Calgary Stampeders QB Bo Levi Mitchell traded to Hamilton Tiger-Cats

The Calgary Stampeders have traded the rights to quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell to the Hamilton Tiger-Cats.

The trade comes on the heels of a season that saw the Texas native lose his starting job to youngster Jake Maier, who signed an extension with the Stampeders through the 2024 campaign during the ’22 season.

In exchange for the rights, the Stampeders will be receiving Hamilton’s third-round pick in 2023, a fifth-round pick in 2024 and future considerations.

Thank you, Bo! pic.twitter.com/NAh5egRmFb

— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) November 14, 2022

The Stamps confirmed in a statement that Mitchell had expressed his interest in wanting to explore other options at the end of the season, which lead to rumors of the veteran QB possibly moving to the Saskatchewan Roughriders.

“We spoke to other teams and Hamilton expressed interest in acquiring Bo’s playing rights in advance of free agency,” said Stampeders president and general manager John Hufnagel in a statement. “We are very grateful to Bo for everything he has done for the Stampeders over the past 11 years and wish he and his family all the best.”

We have acquired the rights to QB Bo Levi Mitchell

???? | https://t.co/CmoRQfJ2Pd#Ticats | #CFL pic.twitter.com/v3ZsRwLmlv

— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) November 14, 2022

The move gives the Ti-Cats, who host the Grey Cup in 2023, an opportunity to talk turkey with Mitchell, who is scheduled to become a free agent in February.

If the two sides can’t agree on a deal, Mitchell will be eligible to hit the open market.

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The deal also creates questions about the future of Ti-Cats starter Dane Evans.

Hamilton signed Evans to a two-year extension in January, allowing then-incumbent Jeremiah Masoli to join the Ottawa Redblacks as a free agent.

Mitchell signed with the Stampeders in 2012 and quickly rose to become the team’s starting quarterback in 2014.

For everything the past 11 years, thank you Bo ❤️ pic.twitter.com/d5kOU0aycA

— Calgary Stampeders (@calstampeders) November 14, 2022

In his first year starting, he set a new league record, becoming the first quarterback to go 12-1 during the regular season. A season that saw the red and white hold a 15-3 record, before claiming the Grey Cup beating the Hamilton Tiger-Cats 20-16 at BC Place.

During his time in Calgary, Mitchell lead the Stampeders to four Grey Cups, winning two of them (2014 and 2018), completed 2,496 passes for 32,541 yards — setting a new franchise record. He also threw 188 touchdown passes in that time.

In ten years, Mitchell held a record of 84-22-2, was named Grey Cup MVP twice, CFL Most Outstanding player twice, CFL All-Star twice, set a league record for most consecutive wins by a quarterback, and set a league record for fastest quarterback to reach 60 wins — it only took 72 games.