The 31-year-old quarterback signed a one-year deal this month with Calgary. The Stampeders will be Shiltz’s third team in just his seventh CFL season following stops with Montreal (2017-19, 2021) and Hamilton (2022-23).
“I think if you talk to any pro, regardless of where they are in their career, what they all strive for is to find a place to call home and settle down,” Shiltz said during a telephone interview. “But at the same time it’s professional football and you know what you sign up for when you take that leap, especially to come to the CFL.
“I’d love to have that sense of security but at the same time you have to keep on showing up every day until you get that. And then show up even more when that opportunity does come.
The six-foot-two, 205-pound Shiltz has predominantly been a backup in Canada but he started seven regular-season games and a playoff contest while with Hamilton. Last season, he appeared in 11 regular-season games (three starts, winning two) while completing 108-of-161 passes (67.1 per cent) for 1,556 yards with seven touchdowns and five interceptions — all career highs.
Shiltz, of St. Charles, Ill., also rushed 23 times for 160 yards (7.0-yard average) and a touchdown. His attempts and yards were also career highs.