With Ricky Ray on the shelf, the Toronto Argonauts are getting some extra insurance at quarterback.

The Argos announced Sunday night that club has acquired 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 GM Jim Barker in a statement.



Willy signed with Winnipeg in 2014 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 per cent 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.

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In 2015, Willy threw 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 per cent 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 in a statement. “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.

The Bombers also traded their fourth-round pick in the 2018 draft to Montreal in exchange for quarterback Kevin Glenn, who will replace Willy behind starter Matt Nichols.

Glenn is a veteran of 16 CFL seasons, including five with Winnipeg from 2004 to 2008. He started nine games with Montreal this season, completing 222 of his 314 passes for 2,547 yards, 13 touchdowns and 11 interceptions. Glenn has played 250 career games, throwing for 48,766 yards and 270 touchdowns. He has led two teams to Grey Cup appearances, including one with Winnipeg in 2007.

He sits third on the Bombers all-time passing yardage list at 18,116 and fifth on the club's all-time passing touchdowns list.

Heath is in his first CFL season, having played in 10 games (nine starts) for Toronto.

He had a team-high five interceptions and 37 defensive tackles with the Argos. His five interceptions are tied for the league lead with Bombers linebacker Maurice Leggett.

Heath signed with Toronto in May 2016 after stints in the NFL with Jacksonville, Buffalo, Cleveland, Miami and New York Giants.

"The opportunity to acquire a first-round pick next year along with a player we have really liked this season in T.J. Heath, and an experienced quarterback in Kevin Glenn was something we needed to strongly evaluate," said Bombers general manager Kyle Walters.

"Ultimately, for a variety of factors, we felt this was the right move for our football team, both short and long term. We sincerely thank Drew Willy for his hard work, professionalism and dedication to our program over the past two plus seasons."

The Bombers have won six straight games since Nichols took over as their starter, making Willy expendable.