G.O.A.T. Talk: Texans Quarterback C.J. Stroud Joins Historic Company in Rookie Season

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud isn't just accomplishing feats impressive for a rookie. What did he do to join just Tom Brady and Joe Montana in the record books?

Here’s a good rule of thumb for evaluating quarterbacks: If they are in the same sentence as Tom Brady and the 2007 New England Patriots offense, they’re probably doing something right.

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud has been all that was promised and more, delivering an AFC South title to H-Town in a debut season that has surpassed every expectation. He’s broken a handful of records, most of which pitted him against rookies of years past.

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To put Stroud’s season in perspective, though, it may be necessary to compare his 2023 campaign with some of the most famous in the history of the sport.

Throwing for 264 yards, two touchdowns, and no interceptions against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 18, Stroud became just the third player in league history to lead the league in passing yards per game (273.9) and touchdown/interception ratio (4.6) in the same season.

The other two? Brady in 2007 and San Francisco 49ers quarterback Joe Montana in 1989. Both went on to be named First-Team All-Pro while winning MVP and Offensive Player of the Year.

For all of Stroud’s successes, he’ll have to fall back on Offensive Rookie of the Year if he wants any hardware. The other two awards, and an All-Pro selection, are likely out of reach.

Even so, Houston has every reason to cherish its quarterback. He may not have been as dominant as the two passers once considered the greatest of all time, but they share many of the same traits.

Stroud is dastardly accurate and aggressive enough to test windows all over the field, yet safe enough with the football to keep the ball out of harm’s way. He limits turnovers without sacrificing volume or aggression, keeping the Texans lethal from anywhere on the field.

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In all, he finished his rookie season with 4,108 yards, 23 passing touchdowns, and five interceptions, having successfully accelerated Houston’s rebuild.

The next step? Following in the footsteps of those aforementioned legends and finding success in the playoffs. Hosting an elite Cleveland Browns defense on Saturday, he’ll have a chance to continue blazing a trail in Texas and round out his rookie year in style.