CFL Grey Cup champion Chris Streveler talks Davis Alexander, Zach Collaros and the Blue Bombers

Nov 24, 2019. Calgary, Alberta, CAN; Winnipeg Blue Bombers quarterback Chris Streveler celebrates their win over the Hamilton Tiger-Cats after the 107th Grey Cup Championship football game at McMahon Stadium. Sergei Belski/USA Today Sports

Alouettes quarterback Davis Alexander is the runaway favorite to win Most Outstanding Player of the CFL this season. Montreal is 10-2 and the 27-year-old has thrown for 3,954 yards with 25 touchdowns and only two interceptions on 10.1 yards per attempt. Alexander went undrafted out of Portland State in 2022, but if ever NFL teams will show interest, it will be this offseason.

While Alexander has said it would need to be the perfect opportunity for him to consider the NFL, an ex-CFL QB who made the jump told Casino Guru Canada that Alexander needs to take the chance if it becomes available this winter.

"I would advise everybody to go for it if you have the opportunity," said Chris Streveler, who had a multi-year NFL career with the Cardinals, Jets, Ravens and Dolphins after winning a Grey Cup with the Winnipeg Blue Bombers in 2019. "Look, in the CFL, those opportunities are going to be there. I hate to say it like that, but the NFL is only going to call once. If you don’t do it, you’re not going to get that call again."

Streveler saw NFL game action in 2020, 2021 and 2022 and eventually made his way back to the CFL with Winnipeg in 2024 after his NFL career fizzled out.

"I am so big on leaving no stone unturned, having no regrets," Streveler said. "It’s one of those things where if you don’t take that opportunity, you may look back and say, ‘Ah, maybe I could’ve, maybe I should’ve.’ I don’t want to say coulda, shoulda. I want to say I tried and this is how it played out. That’s the stuff that allows you to be able to sleep at night.

"I hope Davis gets that opportunity because I do believe he can make it happen. Even if you go down there for a year and get released, there’s going to be an opportunity to come back and play ball again."

Streveler: Alexander ‘deserves’ NFL shot

It has been a steady ascent for Alexander with the Alouettes, starting as a backup in 2022 and eventually turning into a star. When asked if he deserves an NFL opportunity, Streveler says yes.

"I think he deserves it," Streveler said. "I’m in a very unique position because I’ve been the guy that’s done that. I always tell the guys, you just have to be in the right place at the right time and ready to capitalize on the opportunity.

"I’ll be the first to tell you there are a ton of great quarterbacks in the CFL that can come down to the NFL and stick around, do what I did. You just have to get the right opportunity and take advantage. If they get a fair shake, they can make it happen, and I think Davis is one of those guys."

Streveler is friends with Alexander, as they have trained together in Arizona the past several years.

"I’ve gotten to know Davis very well," Streveler said. "He lives in Scottsdale in the offseason so he’s been training with us for about three years, and I worked extensively with him this offseason. He attacks every day, and I think it’s very easy to see why he has success.

"The intensity, the attention to detail, the sense of urgency when he’s training is elite. I’m a big believer in how you do anything is how you do everything. How you’re training with me at Scottsdale Sports Complex on April 2 is going to carry over to the East Conference Final in November. I firmly believe that, and I think we’re seeing that."

NFL interest will be apparent soon

Streveler said 10 different NFL teams wanted to work him out after the 2019 season. He said the interest became apparent about two-thirds of the way through the campaign. If the timeline holds true for Alexander, NFL teams will be contacting him soon.

"Teams start reaching out to your agent, and a lot of teams do these workouts in December or January," Streveler said. "The CFL season is going to run until the middle or end of November, so at that point you’ve got a couple weeks to turn things around."

After going through the experience himself, Streveler is more than happy to guide Alexander and any others who secure NFL tryouts.

"Players will generally know by the end of the season if those opportunities are going to be there," Streveler said. "That’s why I have started reaching out to these guys now, and part of what I want to be is a resource for these guys. I want to say, ‘Hey, man, as you navigate this process, let me help you through my experience, so you can make better decisions and have just as much or more success than I did.’"

