The Edmonton Eskimos have acquired quarterback Mike Reilly from the B.C. Lions, Sportsnet has learned.
In return, the Lions acquired Edmonton’s second-round selection in the 2014 Canadian Draft and the teams swapped second-round draft picks in this year’s Canadian Draft — B.C. now has the 11th overall selection in exchange for the 14th overall selection.
BREAKING: Have learned the Edmonton #Esks have traded for #BCLions back-up QB Mike Reilly. Done deal. Massive move by #Eskimos. #CFL
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) January 31, 2013
“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,” Lions general manager Wally Buono said in a press release. “We thank Mike for his time with the Lions and he will be missed.”
This is a pre-emptive move made by the Eskimos to acquire a pending free agent, buying themselves just over two weeks to sign the 28-year-old before he hits the open market on Feb. 15.
Hervey had made it known he was absolutely interested in the services of Reilly, who likely wouldn’t be a fit in B.C.’s salary cap structure after giving starter Travis Lulay $450,000.
Reilly would likely immediately become the Eskimos starting quarterback, launching a new beginning in Edmonton in the post-Ricky Ray era. The team released last season’s starting QB Stephen Jyles earlier this month.
For those asking if the Reilly trade involves conditional picks, it’s irrelevant: Mike Reilly has signed an extension with the #Esks. #CFL
— Arash Madani (@ArashMadani) January 31, 2013
“Mike has the chance to be an elite quarterback in this league,” Hervey said in a press release. “This is a step toward stabilizing our quarterback position.”
Last season, as Lulay’s backup, Reilly completed 53 of 77 pass attempts for 694 yards, four touchdowns and two interceptions.
