Houston Texans rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud had already hit the NFL record books through the first four starts of his career. He tallied 1,212 passing yards during this span, surpassing Patrick Mahomes and Justin Herbert for second on the all-time list of passing yards through four starts behind Cam Newton.
This four-game span also saw Stroud not throw a single interception as he led the upstart Texans to a 2-2 record and a two-game winning streak heading into Sunday’s affair with the Atlanta Falcons.
Stroud still didn’t throw an interception through three quarters as the Texans took a 12-7 lead heading into the final 15 minutes. In the process, he surpassed Dak Prescott for the most consecutive passes to open a career without an interception (177).
It’s pretty insane what Stroud has been able to do as his Texans surprise the masses following an ugly three-win season under then-head coach Lovie Smith in 2022.
Led by new head coach DeMeco Ryans, this team looks vastly different than last season’s iteration. It starts with Stroud doing his thing under center.
C.J. Stroud stats (2023): 62% completion, 1,212 yards, 6 TD, 0 INT, 100.6 QB rating
Stroud’s numbers far outpace fellow rookie first-round picks Bryce Young and Anthony Richardson at this point in his first NFL season.
“C.J. is a very good processor — a smart, smart quarterback. He’s not going to make the same mistake twice. That’s one thing I like about him. He knows his mistakes and he knows how to correct them on the fly and it’s just encouraging when you see a young player, a rookie quarterback, who is able to make steps in the right direction.
He’s able to progress, he’s able to grow within games. Like you see in our past game where he got pressured and held onto the ball a little too long and he comes back, and he makes the right decision with the football.”
DeMeco Ryans on C.J. Stroud after Week 2