TORONTO — The Toronto Argonauts are making a quarterback change in Week 8.

Marc Trestman told Mike Hogan on Sunday that McLeod Bethel-Thompson will get the start on Thursday night, when the team hosts the Ottawa REDBLACKS in a key divisional battle.

The move puts highly-touted prospect James Franklin on the bench after just four starts. The Argos have gone 1-3 with Franklin under centre, most recently falling 40-14 to the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Friday night.

In a home-and-home sweep at the hands of the Bombers, the Argos were outscored 78-34, falling to 1-5 and into a last-place tie in the East with Montreal.

In six games this season, Franklin has thrown for 967 yards while completing 65 per cent of his passes. However, he’s thrown two touchdown passes to six interceptions, including three against the Bombers in Week 8.

Bethel-Thompson, who turns 30 on Aug. 3, has earned Trestman’s praise since joining the team early in 2017. Thursday will mark the first CFL start of his career after spending six seasons in the National Football League.