two games -- both of them in 2013 -- and has completed just 101 passes in his CFL career.

Prior to joining the CFL, he spent time on NFL practice squads in Indianapolis, Baltimore, San Diego and with the New York Jets.

Willy was scheduled to become a free agent next Tuesday at which time the Bombers could have negotiated with him for free. But the club was determined not to take any chances this time around after losing out on the CFL open market twice in the past week in their quest to find a veteran starting quarterback.

The Bombers tendered offers to both Zach Collaros and Henry Burris in the past week only to come away empty-handed after the players chose to sign instead with Hamilton and Ottawa, respectively.

WhileWilly was clearly Winnipeg’s third choice in their search for a new QB, club sources have been saying for weeks that he is highly regarded by their new assistant-GM Danny McManus -- something the club reinforced today in including a quote from McManus in their statement announcing they’d acquired Willy.

"Drew has the attitude and determination you look for at the quarterback position. He is physically and mentally tough, and can endure the challenges a quarterback faces, day in, and day out...He is a quarterback with great promise in our league," McManus said in a statement.

As for Etienne, the Riders acquire a receiver the Bombers drafted fourth overall in 2011 but who mostly disappointed in three seasons with the Bombers. Etienne finishes his time in Winnipeg with 20 catches