‘You’re going to meet some of the best people you’ve ever met up there [in Winnipeg]’
Chris Streveler is back in the CFL after growing weary of playing the waiting game south of the border.
The six-foot-one, 216-pound quarterback signed a one-year deal with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers on Wednesday, returning to where he began his pro football career in 2018.
And he’s back following stints with four different NFL teams after helping the Bombers end their dubious 29-year Grey Cup drought in 2019.
“It was kind of one of those things where I wasn’t getting a ton of real looks anymore,” Streveler told reporters Thursday during a video conference. “I’ve been home since August … I’ve been training, waiting for a call for 18 weeks and it just got to the point where I was kind of tired of playing that game.
“Everyone knows how much respect I have for this [CFL] game and the players up north and, of course, my love for Winnipeg. It was dry on the NFL side and I was like, ‘let’s do it.’ I just want to play ball and fortunately was able to get the opportunity here. I’m beyond excited about it.”
Over the last four years, Streveler was with the Arizona Cardinals (2020-21), Baltimore Ravens (2021), Miami Dolphins (2022) and New York Jets (2022). Despite a solid showing during the pre-season, Streveler began the season on New York’s practice roster before completing 10-of-15 passes for 90 yards and rushing nine times for 54 yards in relief of Zach Wilson in a 19-3 loss to Jacksonville on Dec 23.
Streveler re-signed with New York before last season but was released in August after being injured in a pre-season game versus Cleveland. Roughly a week later, Streveler and the Jets reached an injury settlement and he was released from injured reserve.
Streveler said he had NFL workouts — most notably with the San Francisco 49ers and Chicago Bears — but didn’t feel like they were serious opportunities.
“I’ve done enough of those where you can tell when it’s serious and it’s not as serious, and I was kind of getting that feeling,” he said. “After that [Bears] workout I called my agent and was like, ‘if there’s something real that comes down the pipeline let me know.’
“At this time I’m going to start looking at other opportunities and, of course, other opportunities for me start with the CFL.”
Streveler opened the 2018 season as Winnipeg’s starter following the retirement of veteran Darian Durant and an injury to Matt Nichols. He was also forced back into the starting lineup in 2019 when Nichols was hurt, posting a 3-5 record, but helped Winnipeg win the Grey Cup.
And it was during the 2019 Grey Cup parade that Streveler earned cult status in Winnipeg. A shirtless Streveler, chomping on a cigar, celebrated while wearing a huge fur coat and cowboy hat.
“It’s a gritty city and they love football,” he said. “You’re not going to go to Winnipeg for vacation by any means but you’re going to meet some of the best people you’ve ever met up there.
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