It should come as no surprise that Bombers’ quarterback Chris Streveler has probably retired. While he previously was not ruling out a return to professional football (after he retore his ACL in his left knee), it appears that journey has come to an end.

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Before I go on and mention why I am not surprised, I want to take a moment and give Streveler the credit he deserves. He helped the Bombers, in 2019 snap their Grey Cup drought. Remember, in 2019 Matt Nichols was the Bombers’ starting quarterback. And then he got injured and Streveler had to come in. Sure, Streveler only went 3-5 but that was enough to get the Bombers into the playoffs. From there they would go on to win the Grey Cup. And for comparison sake, I do not think the Bombers could have gone 3-5 in 2025 without their starting quarterback.

Here is why this (probable) retirement does not surprise me. In January of this year I asked the question:
Where? “It is all good if a player wants to keep playing…but they have to find a team that will sign them. And even if the rehab goes great for Streveler, finding a team that wants him might be the hardest part. The NFL window has closed on him; he tried it and it did not work. And look, he did not do himself any favours in 2025…6 passing touchdowns to 11 interceptions is not going to excite any CFL team. It was so bad that the Bombers actually came up with a game plan for him that included not throwing the football. How can Streveler or his agent approach any team and convince them that he has something to offer?”

And in more recent weeks I wrote about how the Bombers’ backup quarterback situation (or lack thereof) is still a major issue. “The Bombers were hoping that after the NFL window closed on Canadian QB Taylor Elgersma, that he would come to Winnipeg…but not so fast! On January 13th, Elgersma was selected by Birmingham Stallions in 2026 UFL Quarterback Draft. Canada’s Taylor Elgersma drafted by Birmingham in UFL Draft It appears that he has not given up on the NFL dream, and one can hardly blame him.”

Let us not forget that in 2025 the Bombers had Patterson, and Dolegala, but released both of them before the 2025 season began. That did not work out so well, as Wilson must have been so bad that the Bombers did not want to put him in a quarterback. Do not forget, that was even after the Bombers thought so little of Streveler’s throwing ability that they came up with a game plan where he was not supposed to throw the ball!

So Now What?
Here is who the Bombers currently have at quarterback.

If you are a Bomber fan, or Bomber management, are you comfortable with that? Here, I showed all the quarterbacks Winnipeg could have gone after in the legal tampering window, before free agency.

Well, now it appears that the Bombers are at least looking at MacLeod Bethel Thompson.

Maybe you do not like that choice. I am not sure that I love it either. But what is apparent from the text is that Kyle Walters realizes that they do not have a solid number two quarterback that they are completely confident in.

Looking Forward
Some of what Walters and O’Shea say, you have to take with a grain of salt. O’Shea is never going to give you much and never throw his players under the bus. But there were some things said after the CFL combine that we should absolutely stop and take stock of.

“Here’s O’Shea when asked if Wilson has the inside track on UFL vet Bryce Perkins and former Auburn/Michigan State starter Payton Thorne, both of whom are under contract:

“There’s always competition but absolutely he’s going to have a leg up just because he understands or has a greater perspective of the CFL game — defences, structures, defensive structures, how we run an offence up in the CFL, the motions — all those things. It’s natural that he’s going to be slightly ahead or quite far ahead on the situation just because of his time with us.

“But there’s always competition. It’s pro sports.” (Source)

Really?! Wilson, who I mentioned earlier, could not get in the game in 2025 has a leg up on Perkins? That is not encouraging at all! Either, the Bombers completely mismanaged the quarterback room in 2025 (which is totally conceivable), or Perkins is worse (at least at this point) than Wilson.

Still Waiting For Elgersma?
Here is some more of what Walters said in his interview:
“Walters was asked about bringing in a veteran with CFL experience — McLeod Bethel-Thompson’s name did come up in the question — but said they have a list if need be, while also waiting on Taylor Elgersma, the 2025 second-round draft pick who is currently with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL.

“I talked to Fred (Weinrauch, Elgersma’s Canadian agent) last night and I think they’re still trying to work through the work permit thing down there and I’m not sure how that’s all going to shake down. Still kind of an unknown.

“… Each time we talk about it there’s a lot of uncertainty, and I still think there’s uncertainty but the clock is ticking, you’re right. Each one of these conversations, it seems it’s getting less and less likely. But as I said, we’ve still got a few weeks to sort it out.”

WAIT? ‘If need be?’ Trust me, there is a need and that need is right now! If they truly have a list as Walters said, they should be calling every quarterback on that list! And while they are at it, stop waiting for Elgresma! CFL contracts are not guaranteed; stack that quarterback room now and then figure it out.

Either the Bombers are being a little bit cute, or they are blind to how bad the backup quarterback situation currently is. If the Bombers were confident at all they they already have a quality number two quarterback, the would not be talking about waiting for Elgersma, they would not be talking about MBT, and they certainly would not be talking about a list.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section wherever you are reading this. Catch all my articles here.