A Former Vikings QB Has Discovered a New House with the USFL in 2023



Prior to now yr, we’ve seen the re-emergence of the USFL on the American soccer scene. The league, initially starting again in 1983, noticed a comeback in 2022 after a 36-year hiatus for the reason that conclusion of their 1986 season.

Throughout that 2022 season, a former Vikings QB was one of many fundamental stars of the league as Kyle Sloter led the New Orleans Breakers to the playoffs the place they misplaced within the Divisional spherical to the Birmingham Stallions. Alongside the way in which, Sloter handed for 1798 yards, 9 TDs, and 11 INTs whereas finishing 57.7% of his passes, and he earned a spot with the Jacksonville Jaguars heading into training camp.

Aug 4, 2022; Canton, Ohio, USA; Jacksonville Jaguars quarterback Kyle Sloter (4) rolls out in the course of the fourth quarter in opposition to the Las Vegas Raiders at Tom Benson Corridor of Fame Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports activities

Now, although, Sloter is satirically the backup QB for these Stallions that he misplaced to final season within the playoffs. He’s sitting behind Alex McGough.

Nonetheless, this piece isn’t about Sloter. Slightly, one other former Vikings QB has discovered a brand new dwelling with the USFL in 2023, and in a fair larger strike of irony, this quarterback can be main Sloter’s former crew, the Breakers.

This former Vikings QB is McLeod Bethel-Thompson, a 34-year-old quarterback who, over the first four games of the USFL season, has accomplished 65.7% of his passes for 1115 yards, 6 TDs, and a pair of INTs. The Breakers have gone 4-0 in these video games, and they’re the lone crew standing with an undefeated record to this point in the year.

Apr 16, 2023; Birmingham, AL, USA; New Orleans Breakers quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson (1) appears to cross in opposition to the Pittsburgh Maulers in the course of the second half at Protecting Stadium. Obligatory Credit score: Marvin Gentry-USA TODAY Sports activities

Bethel-Thompson had a stint with the Vikings that overlapped the 2012 and 2013 seasons. In 2012, he accomplished 18/36 passes in the course of the preseason for 242 yards, a landing, and a pair of INTs. Nonetheless, he was in a position to make the 53-man roster for the Vikings that yr as their QB3, spending the yr behind Christian Ponder and Joe Webb.

Nonetheless regardless of taking part in higher in 2013, finishing 33/52 passes for 320 yards, 2 TDs, and an INT over three preseason video games, Bethel-Thompson noticed his time in Minnesota come to an finish throughout October of that yr in favor of free agent-signee Josh Freeman.

Since leaving the Vikings, Bethel-Thompson has had NFL stints with the San Francisco 49ers, Miami Dolphins, and Philadelphia Eagles. Nonetheless, he’s but to look in an everyday season sport on the NFL stage.

Aug 18, 2016; Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Philadelphia Eagles quarterback McLeod Bethel-Thompson (4) passes the ball in opposition to the Pittsburgh Steelers in the course of the fourth quarter at Heinz Discipline. The Eagles received 17-0. Obligatory Credit score: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports activities

Then, in 2017, he joined the CFL the place he performed for the Toronto Argonauts by 2022 earlier than becoming a member of the Breakers in 2023. In 74 video games with Toronto, he accomplished 66.8% of his passes for 13,261 yards, 70 TDs, and 49 INTs.

With NFL headlines starting to decelerate, the Bethel-Thompson story with the Breakers is definitely one to comply with by the remainder of this spring. New Orleans’ subsequent sport is scheduled for Sunday, Could 14th at 3 PM EST in opposition to the 1-3 Memphis Showboats.

Josh Frey is a Class of 2020 graduate of The Faculty of Idaho and managing editor of PurplePTSD.com. When he’s not writing concerning the NFL, Josh enjoys working, gaming, or rooting for the Milwaukee Brewers and Bucks. Try his Twitter account: @Freyed_Chicken.



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