The Edmonton Eskimos have found their next quarterback.
On Thursday, the club acquired Mike Reilly from the B.C. Lions in exchange for a 2014 second round draft pick.
The teams also swapped second round picks in the 2013 draft. The Lions will now pick 11th in the 2013 draft while the Eskimos will select 14th overall.
Later Thursday, Reilly signed a one-year contract extension with an option, avoiding free agency in February.
The Winnipeg Blue Bombers were asked to trade first round picks and a third-rounder for Reilly but were told they could not speak to him before completion of the deal. The Bombers determined that was too risky and were less sold on Reilly than the Eskimos were.
The Hamilton Tiger-Cats were also in contact with the Lions about the trade.
Lions general manager Wally Buono wanted to give Reilly the opportunity to seek a number one quarterback position and while he has not been guaranteed the number one starting job, he believes it's his to lose.
"I was approached by Edmonton GM Ed Hervey seeking permission to talk to Mike before the free agency period began and in light of Mike's desire to explore opportunities to become a starting quarterback, I believed a trade was doable," said Buono.
