Texans QB C.J. Stroud Wins Fan-Voted Rookie Of The Year; Preview of Things To Come?

C.J. Stroud has won the Pepsi Rookie of the Year Award, as voted by the fans. Is this win a preview of what is to come at the NFL Honors Awards on Thursday?

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud was awarded the Fan-Voted Rookie of the Year Award on Thursday, the team announced.

Stroud made a strong case to be for the award after He threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and only five interceptions while leading the once-downtrodden Texans to an AFC South title. 

The Texans star won the award over Los Angeles Rams receiver Puka Nacua, who also had a historic first NFL season. The fifth-round pick out of BYU came out of nowhere to set NFL rookie records with 105 receptions and 1,486 receiving yards.

Houston Texans wide receiver John Metchie III (8) shakes hands with quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) during a time out to check for a touchdown run during the second quarter against the Carolina Panthers at Bank of America Stadium / Jim Dedmon-USA TODAY Sports

“First and foremost, I want to give all glory and praise to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,” Stroud said. “I’d also like to thank my family and friends for their unwavering love and support. Also, I wouldn’t have had the success I did this year without my teammates and coaches. It’s a blessing to be named the 2023 Pepsi Zero Sugar Rookie of the Year, especially considering all of the great players in my rookie class that were also nominated along with those that have won the honor before me. Thank you to the fans who took the time to vote for me. We’re excited about what we’re building in Houston and this is just the beginning.”

And with Stroud taking home the award voted on by the fans, could this be a preview of things to come for the NFL AP Rookie of the Year Award during the NFL Honors Show on Thursday night?

Most betting sites already have Stroud as the heavy favorite to win the award, with Nacua as a distant second. Meanwhile the other candidates - Bijan Robinson, Jahmyr Gibbs, and Sam Laporta - are even further behind Nacua.

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And considering Stroud has already taken home multiple other offensive Rookie of the Year honors from various outlets, he seems like even more of a sure bet to win the biggest one of them all on Thursday night.

Even Nacua himself has been in awe of Stroud throughout the year. 

“I know C.J. and I love watching him ball," Nacua said. "Especially even at the Pro Bowl, some of the throws he makes are absolutely ridiculous. I think the freestyle and the confidence he plays with is something I love watching, just the play style that he has. I’m excited either way. To be in that conversation as a wide receiver, the year I had, it was a blessing no matter what. I had a lot of fun and I’m not really too worried about it.”

The official winners of the award will be announced on Thursday night during the NFL Honors Awards show, which airs at 6 pm PT.