CJ Stroud, the Houston Texans’ quarterback, was without a doubt the finest rookie in the NFL last season. His Rookie of the Year award is a clear endorsement of this.
Stroud wowed fans, colleagues, and analysts alike by leading an unlikely Texans team all the way to the playoffs — and then making some noise once there. During the AFC Wild Card Round, Stroud ripped up a feared Browns defence 45-14. He finished 16/21 for 274 yards and three touchdowns.
But Stroud feels that even without the “rookie” qualifier next to his name, his first-year resume ranks among the NFL’s current generation of elite signal callers.
Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud believes he is already among the NFL’s best.
Stroud was among the celebrities who attended Radio Row at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas during Super Bowl week. During a recent interview on the “Zach Gelb Show,” the Ohio State alum was asked if he considers himself one of the league’s top five quarterbacks. It’s safe to assume the dude does.
“Yes, Sir. I do. I think I captured it on film. I believe my numbers speak for themselves, especially after missing two games. I believe that if I hadn’t missed those two games, my numbers would have been comparable to or better than those of the league’s top players. I believe you can see the impact I had on my teammates.”
Stroud then stated that, aside from addressing Gelb’s inquiry, he isn’t the sort to debate over his position among his peers.
“I’m not in the business of debating over whether I’m in the top five. I honestly don’t care. “I mean, I just want to win,” Stroud explained.
Stroud also selected his top five quarterbacks: himself, Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen, Lamar Jackson, and either Tua Tagovailoa or Jalen Hurts.
CJ Stroud is poised for an even bigger breakout in year 2.
Stroud may only have one season under his belt, but the Texans quarterback has a strong argument for breaking into the top five next season. For some, Stroud may already be among their top five.
In 15 games for the Texans, Stroud passed for 4,1208 yards and 28 touchdowns against only 5 interceptions. Stroud has the best touchdown-to-pick ratio in the entire NFL. He finished seventh in the NFL in passing yards despite missing two games due to a lengthy concussion protocol.
If Stroud can build on his already solid foundation in Year 1, a top-5 finish appears to be within reach for the Texans’ rising star.
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