Just last season, it seemed like the Houston Texans had found the next superstar.
C.J. Stroud had a rookie season for the ages.
If it wasn’t for a brief absence, he would’ve most likely shattered all rookie quarterback’s records.
More than that, he led an epic turnaround for the franchise, even winning a playoff game and holding his own in a playoff loss.
That’s why his confidence was at an all-time high before the start of his sophomore year.
In a resurfaced and now-viral clip, he ranked himself above the likes of Josh Allen or Jalen Hurts.
CJ Stroud ranked himself above Josh Allen and Jalen Hurts last year:
1. Patrick Mahomes
2. Lamar Jackson
3. (Himself)
4. Dak Prescott
5. Jalen HurtsThis aged HORRIBLY ? pic.twitter.com/tCO38WfN6e
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) December 28, 2024
He called himself the third-best quarterback in the league, right below Patrick Mahomes and Lamar Jackson.
That was a big stretch there, but it seemed like he could actually have that kind of season.
Fast forward to today, and that take hasn’t aged well.
Stroud has regressed significantly this season.
He’s completed just under 63% of his passes for 3,677 passing yards, 19 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions.
He already has more than twice the picks he had as a rookie (5).
That’s despite having an improved supporting cast around him.
Whether the league caught up to him or it’s just due to his struggling offensive line, the Texans might not be so sure about their franchise quarterback anymore.
We’ve seen this happen multiple times in the past.
Hopefully, he won’t be another one-year wonder, as the Texans looked like a team on the rise that would compete at a high level for years to come.
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