Reigning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year C.J. Stroud led his Houston Texans to a division title this past season.
It was an absolutely tremendous performance from the former No. 2 overall pick as Houston turned things around big time under first-year head coach DeMeco Ryans.
With that said, Stroud has to know he’ll have a target on his back as a sophomore this coming season. That includes Houston’s AFC South rivals.
Indianapolis Colts star linebacker Zaire Franklin took this to a new level during a recent appearance on the Green Light with Chris Long podcast. Long asked Franklin if he had a beef with the Tennessee Titans. His response was eye-opening.
“No, because I already smacked them (the Titans) a couple times,” Franklin said of C.J. Stroud. “It really be Houston. I’m not going to lie to you, I like C.J., man, I support all our young brothers at quarterback, but C.J., he done said a lot of wild stuff to me in our run-ins. He is feeling himself. I need to see that boy again.”
We’re not 100% sure what Franklin means by saying Stroud did some “wild stuff.” Trash-talking or something else?
- C.J. Stroud stats (2023): 64% completion, 4,108 yards, 26 total TD, 5 INT, 100.8 QB rating
Stroud and the Titans went 1-1 against Indianapolis a season ago. The Colts won in Week 2 by the score of 31-20 with Stroud throwing for 384 yards and two touchdowns. Houston returned the favor in Week 18 to clinch the division against Indianapolis.
Franklin signed a three-year, $31.26 million contract extension with Indianapolis back in March. The two will see one another multiple times over the next several years.
It’ll be a popcorn-worthy time.
Related: C.J. Stroud ranking among the NFL’s 32 starting quarterbacks