MANZIEL TO MONTREAL

The Hamilton Tiger-Cats announced Sunday that the football club has acquired national defensive end Jamaal Westerman, international wide receiver Chris Williams and two first-round draft selections (2020, 2021) from the Montreal Alouettes in exchange for international quarterback Johnny Manziel, international offensive lineman Tony Washington and national offensive lineman Landon Rice.
Westerman, 33, has appeared in five games with the Alouettes this season, posting 19 defensive tackles and three quarterback sacks. In 52 career CFL games with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2015-17) and Alouettes (2018), the 6-3, 249-pound native of Brooklyn, New York, has registered 137 defensive tackles, 35 quarterback sacks and four forced fumbles. In 2015, he ranked second in the CFL with 17 sacks and first among CFL defensive linemen with 61 tackles, while being named both a CFL and West-Division All-Star, and the West Division’s Most Outstanding Canadian.Prior to joining the CFL, Westerman appeared in 58 career National Football League games with the New York Jets (2009-11), Arizona Cardinals (2012), Indianapolis Colts (2012), Buffalo Bills (2013) and Pittsburgh Steelers (2013). The Rutgers University product collected 62 combined tackles, six quarterback sacks, one forced fumble and four fumble recoveries during his NFL career.
Williams, 30, has suited up in four games with Montreal this season, hauling in 15 receptions for 283 yards and a touchdown. In 76 career CFL games with the Tiger-Cats (2011-12), Ottawa Redblacks (2015-16), B.C. Lions (2017) and Alouettes (2018), the 5-9, 155-pound native of Rio Rancho, New Mexico, has recorded 371 receptions for 5,520 yards and 34 touchdowns, 15 carries for 64 rushing yards, 165 punt returns for 1,668 yards and five touchdowns, 23 kick returns for 457 yards and one touchdown, and seven missed field goal returns for 292 yards and one touchdown.
In 2011, Williams was voted the CFL rookie of the Year before being named the CFL’s Most Outstanding Special Team Player and a CFL All-Star in 2012. The New Mexico State University product has been named to the CFL East Division All-Star team four times (2011, 2012, 2015, 2016) and won the Grey Cup in 2016 with the Ottawa Redblacks. He has also spent time in the NFL with the Miami Dolphins (2009), Cleveland Browns (2009), New Orleans Saints (2013) and Chicago Bears (2013-14).