C.J. Stroud considers Jordan Love a good friend.
The two grew up in Southern California. They’re both represented by the same agent. Each path to the NFL saw its fair share of twists and turns.
Now, Stroud and Love are two of the NFL’s top young quarterbacks and MVP candidates entering their second season as full-time starters. Sunday’s matchup at Lambeau Field between the Houston Texans and Green Bay Packers could give an inside track for one young of the gunslingers to take control of the race for the league’s Most Valuable Player.
While Stroud and Love are friends off the field, they’ll be enemies on it Sunday afternoon. That might be the ultimate sign of respect.
“I think Jordan is a great dude. I think he’s a great quarterback,” Stroud said Wednesday. “He’s definitely a friend of mine and somebody who I look up to. And I think the way he’s handled his career has just been very professional and just always has a good attitude, a way to just turn.
#Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud on his journey and playing immediately as a rookie as opposed to #Packers Jordan Love waiting for his turn before getting the starting job @KPRC2 pic.twitter.com/L4dyGqhbgM
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) October 16, 2024
“For him to be able to play the way he’s playing now, especially off an injury, I think is just super-dope.”
Despite missing two games with a leg injury, Love hasn’t dropped pace in the hunt for the title of QB1. He’s second in passing touchdowns (12) and yards per game (282.8) while posting a 3-1 record under center.
Last season, Love took the league by storm, finishing second in touchdown passes (32) and 11th in passer rating (94.6). Stroud might have been the only player to outshine him after becoming the fifth rookie in league history to throw for over 4,000 passing yards in their first season.
The No. 2 overall pick also led the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio and passing yards per game.
“What he did last year was very, very impressive,” Love told reporters in Green Bay of Stroud’s rookie season. “You don’t see too many quarterbacks that come in and ball out the way he did. Definitely a testament to the work he’s put in to get there. I’m proud of him.”
Jordan Love said he’s good friends with C.J. Stroud and with Stroud being from California like Love, the Packers QB has been watching him since high school. They also share an agent.
Love said today he’s proud of what Stroud has already done in the NFL: pic.twitter.com/4BG4XnXfRM
— Matt Schneidman (@mattschneidman) October 16, 2024
Patrick Mahomes, Josh Allen. Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson are considered the “face” of young passers. Love and Stroud aren’t far behind after throwing for over 4,000 yards in Year 1 as starters.
The Texans are looking to extend their three-game winning streak and improve to 2-1 on the road. Green Bay could pick up its third consecutive win while touting one of the league’s top defenses.
Quarterbacks will be the headline for Sunday’s showdown. Respect could be the underlying story.