Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud Reveals 'Blessed' Relationship With Carolina Panthers' Bryce Young

C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young go way back in the game of football, and that story will gain a new chapter on Sunday.

Sunday will not be the first meeting on the gridiron for C.J. Stroud and Bryce Young. In fact, that journey began in middle school.

Stroud and Young faced off in their early days and then in seven-on-seven competitions in high school before either quarterback reached the college level and then the NFL. Now, the two rookie quarterbacks will go head-to-head this week for the first time at the professional level, but their relationship is cherished by the Houston Texans' Stroud entering this week.

"That's my brother, man," Stroud said. "Somebody I have a lot of respect for. Known him since like middle school. Got really close after high school. I'm always rooting for him, and I know he's always rooting for me too."

Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud (left) and Carolina Panthers QB Bryce Young (right).  / FanStreamSports.com

Since joining the league, Stroud has had more success on the field than Young, at least from a win-loss perspective. The Texans sit with a 3-3 record while Young's Carolina Panthers have yet to record a win this season. Stroud knows, however, that Young possesses a lot of talent, and while he hopes to pick up another win this week, the support between these competitors is something special.

"It's a blessing to know that we're from the same area and grew up knowing each other," Stroud said. "It's cool just to see somebody as their journey has gone from high school to college to the league, and it's a blessing to have a brother like that to go through the same type of pressures and things like that. We talk a lot about things like that in. the offseason. It's a blessing to have somebody like that in my life."

So far this year, Stroud has thrown for 1,660 yards and nine scores compared to Young's line of 967 yards and six touchdowns. The duo have combined to throw five interceptions, one of which belongs to Stroud.

The Texans and Panthers are scheduled to kick off at 12 p.m. CT on Sunday, and the game will be televised on FOX.