Ottawa's New QB Room Is Built for the Long Game
Ottawa Redblacks fans heading to TD Place on Friday night will witness something new: McLeod Bethel-Thompson suiting up in a Redblacks uniform for the first time, backing up starter Jake Maier against the Saskatchewan Roughriders.
It's a quarterback tandem that didn't happen by accident.
Jake Maier Leads the Way
Maier has established himself as Ottawa's guy under centre heading into this season. The Calgary Stampeders product brings a steady arm and proven CFL experience to the Redblacks offence. Maier's ability to move the chains and manage a game makes him a reliable starter — and the coaching staff has clearly committed to giving him the keys to the offence.
But in the CFL, depth at quarterback isn't a luxury — it's a necessity. The 18-game season, plus playoffs, demands a capable second option ready to step in without skipping a beat.
Enter McLeod Bethel-Thompson
That's where MTB comes in. McLeod Bethel-Thompson — instantly recognizable to any CFL fan by his thick beard and his decade-plus of league experience — brings a wealth of knowledge to Ottawa's QB room.
Bethel-Thompson, who spent several seasons as a starter with the Toronto Argonauts and won a Grey Cup with them in 2022, is exactly the kind of veteran presence a team wants behind its starter. He's been in big moments. He knows how to prepare. And if Ottawa needs him to play, there's little question he can handle the job.
For the Redblacks organization, landing a backup of his calibre is a genuine upgrade in depth.
Why This Pairing Makes Sense
The Maier-MTB tandem gives Ottawa something it has sometimes lacked in recent years: genuine continuity at the most important position on the field.
Maier gets the full confidence of the coaching staff as the starter, while Bethel-Thompson provides insurance that keeps the team competitive no matter what. In a division where every game matters, that kind of depth can be the difference between a playoff run and an early exit.
The pairing also gives the offence an experienced voice in the huddle even on days when Maier needs a breather or is working through an in-game challenge. Bethel-Thompson's experience as a starter means he communicates differently with receivers and linemen than a raw backup would — that knowledge transfers to the whole unit.
Friday Night at TD Place
The Redblacks host Saskatchewan on Friday, and it'll be a chance for Ottawa fans to see how the depth chart looks in a live game setting. Whether Bethel-Thompson sees action or not, his presence on the sideline adds a layer of security to an Ottawa team with genuine ambitions this season.
TD Place kicks off under the lights, and the Redblacks faithful will be watching closely — not just to see if Ottawa can get a win, but to see how this new-look quarterback room operates under game conditions.
Source: Ottawa Citizen
