QB bench Zach Wilson for Chris Streiefler in a game against the Jaguars
Given his performance this season, putting Zach Wilson on the bench is no longer a news flash.
But the quarterback who came to the New York Jets was a bit of a surprise.
The Jets activated Chris Streveler prior to Thursday night’s game against the Jacksonville Jaguars, giving the Jets three starting quarterbacks (Wilson and Joe Flacco, who was listed as a backup).
Wilson’s struggles came to a head in the third quarter, and New York’s postseason hopes slumped with each down, booed across MetLife Stadium. Jets coach Robert Salih decided to give former Canadian Football League champion Streveler a chance with his 16-3 losing team.
The decision didn’t immediately change the Jets’ fortunes, but Streveler did at least push the Jets down the field before their spin waned and, more importantly, gave the home crowd that persevered through the rain and wind something to cheer about.
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Streveler returned to the field after the Jaguars’ ensuing series failure. Wilson’s final streak: 9-for-18 for 92 yards with 1 interception. He was sacked three times.
Despite the Jets failing to score with him under center, Streveler nearly duplicated Wilson’s passing streak in just over a quarter of work. He finished 10-for-15 for 90 yards, scoring 82.6 QB vs. Wilson’s 41.9.
The Jaguars won the game, 19-3.
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Who is Chris Striveler?
An Illinois native, Striveler began his collegiate career with Minnesota, where he played for three seasons.
The 6-foot-1, 217-pound caller transferred to South Dakota for his last two seasons and went undrafted in the 2018 draft. He signed with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers and spent two seasons in the CFL, winning the Gray Cup with Winnipeg in 2019.
From there, Streffler signed with the Arizona Cardinals and made his NFL debut on September 13, 2020. He was waived by the Cardinals in November 2021 and spent the rest of the season on the Baltimore Ravens practice squad.
The Miami Dolphins signed him in February of this year and cut him out three months later.
Chris Striveler joins the New York Jets
Streveler signed with the Jets at the start of training camp and impressed during the preseason.
In three games, he finished with 277 yards, a 72.7 completion percentage, five touchdowns, and a 120.9 passer rating, while throwing two touchdown passes.
The Jets waived him before the start of the regular season but he returned to the practice squad.
What Jets coach Robert Saleh said after the match
Salih cited his desire to “light up the running game” as the reason for bringing Striveller into the game. Streveler rushed for a team-high 54 yards on nine carries Thursday night.
“One thing led to another,” Saleh said, “we kindled a spark and just wanted to keep it going.” “It was supposed to be a change in the beginning.”
Salih said he feels Wilson has “improved” since he came back “but obviously we had to show that on the football field. But, again, this is a team thing. It starts with training. Either way, it just wasn’t that close.” Good enough for today.”
What Zack Wilson said after the match
“Right now, I feel like I have to put my head down and try to get better with these guys,” Wilson said after the game. “That’s my kind of message to them out there. I’m trying to give them my all. I’m trying to put it out there for you guys and it’s just not good enough. I have to put them in a better position.”
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