Ottawa Redblacks: Masoli out for the rest of the season

The Ottawa Redblacks have contacted McLeod Bethel-Thompson about a possible return to the CFL.

Ottawa (1-3) has made inquiries with the veteran quarterback, according to a league source. On Saturday night, incumbent Jeremiah Masoli suffered a season-ending left Achilles tendon injury in the Redblacks 21-13 road loss to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats (1-3).

The Redblacks confirmed the nature of Masoli’s injury on Monday. The club added that Masoli will undergo surgery and will soon have the surgery in Ottawa.

The source spoke on condition of anonymity as Ottawa GM Shawn Burke will address reporters after the Redblacks’ practice on Tuesday.

Masoli played one year to the day following a season-ending right leg injury during a game against the Saskatchewan Roughriders. During that 17-game span, the Redblacks were 5-12.

On Saturday night, rookie Dustin Crum came off the bench to complete 14-of-21 passes for 149 yards and two interceptions. The six-foot-three, 207-pound Crum also ran for a team-high 91 yards and a TD on six carries.

Crum nearly put Ottawa in a position to force overtime. He had a 19-yard run on the final play of the game, but was stopped a yard short of the endzone on a tackle from Hamilton’s Chris Edwards.

Crum is expected to start Saturday night when Ottawa hosts the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (4-1).

Masoli took over starting duties from sophomore Tyrie Adams, who suffered a season-ending knee injury while leading Ottawa past the Edmonton Elks 26–7 on June 30.

Bethel-Thompson, 35, played five seasons with the Toronto Argonauts (2017-22), winning Gray Cups in his first and last campaigns with the CFL club. Bethel-Thompson’s first championship came as backup to veteran Ricky Ray,

But the six-foot-four, 220-pound Bethel-Thompson threw for a CFL- and career-high 4,731 yards last season with 23 touchdowns and 15 interceptions. He led Toronto (11-7) to first place in the East Division for a second straight season before completing 19 of 27 passes for 299 yards and two TDs in the Argos’ 34-27 conference final victory over the Montreal Alouettes .

That earned Toronto a Gray Cup berth against heavily favored Winnipeg. Bethel-Thompson was 15 of 28 and passed for 203 yards before suffering a dislocated right thumb late in the fourth quarter.

Backup Chad Kelly—the cousin of former Bills star quarterback Jim Kelly—came off the bench to make four-of-six passes for 43 yards. But it was Kelly’s crucial 20-yard run on second and 15th that set up AJ Ouellette’s game-winning five-yard rushing touchdown in Toronto’s stunning 24-23 victory.

In the off-season, Bethel-Thompson chose to sign with the USFL’s New Orleans Breakers, citing a desire to play closer to his family. The move was not surprising, as after the Gray Cup game, Bethel-Thompson spoke candidly about the difficulties of being away from his wife and young daughter during the CFL season.

But according to the source, a return to Canada “should be right” for Bethel-Thompson and his family. The source added that Ottawa was not the only CFL club to contact Bethel-Thompson, but would not identify the other teams.

The source also said that “significant” NFL interest in Bethel-Thompson remains as teams can dress a third quarterback on game day this year without using an active roster spot. The change came about after the San Francisco 49ers were forced to battle through injuries to starter Brock Purdy and backup Josh Johnson in a 31–7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the NFC championship game.

The rule change also means NFL teams will likely bring at least four quarterbacks to training camp. And one factor that could work in Bethel-Thompson’s favor would be his professional experience, which could make him a more attractive choice to step into a game in an emergency than an unproven rookie.

Bethel-Thompson certainly has the luxury of time to ponder his next football move. It could be argued that his value in Canada only increases with each passing week and especially if a starter from one of the CFL’s contending teams suffers a significant injury.

Bethel-Thompson appeared in 74 regular season games, completing 1,125 of 1,683 passes (66.8 percent) for 13,261 yards with 70 touchdowns and 49 interceptions. He also ran 93 times for 513 yards (5.5 yard average) and two touchdowns.

This report from The Canadian Press was first published on July 10, 2023.