It is hard to believe that a Colts legend could be a fan of a rising star on the Houston Texans, but this is exactly the case with Peyton Manning and C.J. Stroud.
In a recent appearance on The Pat McAfee Show, Manning gave Stroud his flowers after an outstanding rookie season in 2023.
“He went out and dominated as a rookie…That division kind of goes through Houston…I’m a big fan of Stroud,” Manning said.
“CJ Stroud went out and dominated as a rookie and I’m a big fan of him..
I’m all on the Colts bandwagon but we gotta do something about these other teams in the AFC South” ~ Peyton Manning #PMSLive pic.twitter.com/P7R59moaac
— Pat McAfee (@PatMcAfeeShow) July 18, 2024
It is safe to say that the former Ohio State Buckeye is one of the great, young quarterbacks in the NFL.
The 22-year-old was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and earned a Pro Bowl trip after throwing for over 4,000 yards and 23 touchdowns.
He set multiple NFL records last season, including the most passing attempts to start a career without an interception (191) and most passing yards in a game by any rookie quarterback (470).
Stroud also is the youngest quarterback in league history to ever win a playoff game.
Heading into the 2024 season, the offensive arsenal around him in Houston is quite stacked.
The team traded for All-Pro wide receiver Stefon Diggs earlier this offseason, and they already have another 1,000-yard receiver in Nico Collins.
Young Tank Dell and former Super Bowl champion Robert Woods are other key options for Stroud in the passing game.
Former Bengals Pro Bowl back Joe Mixon could provide Houston with a quality ground game in 2024.
This whole offense is built around Stroud, who is ready to help get this team beyond the AFC Divisional Round this year and beyond.
