REGINA – The Winnipeg Blue Bombers acquired quarterback Drew Willy from the Grey Cup-champion Saskatchewan Roughriders for Canadian receiver Jade Etienne on Thursday.
Willy was scheduled to become a free agent next week but has signed an extension with the Bombers, the CFL club announced.
Willy commented that “I am really excited to join the Blue Bomber organization. The support the team gets from the province of Manitoba is remarkable. With such a deep history, the fans, the new stadium, and the direction the team wants to go, it’s going to be a great place to play. The people within the organization have shown genuine interest in me, and as a player, you can’t ask for anything more.”
The move comes after Winnipeg lost out to the Ottawa Redblacks for the services of veteran free-agent Henry Burris.
Willy doesn’t have a lot of experience with a 2-2 record in his two seasons with the Roughriders. He joins Max Hall and Justin Goltz to compete for the Winnipeg starter’s job.
“Drew is a quarterback we have always thought had very high potential in this league. He immediately upgrades us at this position, and we really look forward to him being a part of the Winnipeg Blue Bombers moving forward,” said General Manager Kyle Walters in a release announcing the trade.
The six-foot-three, 215-pound Willy was 32-of-52 passing last season for 474 yards and four touchdowns.
Winnipeg GM Kyle Walters says the Bombers have always thought Willy had a lot of potential and view his acquisition as an upgrade at quarterback.
Jade Etinne will be entering his fourth season in the CFL after being selected in the first round by the Blue Bombers. Last year the Regina native had 19 catches for 265 yards and two touchdowns in 14 regular season games.
With Files from Global News
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