Struggling Argonauts to make a change at quarterback versus Ottawa

TORONTO — McLeod Bethel-Thompson is now the Toronto Argonauts starting quarterback.

Head coach Marc Trestman made the change Sunday, meaning Bethel-Thompson will be under centre Thursday night when Toronto (1-5) hosts the Ottawa Redblacks (4-2).

Bethel-Thompson replaces James Franklin, who was 1-3 as the starter replacing the injured Ricky Ray.

Switching quarterbacks wasn’t Toronto’s only roster move on Sunday, with the Argos acquiring offensive lineman Ryan Bomben and a fifth-round pick in the 2020 Canadian Football League draft from Montreal in exchange for defensive back TJ Heath and a third-round pick in ’20.

Bomben, an eight-year CFL veteran, is a three-time CFL East Division all-star (’15-17) with 126 games of CFL experience.

It has been a tough go for the six-foot-two, 225-pound Franklin, who Toronto acquired in the off-season from the Edmonton Eskimos. Franklin has completed 92 of 141 passes so far for 967 yards with more interceptions (six) than TD passes (one).

Franklin was 20-of-31 passing for 236 yards with three interceptions in Toronto’s 40-14 road loss to Winnipeg on Friday night. The Blue Bombers outscored the Argos 78-34 in sweeping the home-and-home series.

Franklin and Bethel-Thompson battled for the backup job behind Ray during training camp.

Bethel-Thompson, 29, is in his second season with Toronto but will make his first CFL start versus Ottawa.