After trading Trevor Harris to the Montreal Alouettes only nine days ago, the Edmonton Elks made another trade involving a quarterback on Tuesday by acquiring Nick Arbuckle from the Toronto Argonauts.
The Elks will send the rights to quarterback Chad Kelly, who was on their negotiation list, to the Argos along with a conditional third round pick in the 2022 CFL Draft. The pick will become a second rounder if the Elks are able to re-sign Arbuckle for the 2022 CFL season.
Arbuckle, 28, signed with the Argos in the off-season and played seven games, starting in four and recorded 1,158 passing yards while throwing for five touchdowns and six interceptions.
Arbuckle started his career with the Calgary Stampeders, in 2019 he started seven games because of an injury to Bo Levi Mitchell. Arbuckle recorded 2,103 passing yards while throwing for 11 touchdowns and five interceptions.
Elks GM Brock Sunderland said trade discussions with the Argos went quiet for days after initial discussions a couple of weeks ago. He said things changed after the Argos’ loss to the Montreal Alouettes last Friday.
“The trade deadline is tomorrow (Wednesday) so there’s always some chatter,” he said.
“I’ve gone back and forth multiple times with Toronto, discussing different scenarios. Then talks broke off for about three to four days and then after the game (in Montreal), Pinball (Argos GM Mike Clemons) reached out to me and talks really heated up from there.”
Arbuckle is expected to arrive in Edmonton on Wednesday and then go through a one-day quarantine. He will likely join his new teammates on Thursday. As far as a new contract, Sunderland said he and Arbuckle are already in talks.
“We’re hopeful to get something done for 2022 and I’m confident that will happen, but as negotiations go, you never know. But I feel confident,” Sunderland said. “I think he wants to settle down. He has a young family and they’re familiar with Alberta.
“He’s pretty eager and excited to get out here. I had a great conversation with him and I feel he’s going to fit in the city and in this locker room really well.”
Elks head coach Jamie Elizondo said he is looking forward to bringing Arbuckle into the fold, but also made a point of stressing that Taylor Cornelius is currently the team’s starting quarterback with Dakota Prukop as the backup.
When Arbuckle will be ready to play in a game situation is something Elizondo said he doesn’t know yet.
“Without knowing and talking to him, it’s hard to answer that,” Elizondo said. “Again, Taylor and Dakota are our guys and as quickly as Nick gets up to speed that will be a benefit for him and for everybody.”
The Elks host the Hamilton Tiger-Cats on Friday night on The Brick Field at Commonwealth Stadium. Kickoff will be at 7:45 p.m. 630 CHED will have live coverage with Countdown to Kickoff starting at 6 p.m.
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