Last season, quarterback C.J. Stroud took the NFL by storm as a rookie, and he instantly made the Houston Texans, a franchise that has often sputtered in its two decades of existence, into winners.
He showed the ability to perform clutch heroics, and he led the Texans to a 10-7 record, an AFC South title and a blowout win over the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round of the playoffs just a year after they went 3-13-1.
As a result, expectations are now running high, both for the Texans and for Stroud individually.
Offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik threw some more logs onto the hype machine by comparing Stroud’s ability to function in the pocket and take what the defense gives him to the legendary Tom Brady, per Houston Stressans.
Bobby Slowik says TOM BRADY is the best comparison for CJ Stroud’s footwork in the pocket & ability to “take what the defense gives you” 😳
Mentions Brady, Brees & Peyton as guys they watch. Reminder that Slowik deserves credit for CJs development too. pic.twitter.com/74LBddW4H4
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) July 25, 2024
Brady, of course, is considered by most to be the greatest quarterback and player in NFL history, and everyone remembers how he would carve up opposing defenses like a Thanksgiving turkey.
Stroud was among the league leaders with 4,108 passing yards in 2023, and he helped make wide receivers Tank Dell and Nico Collins into studs.
The Ohio State University product could put up even better numbers this year with the addition of star wideout Stefon Diggs, who has made the Pro Bowl and posted over 1,150 receiving yards in each of the last four years.
The arrival of pass rusher Danielle Hunter, another four-time Pro Bowler, will also give Stroud more support and reduce the pressure on him to put up big numbers.
With a talented and relatively young roster, perhaps it’s only a matter of time before Stroud experiences something Brady made into a habit — winning the Vince Lombardi Trophy and Super Bowl MVP.
