The first half of the 2023 NFL season already showed us that the Houston Texans’ C.J. Stroud is not your average rookie quarterback. His sublime performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers on Sunday shows that he might be the greatest rookie signal-caller in NFL history. Period.
All afternoon, it was abundantly clear that Tampa Bay had no answer for Stroud’s precision and poise. If the Buccaneers had even come close to rattling Stroud, he didn’t show a solitary sign of wilting to the moment. The young quarterback threw for 470 yards — an NFL single-game record for a rookie — and an astonishing five touchdowns against Todd Bowles’ defense. (Never mind that Stroud primarily achieved all of this without a kicker.)
It’s that last score to Tank Dell in the final seconds, capping a 75-yard game-winning drive in 46 seconds, that acted as the perfect cherry on top. It’s also emblematic of a young man who already resembles a franchise quarterback who can elevate Houston like the best of them:
CJ STROUDDDDDDDDDDDD. #TBvsHOU pic.twitter.com/gW2PMBVIbj
— NFL (@NFL) November 5, 2023
That is some special stuff, folks. Those are not throws you usually see rookie quarterbacks make. And sparkling games like Sunday come more often from 10-year veterans, not guys who just completed their first November NFL start ever.
Stroud can potentially be a face of the league type of player for years to come. And we all witness to his remarkable ascent.
NFL fans were in awe of Stroud after his incredible game on Sunday
Panthers watching C.J. Stroud pic.twitter.com/lWra4OW87B
— NFL Memes (@NFL_Memes) November 5, 2023
470 passing yards and 5 TDs for C.J. Stroud. What a rookie QB. Unbelievable performance – he's just the 14th player to ever hit both of those marks in the same game.
Stroud is 22 years and 33 days old, a full year younger than Mahomes was when he did it. (h/t @stathead) pic.twitter.com/VnVAxDUoHT
— Football Perspective (@fbgchase) November 5, 2023
C.J. Stroud now has as many touchdown passes in 8 games as Kenny Pickett does in 21. https://t.co/h7igVoajOl
— Jarrett Bailey (@JBaileyNFL) November 5, 2023
46 seconds is too much time for C.J. Stroud. Houston has a franchise QB. pic.twitter.com/twS1zg3Jkd
— Ari Alexander (@AriA1exander) November 5, 2023
Baker Mayfield watching C.J. Stroud pic.twitter.com/WXxKFVhVyB
— Blake Garman (@FrostedBlakes34) November 5, 2023
C.J. STROUD 🗣️🗣️🗣️🗣️. That's All
— LeBron James (@KingJames) November 5, 2023
I have covered the league for 30 seasons, and this might be the greatest performance I have ever seen by a player — any player, much less a rookie. C.J. Stroud was incredible in the second half. https://t.co/zjErhOdBu0
— Charean Williams (@NFLCharean) November 5, 2023
So many words to say about C.J. Stroud I’m not sure where to start.
The future is bright in Houston. So, so hilariously bright with that man at quarterback.
Special win for the rookie #WeAreTexans
— John Crumpler (@JohnHCrumpler) November 5, 2023
"Poise, unflappable… this kid just grew up before our eyes." – @CowherCBS could not give enough praise to @HoustonTexans superstar C.J. Stroud pic.twitter.com/oa8xku8rdW
— NFL on CBS 🏈 (@NFLonCBS) November 5, 2023
C.J. Stroud is going to be a star. The Texans got their guy.
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) November 5, 2023
They always say never give C.J. Stroud 46 seconds.
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) November 5, 2023
C J Stroud you are a bad mofo
— Booger (@ESPNBooger) November 5, 2023
