By Canadian Press

Alouettes trade Grey Cup MVP Fajardo to Elks for rights to Bethel-Thompson in QB swap

Dec 17, 2024 | 3:46 PM

Veteran quarterbacks Cody Fajardo and McLeod Bethel-Thompson are on the move again.

The Edmonton Elks acquired Fajardo — the 2023 Grey Cup MVP — from the Montreal Alouettes on Tuesday for the rights to Bethel-Thompson, a two-time CFL champion.

Bethel-Thompson completed his first season in Alberta but is slated to become a free agent Feb. 11.

That means Montreal will have until then to negotiate exclusively with Bethel-Thompson, after which the veteran quarterback will be able to entertain all other offers.

The deal essentially is a swap of backup quarterbacks as both teams have recently committed long-term to young starters.

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In November, Montreal signed Davis Alexander to a multi-year deal, then earlier this month Edmonton did the same with Canadian Tre Ford.

“Cody is an accomplished CFL quarterback who will bring valuable experience to our locker room and organization,” Edmonton general manager Ed Hervey said in a statement. “We believe Cody can help this team and push Tre Ford to be the most successful quarterback he can be.”

Fajardo, 32, spent the last two seasons with Montreal, compiling a 16-12-1 record as a starter. He led the Alouettes to the ’23 Grey Cup, earning MVP honours in the club’s 28-24 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after completing 21-of-26 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns.

Fajardo is a nine-year CFL veteran, having also spent time with the Toronto Argonauts, B.C. Lions, and Saskatchewan Roughriders.

The six-foot-four, 236-pound Bethel-Thompson threw for 3,748 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 16 games with Edmonton last season. He was part of two Grey Cup-winning teams over five seasons with the Toronto Argonauts (2017, 2022).

“McLeod is a veteran in the CFL and he could be a great backup for our team,” said Montreal GM Danny Maciocia. “I thank Cody for his two years in Montreal; he has been a true leader both in the locker room and on the field.

“I wish him the best of luck in Edmonton.”

Bethel-Thompson spent the ’23 season with the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League. He led the league in passing with 2,433 passing yards.

During his time with Toronto (2017-19, 2021-22), Bethel-Thompson, 36, threw for 13,261 yards and 70 touchdowns while starting 46-of-74 games. In 2022, he led the CFL with 4,731 passing yards and had 23 TDs.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Dec. 17, 2024.

The Canadian Press