Hamilton Tiger-Cats sign veteran QB Bo Levi Mitchell to 3-year deal

Veteran quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell has chosen Hamilton as his Canadian Football League home for the next three seasons.

The Tiger-Cats have been courting the two-time Most Outstanding Player (2016, 2018) since November, when they traded for Mitchell’s negotiation rights from Calgary.

“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 (Orlondo Steinauer), 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.”

Now that Mitchell has signed, the Stampeders will receive the Ticats’ first (fourth overall), third, and sixth-round picks in 2023 and a second-round pick in 2024. Hamilton will get Calgary’s first-round pick in 2023 (fifth overall) and a third-round pick in 2024.

Two-time MOP Bo Levi Mitchell signs three-year deal with Tiger-Cats ✍️

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— Hamilton Tiger-Cats (@Ticats) January 24, 2023

The future hall of famer played a decade with the Stampeders, winning two Grey Cups and being named the games’ Most Valuable Player. Last season, Mitchell was replaced as Calgary’s starting QB in favour of the younger Jake Maier. He later told the club he would test free agency in the offseason.

Mitchell was 6-and-3 as a starter with the Stamps last season, completing 61.3 percent of his passes for 2,010 yards, nine touchdowns, and six interceptions. The 32-year-old native of Katy, Texas has played 165 career games. He is the CFL’s active leader with 32,541 passing yards.

“Bo Levi has an incredible record of achievements in the Canadian Football League and is a proven champion,” said Ticats head coach and president of football operations, Orlondo Steinauer. “Throughout the process, it became clear that Bo, both as a person and as a player, would be an excellent fit for our organization.”

“We are excited to welcome Bo Levi, Madison, and their two children to the city of Hamilton and the Hamilton Tiger-Cats Football Club.”

The Ticats hosted Mitchell and his wife in Hamilton last month, showing them around the city and the teams’ facilities at Tim Hortons Field.

Feeling a sense of urgency, the team decided to move on from starter Dane Evans after losing to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Division Semi-Finals last season. Hamilton will host the Grey Cup game in 2023, hoping Mitchell can help end the longest title drought in the CFL at 23 years. The Ticats are the only team not to win the Grey Cup in the 21st century.

The Ticats and Steinauer will host Mitchell’s introductory press conference at 2 p.m. on Wednesday. It will be live-streamed on the team’s website: ticats.ca/bohaslanded.