Former Winnipeg Blue Bombers’ quarterback Chris Streveler is eyeing a return to the CFL in 2024.
The news was first reported by Jeff Hamilton of the Winnipeg Free Press, who shared that the Bombers are the frontrunners for the six-foot-one, 216-pound passer’s services despite other suitors. The team has reportedly begun preliminary talks with their former pivot.
Streveler has been a free agent since August when he was waived by the New York Jets following a lacklustre preseason performance in which he suffered an injury to his throwing thumb. He did not see any action this season but recently worked out for the Chicago Bears.
The 29-year-old quarterback was a last-minute addition to the Jets’ training camp in 2022 but captured national attention during the preseason, leading the team to three consecutive victories. He completed 24-of-33 passes for 277 yards, five touchdowns, and one interception while running the ball nine times for 71 yards in what head coach Robert Saleh dubbed “one of the greatest preseasons in the history of football,” though was still released as part of final roster cuts. He later rejoined the team on the practice roster.
The native of Naperville, Ill. spent the majority of the 2022 season on the Jets’ practice squad, though he was elevated to the active roster on three separate occasions. The dual-threat pivot came off the bench late in the third quarter against the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 16, completing 10-of-15 passes for 90 yards while adding a team-high nine carries for 54 yards on the ground in his only action of the year.
The Jets elevated Streveler again a week later, though he did not take any snaps under centre. The move officially vested the quarterback in the NFL pension plan, 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.
Streveler previously saw action in seven games over two seasons with the Arizona Cardinals (2020-21) and completed 17-of-25 pass attempts for 141 yards, one touchdown, and one interception with seven carries for 21 yards. The dual-threat passer later had stints with the Baltimore Ravens and the Miami Dolphins but did not see game action.
The fan favourite rose to prominence in the CFL amid two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers (2018-19) during which he completed 65 percent of his passes for 2,698 yards, 19 touchdowns and 19 interceptions. He also rushed for 1,167 yards and 22 touchdowns, averaging 5.7 yards per carry.
Streveler was especially effective during Winnipeg’s championship run in 2019, rushing for 82 yards and a touchdown in the West Semi-Final before throwing a touchdown pass to Andrew Harris in the Grey Cup.
Winnipeg will open their 2024 season on Thursday, June 6 when they host the Montreal Alouettes.
