By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
Notification Show More
Latest News
Cam Ward has a message for NFL teams: 'If you don't draft me, that's your fault'
Cam Ward has a message for NFL teams: ‘If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault’
Game Analysis NFL
Lil Wayne defends Jordan Love, talks Lakers' championship on 'First Things First'
Lil Wayne defends Jordan Love, talks Lakers’ championship on ‘First Things First’
Game Analysis
5 ways to fix NBA All-Star Weekend after widely panned 2025 event
5 ways to fix NBA All-Star Weekend after widely panned 2025 event
Game Analysis
Can Lakers make a title run as sixth-best odds to win NBA Finals? | First Things First
Can Lakers make a title run as sixth-best odds to win NBA Finals? | First Things First
Game Analysis
Bucky Brooks’ Top 5 Super Bowl contenders sparks debate | First Things First
Bucky Brooks’ Top 5 Super Bowl contenders sparks debate | First Things First
Game Analysis NFL
Aa
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Reading: ‘I want to be the best’: Why C.J. Stroud isn’t satisfied with just being a great rookie
Share
Aa
BigPaulSportsBigPaulSports
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Search
  • Big Paul Sports
  • Services
  • Game Analysis
  • Free Picks
  • Premium Content
  • Registration
  • Member Login
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
BigPaulSports > Blog > NFL > ‘I want to be the best’: Why C.J. Stroud isn’t satisfied with just being a great rookie
NFLSports News

‘I want to be the best’: Why C.J. Stroud isn’t satisfied with just being a great rookie

BigP
Last updated: 2024/01/22 at 11:52 PM
BigP Published January 22, 2024
Share
'I want to be the best': Why C.J. Stroud isn't satisfied with just being a great rookie
SHARE
  • DJ Bien-Aime, ESPNJan 22, 2024, 05:48 PM ET

    Close

      DJ Bien-Aime covers the Houston Texans for ESPN. He joined ESPN in July of 2022 after covering the New York Jets. He’s a former athlete who finished his college career at Louisville. You can catch DJ on ESPN Radio on his show, “Talkin’ Texans.”

HOUSTON — Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud‘s rookie season was memorable, but he wants more.

“I want to be the best,” Stroud said Monday — two days after the Texans’ season ended in the divisional round of the playoffs. “I don’t want to be the best rookie or the best second-year player. I want to be the best.”

Stroud was instrumental in getting the Texans to the playoffs, where he had a 274-yard, three-touchdown debut in a 45-14 win over the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round.

Best of NFL Nation

&#8226 Mahomes, defense fuel Chiefs
&#8226 Goff leads Lions to NFC title game
&#8226 Despite ending, Love thrived
&#8226 How Colts’ Richardson coped with pain
&#8226 Saints’ Loomis eyes 2024 playoffs

He tied the rookie record for the most passing touchdowns in a playoff game and also became the youngest quarterback (22 years, 102 days) to win a playoff game since 1950, surpassing Michael Vick (22 years, 192 days).

Stroud led the league in passing yards per game (274). His 4,108 yards is third most for a rookie, and he became the first rookie since the merger to lead the league in touchdown-to-interception ratio (23-5).

“I’m just super thankful for God and Christ for really just having a rookie year like I had,” Stroud said. “To be able to be mentioned with a whole bunch of greats and be playing against greats, it’s just a blessing.”

The No. 2 pick out of Ohio State helped first-year coach DeMeco Ryans become the 27th first-year coach to win the division since the 1970 merger, and they became the third first-year coach-rookie quarterback duo since 1950 to win a playoff game, joining the pairing of Baltimore Ravens coach John Harbaugh and quarterback Joe Flacco (2008), along with former New York Jets coach Rex Ryan and quarterback Mark Sanchez (2009).

“An important question every team is looking for is that quarterback,” Ryans said. “We know how important the position is. We know how many resources go into finding the right guys as half of the league has them, and half don’t. It’s a special position. It takes a special person to play that position, and we’re happy to have C.J. leading us.”

Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud had a historic rookie season, but he wasn’t satisfied in his quest to become the best. Cooper Neill/Getty Images

Stroud didn’t throw an interception in two playoff games, but the Ravens held him without a touchdown in the divisional round loss.

“We know what it takes,” Stroud said. “It takes tremendous focus, tremendous will to win and stuff like that. … Even though we fell short, we put that on display. And now it’s just about bringing guys here that are with that and have that same type of mentality. And whoever stays, we keep that standard.

“We ain’t changing up for nobody. That is why we are confident.”

Sponsored Content

You Might Also Like

Cam Ward has a message for NFL teams: ‘If you don’t draft me, that’s your fault’

Bucky Brooks’ Top 5 Super Bowl contenders sparks debate | First Things First

Top 10 2025 NFL free-agent QBs: Aaron Rodgers or Russell Wilson?

2025 NFL Draft odds: Will Titans retain the No. 1 pick?

BigP January 22, 2024
Share this Article
Facebook Twitter Email Print

Follow US

Find US on Social Medias
Facebook Like
Twitter Follow
Youtube Subscribe
Telegram Follow
newsletter featurednewsletter featured

Weekly Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

    Popular News
    Chargers say RB Ekeler doubtful to play Sunday
    NFLSports News

    Chargers say RB Ekeler doubtful to play Sunday

    BigP BigP September 16, 2023
    49ers, eyeing top seed, get Deebo, Mitchell back
    NFL: ‘Insufficient evidence’ to punish WR Flowers
    Are the Steelers deep enough at wide receiver to win big?
    NU president: No plans to fire AD over scandal
    - Advertisement -
    Ad imageAd image

    Categories

    • Sports

    About US

    We offer information and tips on US Sports and evernts all over the world.
    Top Categories
    • Game Analysis
    • Free Picks
    • Services
    • Premium Content

    Subscribe US

    Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

      © Foxiz News Network. Ruby Design Company. All Rights Reserved.

      Removed from reading list

      Undo
      Welcome Back!

      Sign in to your account

      Lost your password?