Steve Milton: Ticats sign quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell
The Tiger-Cats have landed the man they want to lead them into the hometown Grey Cup in November.
The Spectator has learned that the Ticats will announce Tuesday morning that they have signed quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell, a two-time CFL Most Outstanding Player and twice the MVP of the Grey Cup.
Mitchell spent 10 years in Calgary, winning the 2014 and 2018 Grey Cups, and leading the league twice in passing. The 32-year-old native of Katy, Texas, played at SMU and Eastern Washington before coming to Canada in 2012 and becoming the Stamps' starter in 2013.
His 32,541 passing yards are most among active CFL quarterbacks, but after enduring injuries in 2019 and 2021, he lost his starter's job to Jake Maier in the second half of 2022. When Maeir signed a contract extension, Mitchell's time in Calgary was effectively done.
In mid-November, the Ticats sent this year's third-round CFL draft choice and next year's fourth, plus future considerations, to Calgary for Mitchell, allowing them to be the only team to negotiate with him until free agency begins on Valentine's Day.
The Tiger-Cats entertained Mitchell and his wife Madison in Burlington and Hamilton in December. Franchise CEO Scott Mitchell, president of football ops Orlondo Mitchell, and senior executives Ed Hervey, Spencer Zimmerman and Drew Allemang felt they would be able to convince the quarterback that the Ticats were legitimate, long-term, Grey Cup contenders and that the Bay Area was an ideal location for the Mitchells and their two daughters.
They were correct.
More to come.
Steve Milton is a Hamilton-based sports columnist at The Spectator. Reach him via email: smilton@thespec.com