TORONTO – The Toronto Argonauts Football Club has acquired 29-year-old veteran international quarterback Drew Willy from the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in exchange for international defensive back TJ Heath, a first round selection in the 2017 CFL Draft and a third round selection in the 2018 CFL Draft.
“By making this trade, not only have we added depth to the quarterback position for this season, but we have added a young, talented and experienced quarterback for the future,” said Jim Barker, General Manager of the Argonauts.
Willy signed with Winnipeg in 2014 as a highly sought after free agent after winning the Grey Cup as a backup quarterback with the Saskatchewan Roughriders in 2013. In his first season as a starter for the Blue Bombers, Willy completed 64% of his passes for 3,769 yards, 14 touchdowns and 16 interceptions, led the CFL with six 300-passing-yard games en route to being named the Bombers’ Most Outstanding Player. In 2015, Willy had the best start of his young career, throwing for 1,434 yards, eight touchdowns and just three interceptions in leading the Bombers to a 3-3 record before getting injured in Week 7 that would see him miss the remainder of the year.
In five starts this season, Willy completed 72% of his passes for 1,473 yards, five touchdowns and four interceptions.
“Drew has all of the abilities we look for in a quarterback – leadership, poise, accuracy and a strong arm,” said Head Coach Scott Milanovich. “We have watched Drew play a lot over the years and have liked him for quite some time. We think he has a ton of potential to be a very good player for us for years to come.”
The 6’4”, 240-pound quarterback from the University of Buffalo is playing in his fifth season in the CFL. The native of Randolph, New Jersey was originally signed by the Roughriders in February, 2012.