.

This will be McLeod’s fifth season with the Argos, but the first where he is coming in as presumably the team’s unquestioned starter. With Thompson back in the fold, the Argos now have four quarterbacks under contract for the 2022 season. MBT, Antonio Pipkin, Cole McDonald, and the recently signed Austin Simmons.

Thompson won over rookie head coach Ryan Dinwiddie in 2021. So much so that Dinwiddie’s former pupil from Calgary and presumed long-term starter Nick Arbuckle was traded away to Edmonton late last year. It’s possible that GM Michael Pinball Clemons and his staff could decide to bring another veteran through free agency as insurance for Thompson. Or another young developmental arm for the future. But for 2022, the starting position is Thompson’s to lose.

Toronto Argonauts Updated Transactions

MBT was the most significant pending free agent on the Argos. In recent weeks, the Boatmen have brought back into the fold key players like LB Henoc Muamba, K/P Boris Bede, and WR DaVaris Daniels. In total, Toronto has extended and re-signed 14 players while also signing eight new players to their roster.

After the team’s most recent moves, the Argos still have 17 pending free agents. Most notably, starting players like WR’s Juwan Brescasin, and Ricky Collins. As well as RB John White, LB Cameron Judge, and DL Cordarro Law.

The legal tampering window before CFL free agency starts on February 8th has begun. And there are already reports that the Argos are making a strong play for star pass rusher Ja’Gared Davis. If the Argos can sign Davis away from division rival Hamilton. Not only would Davis give the Argos a proven pass rusher, but he would be reuniting with an ally in former Stampeders player and assistant coach Corey Mace, who is now Toronto’s defensive coordinator.

Argonauts 2022 Offseason Tracker

2022 FREE AGENTS

Any player not listed above and on the Argos active roster (HERE) is under contract for the 2022 season.

Additions/Re-signings/Releases