It wasn’t the first career start that Chris Streveler may have wanted, but the former Winnipeg Blue Bomber played quarterback for the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday.
After starting pivot Kyler Murray hobbled to the locker room following his team’s first series, Streveler took over in the red zone following a Cardinals interception and was credited with his first career TD pass on a shovel pass to running back Jonathan Ward on his second snap under centre.
Not your typical passing TD, but @cstrevy has his first!! pic.twitter.com/fQDfyGr7XB
— CFL (@CFL) January 3, 2021
The touchdown was where the success ended for Streveler in the first half. After struggling to gain any offensive traction, he attempted to get something going in the two minute drill but threw it right into the hands of Rams defender Troy Hill for an 84-yard pick six.
Troy Hill takes it back 84 yards. @RamsNFL take the lead! #RamsHouse
????: #AZvsLAR on CBS
????: NFL app // Yahoo Sports app: https://t.co/fohj8JnptQ pic.twitter.com/SddICNwSIl— NFL (@NFL) January 3, 2021
After struggling through the third quarter, an injured Murray returned to the game to replace his backup. Streveler finished the game 10-of-15 passing for 93 yards, one touchdown and one pick. He also added three carries for 12 yards and absorbed one strip sack that was recovered by a teammate.
Speculation had run rampant that Streveler would be at the controls this week after Murray was listed as questionable for the game with a lower leg injury. The No. 1 pick in the 2019 NFL Draft out of the University of Oklahoma ended up getting the nod but an early sack inflamed the injury.
The five-foot-ten, 207-pound passer has thrown for 3,884 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions through 15 games this season. He has also rushed for 816 yards and 11 scores on 131 carries, establishing himself as one of the NFL’s best dual-threat quarterbacks.
Streveler had taken two previous snaps this season, recording one carry for three yards in September. It was the first time a former CFL quarterback had recorded an NFL statistic since 2009.
The South Dakota product played two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and was especially effective during the team’s Grey Cup run in 2019. He rushed for 82 yards and a touchdown in the West Semi-Final in Calgary and threw a touchdown pass to Andrew Harris in the Grey Cup victory.
The Cardinals lost to the Rams 18-7 and missed the playoffs with an 8-8 record. That completes Streveler’s first season in the NFL.