Streveler: Blue Bombers ‘very talented’ on paper

Streveler is a fan favorite in Winnipeg after his stints with the team and has been keeping a close eye on the Blue Bombers, who are 6-6 on the season. While it’s been a topsy-turvy campaign, he sees a group that can make some noise if everything comes together late in the year.

Winnipeg is currently tied for third place in the West Division with the BC Lions and is battling for a playoff spot.

"It’s been an interesting year," Streveler said. "They’ve showed you at times what they can be. In certain halves of football, they are rolling. And then it kind of just falls off. It’s been an inconsistent thing, not quite being able to put together a three-phase football game. When you look at this team on paper, I keep saying how talented I think they are. I think they are very talented, but it’s putting it all together."

Streveler: Collaros not to blame for struggles

Streveler played alongside fellow quarterback Zach Collaros for the Blue Bombers in 2024 and 2025. Collaros is 38 years old and a longtime fixture in the league. He has a quarterback rating of 103.9 on the season, which is a tick above his career average.

Collaros has missed some time due to injury but Streveler believes his performance on the field remains strong.

"I love Zach," Streveler said. "We had such a good relationship when I was there. I learned a lot from him, and he’s just a pleasure to be around on the field and in the locker room. Look, Father Time is undefeated, but I don’t think he’s the reason for the inconsistency.

"Everyone takes accountability for when you’re not winning games, saying, ‘Hey, there were some throws here, a couple reads, that I want back.’ No one is ever going to play perfect, and when you’re not winning football games, it’s easy for people to try to point their finger, especially at the quarterback. I’m sure he’d be the first to tell you he’s not playing perfect, but he’s playing good enough to go win football games still, and that’s all you can ask for. He’s won a ton of football games for that team and he puts them in position consistently to win games."

Streveler details burgeoning broadcasting career

After a long run in the CFL and NFL, Streveler retired this offseason after back-to-back years with torn ACLs. He has hit the ground running as an analyst. His ‘See It Like Strev’ YouTube channel breaks down both the CFL and NFL, and Streveler recently announced he would be working with DAZN as a football commentator.

"It’s been super fun to see the reception from lots of CFL players and fans, understanding there are not a lot of people doing what I’m doing for that league," Streveler said. "And then I’m also starting to jump into some NFL stuff, covering that league as well. My experience is unique and relatable. Hopefully I get some more opportunities doing that and staying around the game, because it’s been fun."

While he is better-known in the CFL landscape, Streveler knows the NFL has a larger reach, so he is aiming to analyze both leagues for the foreseeable future.

"With their media rights expanding next year in the CFL, that league is continuing to grow and searching for more visibility in the States and internationally, and across Canada as well," Streveler said. "So I think there are going to be opportunities for that.

"The NFL is a bigger market, right? I want to continue that, even if I am broadcasting for the CFL. I want to continue with the NFL content. I think there are going to be opportunities with both leagues. I know I’m going to be busy, but I prefer to be busy."

Streveler has been doing all the back-end work for his YouTube channel, including booking guests, creating thumbnails and uploading the shows. He says it’s been a valuable experience as he launches this new career path.

"I’m doing everything myself, brother," Streveler said. "This is a one-man show. It’s a lot of work and I’m learning a lot. There is going to be a point where I have to outsource, but right now as I’m building everything up and working to monetize it, it makes sense to get my hands dirty a little bit. And then when I do go to outsource, I’ll know what I’m talking about and know what I’m looking for.

"I kind of have a vibe and a structure that I’ve already built. I’ve done a lot of partnerships with different businesses, and I’m like, ‘You know what? This is me. I’m going to get as far as I possibly can on my own. And obviously there are people that are helping me. I have people that have done content extremely well, and they are giving me their time and their thoughts for free, which I can’t even tell you how much I appreciate that. Because I’m not a content guy. I’m a football guy. But I’m learning."