According to numerous reports, the Eagles are set to sign journeyman Quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson pending a physical. The initial report was broken by Adam Caplan and has since been confirmed by various sources.
#Eagles to sign QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson (pending physical), who spent part of last season with #49ers practice squad.
— Adam Caplan (@caplannfl) February 18, 2016
Eagles plan on signing QB McLeod Bethel-Thompson, source confirms @caplannfl report. …27-year old QB has been on 8 NFL rosters since 2011
— Zach Berman (@ZBerm) February 18, 2016
So with the move almost certain, we decided to break down everything you need to know about the new Eagles Quarterback. Brandon Gowton gave him the nickname MBT…but we feel that a Mc BLT sounds better!
- Journeyman
If anyone defines journeyman, it’s Bethel-Thompson. Since 2011 the undrafted Quarterback has not only bounced around the NFL but other leagues too, having played on eleven teams in five seasons. Most recently, he was a member of the 49ers practice squad..the team which recently handed its reigns over to former Eagles Head Coach Chip Kelly.
San Jose SaberCats -2011
San Francisco 49ers -2011
Sacramento Mountain Lions-2011
Miami Dolphins -2011
Minnesota Vikings -2012
San Francisco 49ers -2013
New England Patriots -2014
Minnesota Vikings -2014
Miami Dolphins -2014
Los Angeles Kiss -2015
San Francisco 49ers -2015
2. Depth
Both Sam Bradford and Thad Lewis are set to become free agents very shortly, meaning that whilst McLeod Bethel-Thompson could be a camp body later in the year, as of right now he would likely be sitting in a second/third string position until the Eagles decide on a direction for their starter.
3. Pre-Season
Whilst he hasn’t played in a regular season NFL game, he has played in 12 pre-season games. However his record is less than impressive, totalling three touchdowns and nine interceptions.
4. Scout report
You can make your own scout report on Bethel- Thompson thanks to this handy footage of a preseason game between the Vikings and the Texans in 2012.
5. Size
At 6-foot-3 and 236-pounds, he definitely possesses the right frame to be a force in the pocket.
6. His most recent action
The Dolphins rested their starters in the final pre-season game of 2015, handing the reigns over to the journeyman. Bethel-Thompson’s impressive third-quarter drive up the field was cut short by an interception that was returned for 98 yards by Khaseem Greene. Thompson was pulled from the game almost immediately and ended 11/16, 2 INT, 127 yards.
7. That arm though
Bethel-Thompson could reportedly throw 70 yards in high school..now that was quite some time ago but one of his biggest assets is that he does possess a big arm according to scouts, that would definitely cement the view.
8. Mobility
Johnson ran a 4.53 at the combine, interestingly the same time as a certain Colin Kaepernick.
9. Pressure
If there’s one thing the Eagles suffered a lot of last season it’s pressure…when Bethel-Thompson was under pressure with the Vikings, his quarterback rating sank to 39.6. Whilst he is able to extend plays, he only rushed for 10 yards on 5 attempts..hardly Russell Wilson esque’.
10. The Gabbert curse
He’s been compared numerous times to Blaine Gabbert. A Quarterback with a big arm who isn’t very accurate and suffers when throwing under pressure. Make of that what you will…
So now when somebody asks you about the Mc BLT, you can fire of facts faster than he can run a 40-yard dash!
photo credit: Steve Mitchell-USA TODAY Sports
