Photo by Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Fanatics
Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud has received a ringing endorsement from of the NFL’s all-time great quarterbacks.
Pro Football Hall of Famer Peyton Manning came to the defense of the former Buckeye gunslinger during a roundtable discussion at “Fanatics Fest” in New York City last Friday, refuting the narrative that Stroud experienced a “down year” this past season with the Houston Texans after rising to stardom his rookie season.
Flanked by Stroud, second-year Chicago Bears quarterback Caleb Williams, third-year Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young and sports media personality Kay Adams, he pointed out that Stroud led his team to the divisional round of the playoffs for the second time in as many seasons in the NFL, something he didn’t come close to achieving in his first two seasons with the Indianapolis Colts.
“He went to the playoffs in his second year (at) 22 years old. Let’s be careful saying it was a down year,” Manning said to the crowd. “I didn’t win a playoff game until my sixth year. So he’s 2-for-2, and that’s all he needs to try to do, is give the Texans a chance.”
As Manning mentioned, Stroud led the Texans to a 10-7 record, a second straight AFC South division title and second straight appearance in the divisional round of the NFL playoffs after completing 63.2 percent of his passes and throwing for 3,727 yards and 20 touchdowns to 12 interceptions. Each of those statistics fell short of what he accomplished in his rookie season, though, when he completed 63.9 percent of his passes for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions on his way to winning AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and finishing tied for eighth in MVP voting.
Stroud’s less stellar sophomore season likely prompted some change from the Texans organization, which fired offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik in the offseason and replaced him with former Los Angeles Rams passing game coordinator and tight ends coach Nick Caley. With Caley now calling plays and head coach DeMeco Ryans still steering the ship, Stroud will look to make Manning’s comments worthwhile and lead the Texans to their third straight division title and playoff appearance, a feat that has yet to be achieved in the 24-year history of the franchise.
