After consecutive losses to start the 2023 NFL season, the Houston Texans looked to be a team that might be in the running for one of the worst in the league, with rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud struggling to figure things out as the team’s new starter under center.
With Stroud struggling right out of the gate and Bryce Young looking shaky leading the winless Carolina Panthers, Anthony Richardson of the Indianapolis Colts looked like the best bet to win the NFL’s Offensive Rookie of the Year, as he looks like the next-best dual-threat quarterback in the league.
Although Richardson got right back to where he left off with another solid performance in Week 4 after missing Week 3 due to a concussion, Stroud is starting to come on strong with two big wins over the Jacksonville Jaguars and Pittsburgh Steelers.
The win over the Steelers this past weekend really turned heads around the league, as Stroud led the Texans to a blowout win over Pittsburgh while putting up some impressive numbers.
Stroud was impressive enough in the win over the Steelers that he’s drawn the attention of superstar linebacker Micah Parsons of the Dallas Cowboys, who predicted the rookie award for the former Ohio State star, via B/R Gridiron.
Micah predicting OROY for @CJ7STROUD pic.twitter.com/Oqq6Gtiey8
— B/R Gridiron (@brgridiron) October 2, 2023
As Parsons points out, Stroud currently has the most pass attempts without an interception to start his NFL career, which is no easy task, especially after getting the best of T.J. Watt and the Steelers defense.
During the 24-point blowout against Pittsburgh, Stroud threw for 304 yards and two touchdowns, connecting with Nico Collins seven times for 168 yards and those two scores.
The schedule gets a bit easier from here on out, as the Texans will face all four NFC South teams consecutively over the next four games, so Stroud could have some big performances on the horizon.
The post NFL Star Makes Big Projection For C.J. Stroud appeared first on The Cold Wire.