Courtesy: Geoff Robins/CFL

Bo Levi Mitchell had a strong season with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats in 2025 but it remains unclear whether or not he’ll play in 2026.

“I have conversations I have to have with family and myself and my coaches and the guys that make decisions and figure out what I want to do,” Mitchell told the media in Hamilton following his team’s 19-16 loss to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Final.

“It’s an amazing group — there’s a lot of great players in that locker room, the staff as well. It’s been unreal just to work with these guys and work under (head coach) Scott (Milanovich) and learn from this guy. I can’t think about the last time that he even had a quarterback that wasn’t great, so I just feel blessed to be able to learn from him and continue to grow as a player.”

The native of Katy, Texas, who will turn 36 in March, has openly contemplated retirement in the past, though he’s coming off a season in which he set a new career-high with 36 touchdown passes. The East Final was a defensive battle as Mitchell completed 29-of-36 for 269 yards, one touchdown, and one interception.

All-CFL receiver Kenny Lawler got 13 targets in the game — more than twice as many as any other receiver on the Tiger-Cats — and caught nine passes for 117 yards. Mitchell offered him high praise for him after the game.

“I told Kenny after the game, I said, ‘Man, I think you’re the best guy I’ve ever played with.’ I don’t love putting labels on it because it disrespects other guys but the way he attacks the game — just the tenacity of it, the leadership he has, and just his ability to go out there and make big plays,” said Mitchell.

“I wish we could have got him a ball there at the end (of the East Final) to give us a chance. I could have maybe tried to fit one back shoulder, or give him a shot there on that last one where I checked it down, but it’s a mistake I’ve made in the past, and it’s turned into picks and I wasn’t going to allow that to happen.”

Mitchell is a pending free agent and he’s taken relatively team-friendly deals the past two seasons in Steeltown. Taylor Powell, the 27-year-old passer who has been with the team since 2023, is also without a contract for 2026.

The two-time CFL M.O.P. and Grey Cup champion will be at the CFL’s championship game in Winnipeg as the East Division’s nominee for M.O.P., a recognition he also received last year. It’s possible he’ll speak to media and provide a further update on his status for 2026. In the meantime, however, he needs to have some important conversations.