Former CFL quarterback Chris Streveler wants to secure his NFL retirement package.
Streveler has spent two seasons south of the border since signing with the Arizona Cardinals in February 2020. He needs to be active for six more games to obtain his NFL pension, which is part of the reason why the 27-year-old has continued to be focused on staying in the NFL.
NFL players need to accrue three seasons to become vested for an NFL pension, which provides $19,800 USD annually for life. Compensation is supposed to increase to $22,000 USD annually in 2025 based on expected upward trends in league revenue.
The six-foot-one, 216-pound passer has earned $1.16 million USD during two years in the NFL and securing the pension could be a safety net for his future. He inked a contract with the New York Jets in advance of training camp in hopes of adding to his NFL earnings by making the final 53-man roster or practice squad.
Streveler faces an uphill battle to remain with the Jets when the 2022 regular season begins because New York currently has second overall pick Zach Wilson, Super Bowl champion Joe Flacco, and Mike White under contract. White started three games last year, though his deal did not include any guaranteed money, so there’s a chance (albeit a small one) that he could be unseated for the third-string job.
What’s most important for Streveler is the opportunity to play in the preseason and put fresh game reps on film for NFL teams to evaluate. Fans should keep an eye on the Jets’ third and final exhibition game against the New York Giants as he’s expected to see snaps. Other franchises checked in on the athletic pivot during the offseason, which means interest remains in his services.
NFL preseason games are sometimes viewed as meaningless, but each play carries meaning for players like Streveler looking to secure their futures one way or another in the four-down league. If he can show improvement as a passer, that would bode well for his chances to stick on a roster and accumulate the six active games needed to tap into the pension.
No matter what happens in August, don’t expect Streveler to be on a CFL field in 2022 as he exhausts every possible NFL opportunity.
