This wasn’t how Cody Fajardo noticed his tenure with the Montreal Alouettes ending.
Montreal dealt the 2023 Gray Cup MVP to the Edmonton Elks on Tuesday for the rights to veteran quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson, a two-time CFL champion.
“Not the best way I imagined ending this chapter as I hoped the guide resulted in Montreal,” Fajardo wrote on his Instagram account. “However life throws you curveballs, and champions adapt.
“Though quick and candy these previous two seasons had been unforgettable. The blood, sweat, and tears poured into this recreation had been all value it the second we lifted that Gray Cup as a group. These recollections, the brotherhood, and the followers who confirmed up for us each step of the best way will stick with me ceaselessly.”
Bethel-Thompson accomplished his first season with Edmonton and is slated to change into a free agent Feb. 11. Which means Montreal could have till then to barter solely with Bethel-Thompson, after which the veteran quarterback will be capable to entertain all different provides.
Edmonton Elks quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson is seen at Commonwealth Stadium in September 2024.
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Fajardo has one yr remaining on his present deal however with a $200,000 bonus due Jan. 15 he may very well be requested to redo the contract. The commerce, although, is actually is a swap of backup quarterbacks as each groups have not too long ago dedicated long-term to younger starters.
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In November, Montreal signed Davis Alexander to a multi-year deal, then earlier this month Edmonton did the identical with Canadian Tre Ford.
“Cody is an achieved CFL quarterback who will deliver invaluable expertise to our locker room and group,” Edmonton common supervisor Ed Hervey mentioned in a press release. “We imagine Cody can assist this group and push Tre Ford to be essentially the most profitable quarterback he could be.”
Fajardo, 32, spent the final two seasons with Montreal, compiling a 16-12-1 file as a starter. Reuniting with head coach Jason Maas, Fajardo led the Alouettes to the ’23 Gray Cup, incomes MVP honours within the membership’s 28-24 victory over the Winnipeg Blue Bombers after finishing 21-of-26 passes for 290 yards and three touchdowns.
Fajardo appeared in 14 regular-season video games with Montreal this previous season, finishing 268-of-364 passes (73.6 per cent) for 3,105 yards with 16 touchdowns and 7 interceptions. However Alexander went 4-0 when accidents sidelined Fajardo.
In his Instagram submit, Fajardo thanked his former Alouettes teammates, the teaching employees “and everybody behind the scenes.”
“I’m grateful to your perception in me and the chance to be a part of one thing particular,” he mentioned. “And to the passionate Montreal followers – you might be really one in every of a form.
“Taking part in for you has been an honour I’ll always remember. Merci Montreal.”
Fajardo is a nine-year CFL veteran, having additionally frolicked 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 video games with Edmonton final season. He was a part of two Gray Cup-winning groups over 5 seasons with Toronto (2017, 2022).
“McLeod is a veteran within the CFL and he may very well be an excellent backup for our group,” mentioned Montreal GM Danny Maciocia. “I thank Cody for his two years in Montreal; he has been a real chief each within the locker room and on the sphere.
“I want him the perfect of luck in Edmonton.”
Bethel-Thompson spent the ’23 season with the New Orleans Breakers of america Soccer League. He led the league in passing with 2,433 yards.
Throughout his time with Toronto (2017-19, 2021-22), Bethel-Thompson, 36, threw for 13,261 yards and 70 touchdowns whereas beginning 46-of-74 video games. In 2022, he led the CFL with 4,731 passing yards and had 23 TDs.
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