{
    "title": "TRANSACTION | Elks add former NFL draft pick Thompson",
    "modified_at": "2026-05-17 16:00:01",
    "published_at": "2026-05-17 16:00:00",
    "url": "https://press.goelks.com/transaction-elks-add-former-nfl-draft-pick-thompson",
    "short_url": "http://prez.ly/CTGd",
    "culture": "en",
    "language": "EN",
    "subtitle": "The defensive lineman was a member of the 2023 Super Bowl winning Kansas City Chiefs",
    "slug": "transaction-elks-add-former-nfl-draft-pick-thompson",
    "body": "\n    <figure\n        class=\"release-content-image release-content-image--contained release-content-image--align-center\"\n        data-component=\"image-zoom-popup\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-selector=\".release-content-image__image\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-i18n=\"data:application/json;base64,eyJEb3dubG9hZCI6IkRvd25sb2FkIn0=\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-views-event=\"Story Image View\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-tracking-download-event=\"Story Image Download\"\n        data-image-zoom-popup-placement=\"content\"\n    >\n        <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover\" style=\"width: 100%\">\n            <img\n                src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/927da90f-adc9-4e16-a6ae-832746ad25c2/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                                class=\"release-content-image__image image-thumbnail-rollover__image\"\n                data-description=\"\"\n                id=\"image-927da90f-adc9-4e16-a6ae-832746ad25c2\"\n                data-id=\"927da90f-adc9-4e16-a6ae-832746ad25c2\"\n                data-original=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/927da90f-adc9-4e16-a6ae-832746ad25c2/-/inline/no/EE-2026_Transactions-Generic-Thumbnail.jpg\"\n                data-mfp-src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/927da90f-adc9-4e16-a6ae-832746ad25c2/-/resize/1200x/-/format/auto/\"\n                alt=\"Story image\"\n            />\n            <div class=\"image-thumbnail-rollover__caption\">\n                <svg class=\"icon icon-expand image-thumbnail-rollover__caption-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-expand\"></use>\n            </svg>            </div>\n        </div>\n\n        <figcaption class=\"release-content-image__caption\"></figcaption>\n    </figure>\n<p>EDMONTON &mdash; The Edmonton Elks signed American defensive lineman <strong>Brandon &quot;BJ&quot; Thompson II</strong>, the club announced Sunday. As a corresponding move, American wide receiver <strong>Ife Adeyi</strong> has been released. </p><p><strong>Thompson </strong>(6&rsquo;6, 244) adds more depth to the Elks trenches. The 27-year-old has spent the last three seasons playing pro football, most recently having suited up on the Calgary Stampeders practice roster in 2025. Prior to his time in the CFL, Thompson was a fifth-round selection (166th overall) in the 2023 NFL Draft by the Kansas City Chiefs. The Baylor and Stephen F. Austin Product was a member of the Super Bowl winning Chiefs in 2023, before missing the 2024 season on the NFL injury list. </p><p>As a member of the Stephen F. Austin Jacks (2020-22), Thompson suited up for 33 games, registering 79 total tackles, 27.5 tackles for loss, 20.5 sacks, and five forced fumbles. </p><p><em>Edmonton Elks 2026 Training Camp is officially underway. For a full camp schedule, click </em><a href=\"https://www.goelks.com/practice-schedule/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>HERE</em></a><em>. </em></p><hr /><h4 id=\"edmonton-elks\" ><strong>EDMONTON ELKS</strong></h4><p>The Edmonton Elks are proud members of the Canadian Football League, playing their home games at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Alberta.</p><p>The club, officially renamed the Elks in June of 2021, has a tradition of excellence having won 14 Grey Cup championships (1954-56, 1975, 1978-82, 1987, 1993, 2003, 2005, 2015). Since its founding, the club remains focused on providing outstanding football memories for Edmonton and all of Northern Alberta.</p><p><em><strong>Elks Football&hellip; Our City, Our Year</strong></em></p><div class=\"release-content-contact\" id=\"contact-e1b30707-cc67-47f3-99d4-549674b7fe5f\">\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__avatar\"><img src=\"https://cdn.uc.assets.prezly.com/9a98bb73-1259-407e-8e69-d17c46108e65/-/scale_crop/128x128/center/-/format/auto/\" alt=\"Michael Arcuri\" class=\"release-content-contact__avatar-image\" /></div>\n    <div class=\"release-content-contact__details\">\n        <strong class=\"release-content-contact__name\">Michael Arcuri</strong>\n        <em class=\"release-content-contact__description\">Manager, Football Communications and Player Relations, Edmonton Elks Football Club</em>\n        <ul class=\"release-content-contact__details-list\"><li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"mailto:m.arcuri@goelks.com\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"m.arcuri@goelks.com\"><svg class=\"icon icon-paper-plane release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-paper-plane\"></use>\n            </svg>m.arcuri@goelks.com</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"tel:780-691-4442\"  class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"780-691-4442\"><svg class=\"icon icon-mobile release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-mobile\"></use>\n            </svg>780-691-4442</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://twitter.com/arcurimike\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"@arcurimike\"><svg class=\"icon icon-twitter release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-twitter\"></use>\n            </svg>@arcurimike</a></li>\n<li class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item\"><a href=\"https://goelks.com\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" class=\"release-content-contact__details-list-item-link\" title=\"goelks.com\"><svg class=\"icon icon-browser release-content-contact__details-list-item-icon\">\n                <use xlink:href=\"#icon-browser\"></use>\n            </svg>goelks.com</a></li></ul>\n    </div>\n</div>",
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