Praise for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud continues to pour out of the NFL woodwork. After an Offensive Rookie of the Year-caliber regular season, Stroud had a huge playoff debut in the Texans’ 45-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the wild card.
Stroud’s performances – both during the regular season and now in the playoffs – were so impressive that veteran quarterback and Stroud’s backup Case Keenum made a bold declaration this week to The Athletic’s Kalyn Kahler.
“I think he’s gonna be the best of all time,” Keenum said. “Like, he truly has the ability to be that way. … I know, it’s very early to say that sort of stuff. But, man, he does some stuff that is just out of this world.
“I can count on maybe one hand the things that he’s missed this entire year.”
Keenum is an 11-year NFL veteran who’s played with a lot of quarterbacks for several teams over his years, including MVP candidate Josh Allen of the Buffalo Bills. So to say that Stroud, in his first NFL season, could join the ranks of guys like Peyton Manning, Tom Brady or Patrick Mahomes is perhaps the highest praise any quarterback to give to another.
He isn’t alone in this assessment, though. Plenty of Stroud’s teammates had similar things to say about their quarterback.
“Seven [Stroud’s number] is special,” wide receiver Nico Collins said.
“The dude is unbelievable,” tight end Brevin Jordan said, “… You can tell from training camp that he was a captain and a QB1, since like Day 2. You could tell how he moved, like how he walks around the locker room and talks to guys. When you have a humble, confident guy who loves to work, the sky’s the limit.”
“What C.J. has been doing on the field is bringing the city out, man,” running back Dameon Pierce added. “It’s amazing to be a part of,”
Stroud has set the bar astronomically high for himself after just 15 games in the NFL And while his rookie year may not end in Super Bowl glory, Stroud has already proven he can hang with the best in the business.
He’ll get another shot at glory against the No. 1-seeded Baltimore Ravens and they’re No. 1-ranked defense. A good showing in this game could turn Stroud into a legend almost overnight.