Chris Streveler will get his shot with an NFL team after playing two years in the Canadian Football League.
Streveler, a 2013 Marian Central graduate who grew up in Crystal Lake, signed a contract for a futures deal with the Arizona Cardinals on Tuesday. The team’s website AZCardinals.com announced the signing Tuesday afternoon.
As a futures player, Streveler does not count against the Cardinals’ 53-man roster or salary cap for the upcoming season. He also cannot be claimed by another team.
Streveler played two seasons with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers as their backup quarterback. He was often used in packages that best suited his running ability. The Blue Bombers won the CFL’s Grey Cup last season; Streveler was 3 of 3 passing for 39 yards and a touchdown, and ran nine times for 30 yards in that game. He also caught a pass for 13 yards.
Streveler (6-foot-1, 215 pounds) is seen as a player who might be used in special packages, the way the New Orleans Saints use backup quarterback Taysom Hill, sometimes at receiver, tight end or as running quarterback.
The 25-year-old was named as the Northwest Herald Football Player of the Year in 2011 and 2012. He played two seasons at Minnesota, completing his degree in three years, then transferred to South Dakota, where he played two more years.
Coincidentally, Arizona has another Crystal Lake product on its roster in linebacker Dennis Gardeck, an undrafted free agent who made the team. Gardeck has been with the Cardinals as a special teams standout and backup linebacker for two seasons.