After winning the 2023 Grey Cup MVP with the Montreal Alouettes, Cody Fajardo was unexpectedly traded to the Edmonton Elks for veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson. Fajardo expressed disappointment at the conclusion of his time in Montreal but also acknowledged the unpredictable nature of life. He reflected on the unforgettable memories, hard work, and support from fans during his time with the Alouettes. Bethel-Thompson, who is a two-time CFL champion, recently completed his first season with Edmonton and is set to become a free agent on Feb. 11. Montreal will have the opportunity to negotiate exclusively with Bethel-Thompson until that date, after which he can consider other offers.
The trade between Montreal and Edmonton essentially involves a swap of backup quarterbacks as both teams have committed long-term to their young starting quarterbacks. Montreal signed Davis Alexander to a multi-year deal in November, while Edmonton did the same with Canadian Tre Ford earlier this month. Edmonton’s general manager, Ed Hervey, believes that Fajardo’s experience as an accomplished CFL quarterback will benefit the team and push Tre Ford to reach his full potential. Fajardo, who led the Alouettes to the 2023 Grey Cup victory under coach Jason Maas, expressed gratitude towards his former teammates, coaching staff, and Montreal fans for their support during his time with the team.
Fajardo, a nine-year CFL veteran, has also played for the Toronto Argonauts, B.C. Lions, and Saskatchewan Roughriders. The six-foot-four, 236-pound Bethel-Thompson, who threw for 3,748 passing yards and 24 touchdowns in 16 games with Edmonton last season, is considered a valuable veteran presence in the CFL. Bethel-Thompson has been part of two Grey Cup-winning teams during his five seasons with the Toronto Argonauts. Montreal’s general manager, Danny Maciocia, thanked Fajardo for his leadership on and off the field during his two years with the Alouettes and wished him luck in his new journey with Edmonton. Bethel-Thompson, who spent the 2023 season with the New Orleans Breakers of the United States Football League, led the league in passing yards with 2,433.
Fajardo had completed 73.6% of his passes for 3,105 yards, 16 touchdowns, and seven interceptions in 14 regular-season games with Montreal the previous season. However, Alexander stepped in and went 4-0 as a starter when injuries sidelined Fajardo. Fajardo’s Instagram post expressed gratitude towards his former teammates, the coaching staff, and everyone who played a role behind the scenes in Montreal. He described playing for the passionate Montreal fans as an honor that he will never forget. With Fajardo having one year remaining on his contract and a $200,000 bonus due in January, there is a possibility that he may need to renegotiate his contract with his new team, the Edmonton Elks.
Bethel-Thompson, who has thrown for 13,261 yards and 70 touchdowns during his CFL career, is known for his strong performances and leadership on the field. In 2022, he led the CFL in passing yards with 4,731 and had 23 touchdowns. The trade between Montreal and Edmonton highlights the dynamic nature of professional sports, where teams make strategic decisions based on their current roster, salary cap considerations, and long-term goals. As Fajardo and Bethel-Thompson embark on new chapters in their football careers, the impact of this trade will be closely watched by fans and analysts across the CFL.
