Argos bench McLeod Bethel-Thompson for Nick Arbuckle against Bombers

Toronto Argonauts head coach Ryan Dinwiddie decided to change quarterbacks mid-game against the Winnipeg Blue Bombers.

After McLeod Bethel-Thompson missed a wide open deep ball intended for DaVaris Daniels — it was a sure touchdown if completed — Dinwiddie put him on the bench and called on Nick Arbuckle in the third quarter.

Up to that point, Bethel-Thompson completed 10-of-20 passes for 70 yards with no touchdowns and no interceptions as the double blue were being shutout by the Bombers.

Arbuckle went right to work on his first drive of the season, completing his first four passes for 30 yards on a possession that was capped by a 30-yard touchdown run from John White. The major put Toronto within three, 10-7.

According to 3DownNation insider Justin Dunk, Arbuckle signed a one-year contract for the 2021 season with the Argos, which could be worth $325,000 and included a $150,000 signing bonus. He has a $109,000 base salary, plus $12,000 in available housing payments and $3,000 per game in playtime incentives.

The Georgia State University product only has seven games starting experience from his time with the Calgary Stampeders, posting a 4-3 record while stepping in for the injured Bo Levi Mitchell. He made a compelling case to be the CFL’s next breakout quarterback, passing for 2,103 yards, eleven touchdowns, and five interceptions.

That success came with Dinwiddie, then Calgary’s offensive coordinator, calling plays and the two are already on the same page with the Argos.