Bo Levi Mitchell’s two-year contract extension will have him with the Hamilton Tiger-Cats through the 2027 CFL season.Peter Power/The Canadian Press
Hamilton Tiger-Cats quarterback Bo Levi Mitchell will return to Steeltown next season.
The two-time Grey Cup champion and East Division nominee for Most Outstanding Player in 2025 has signed a two-year contract with the CFL team.
“It’s exciting to be back,” Mitchell said Thursday in a statement. “As soon as the season was over, I just didn’t feel like it was over. I took the pads off, and it didn’t feel like I was taking them off for the last time.
“So I was very, very excited to make this decision.”
The 35-year-old pivot started all 18 games for the Tiger-Cats this past season. He completed 428 of 626 pass attempts (68 per cent) for 5,296 yards and 36 touchdowns.
Mitchell, who was scheduled to hold a media availability on Friday morning, led the CFL in passing yards and passing touchdowns for the second consecutive season.
“Bo is a proven winner and an elite competitor,” said Ticats head coach Scott Milanovich. “His impact on our locker-room and our organization goes well beyond what shows up on the stat sheet. He sets the standard every day with his preparation, leadership and toughness, and he’s exactly the kind of quarterback you want to lead your team.
“His command of the offence, ability to process in real time, and willingness to be coached elevates everyone around him. Having that kind of presence at quarterback is invaluable.”
Over 13 CFL seasons with Hamilton and the Calgary Stampeders, Mitchell has thrown for 44,319 yards with 262 touchdowns. He won the league’s Most Outstanding Player award in 2016 and 2018.
“Bo reflects the qualities we want to continue building this organization around,” said Ticats president of football operations Orlondo Steinauer. “His approach and consistency have added value throughout our building.
“Bringing Bo back gives us stability at the most important position and lets us continue to move forward with clarity.”
Hamilton (11-7) finished first in the East standings this past season but dropped a 19-16 decision to the Montreal Alouettes in the East Final.
Sankey, Alouettes part ways
Darnell Sankey is getting a head start on CFL free agency.
The Montreal Alouettes announced they released the all-star linebacker Thursday. According to a league source, the two sides mutually agreed to part ways.
Sankey was scheduled to become a free agent in February.
The hard-hitting Sankey signed a one-year contract with the Alouettes midway through the 2023 season, helping the franchise win its eighth Grey Cup title.
The 31-year-old American then signed a two-year extension in Montreal.
He totalled 101 defensive tackles and two sacks in the regular season this year before the Alouettes fell 25-17 to the Saskatchewan Roughriders in the Grey Cup game.
In other moves, the Alouettes announced Thursday that they’ve signed Canadian linebacker Geoffrey Cantin-Arku to a two-year contract extension through 2027.
Cantin-Arku recorded 38 defensive tackles and six special teams tackles this season. He also earned four sacks, one interception and three forced fumbles.