Tiger-Cats signing QB Mitchell to three-year deal
HAMILTON — Bo Levi Mitchell is a Hamilton Tiger-Cat.
The veteran quarterback signed a three-year deal with Hamilton, the club announced Tuesday. The Ticats acquired the rights to Mitchell in November from the Calgary Stampeders.
Mitchell, 32, joined the Stampeders in 2012 and had played his entire CFL career in Calgary. He lead the franchise to two Grey Cup titles while twice being named the league's outstanding player.
But the Texas native lost his starting job this year to youngster Jake Maier, who signed an extension with the Stampeders through the 2024 campaign during the 2022 season.
Mitchell, 32, started 117 of 165 games with Calgary, completing 2,496 of 3,866 passes (64.6 per cent) for 32,541 yards with 188 TDs and 89 interceptions. The six-foot-two, 190-pound Mitchell started nine-of-18 games last year, finishing 160 of 261 passing (61.3 per cent) for 2,101 yards with nine touchdown passes and six interceptions.
"Bo Levi has an incredible record of achievements in the Canadian Football League and is a proven champion," Orlondo Steinauer, Hamilton's head coach/president of football operations, said in a statement. "Throughout the process, it became clear that Bo, both as a person and as a player, would be an excellent fit for our organization and we are excited to welcome Bo Levi, Madison, and their two children to the city of Hamilton and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club."
Bo Levi Mitchell’s 3-year deal with the @Ticats is believed to be worth just over $500,000 per season. That’s good @CFL starting QB money, but have to believe — with some teams still unsettled at QB — he could have got more on the open market.#CFL #Ticats
— Dave Naylor (@TSNDaveNaylor) January 24, 2023Hamilton will host the 2023 Grey Cup game at Tim Hortons Field on Nov. 19.
Mitchell is a two-time CFL all-star and the league's active leader with 32,541 passing yards.
"I am excited and honoured for the opportunity to help deliver a championship to the incredible fans in Hamilton," said Mitchell. "This is an excellent organization that goes above and beyond to ensure that everyone has what they need to be successful and I have the utmost faith in Coach O, his staff and all the elite players on the roster.
"I look forward to earning my place in the locker room and being a part of something that I believe can be very special. I can't wait to get to work."
When a team trades for a pending free agent QB’s rights, they will sign him:
— Reilly to Edm — signed.
— Franklin to Tor — signed.
— Arbuckle to Ott — signed.
— Mitchell to Ham — signed.
Water runs downhill … #CFL
The signing of Mitchell completes Hamilton's deal with Calgary. The Ticats also acquired the Stampeders 2023 first-round pick (fifth overall) and a 2024 third-round selection.
The Stampeders receive Hamilton’s 2023 first-round pick (fourth overall) as well as third- and sixth-round selections in addition to a 2024 second-round selection.
Hamilton (8-10) finished third in the East Division last season, Dane Evans' first as the club's starter. The Ticats signed Evans to a two-year extension last January, allowing then incumbent Jeremiah Masoli to join the Ottawa Redblacks as a free agent.
Hamilton ended its season by losing 28-17 to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division semifinal.
Evans, who was Hamilton's starter in the 2019 and '21 Grey Cups, completed 305 of 457 passes (66.7 per cent) for 3,883 yards. But he also led the CFL in interceptions (16), fumbles (eight) and fumbles lost (seven) while winning just six of 14 regular-season starts.
