Veteran QB Bo Levi Mitchell signs with Tiger-Cats over testing free-agent market

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.

That gave Hamilton a negotiating window with Mitchell, who was slated to become a free agent Feb. 14.

Financial details weren't divulged but a source requesting anonymity said Mitchell will be paid about $500,000 annually. Winnipeg quarterback Zach Collaros, the CFL's outstanding player the past two years, is regarded as the league's highest-paid player, reportedly earning $600,000 a year.

The source spoke on the condition of anonymity because the Ticats didn't release Mitchell's contract figures.

Mitchell, 32, joined the Stampeders in 2012 and had played his entire CFL career in Calgary. He led 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 — the league's active leader — with 188 touchdowns 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 TD 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