C.J. Stroud may have announced his arrival as the NFL’s newest star quarterback.
The Houston Texans newcomer set a single-game rookie record with 470 passing yards. He also tied a rookie milestone with five passing touchdowns, including a game-winning score to Tank Dell with six seconds remaining.
Stroud’s historic performance led the Texans to a 39-37 victory. Fans couldn’t contain their excitement after the unbelievable effort.
“CJ STROUD IS THAT DUDE,” Shea Serrano wrote.
5 TOUCHDOWNS
DAMN NEAR 500 YARDS
GAME WINNING TOUCHDOWN DRIVE THE FULL LENGTH OF THE FIELD WITH JUST 0:46 ON THE CLOCK
CJ STROUD IS THAT DUDE
— Shea Serrano (@SheaSerrano) November 5, 2023
“What a game for the Texans,” fantasy football analyst Jody Smith said. “C.J. Stroud [is a] legit superstar for a franchise that desperately needed one.”
What a game for the Texans.
C.J. Stroud legit superstar for a franchise that desperately needed one.
— Jody Smith (@JodySmithNFL) November 5, 2023
“CJ Stroud is already a top 10 QB in the league. Argue with a wall if you disagree,” Chargers content creator Steven Haglund declared.
CJ Stroud is already a top 10 QB in the league. Argue with a wall if you disagree idc.
— Steven Haglund (@StevenIHaglund) November 5, 2023
“CJ Stroud came into this game without his starting RB. By halftime he didn’t have a field goal kicker. So he took things into his own hands and turned out the BEST Rookie QB performance in NFL history,” a Texans fan account said. “HE IS HIM.”
CJ Stroud came into this game without his starting RB
By halftime he didn’t have a field goal kicker
So he took things into his own hands and turned out the BEST Rookie QB performance in NFL history
HE IS HIM pic.twitter.com/8SBN0nlKfL
— Apollo Texans (@ApolloTexans) November 5, 2023
“Special,” ESPN radio host Jeremy Branham
said. “A lot of people were hesitant to say it, because they’re scared of being wrong. Stroud is special.”
Special.
A lot of people were hesitant to say it, because they’re scared of being wrong.
Stroud is special.
— Jeremy Branham (@JeremyBranham) November 5, 2023
Stroud had already impressed before Sunday’s game. The No. 2 pick entered the Week 9 contest posting a 94.9 quarterback rating with nine passing touchdowns, one interception, and 7.6 yards per pass attempt.
Yet Sunday’s showing was not only the best showing of his rookie season, but perhaps the best game ever by any rookie quarterback.
While it’s too soon to draw any concrete conclusions, Stroud has far and away looked like the best first-year quarterback from a class featuring Anthony Richardson, Will Levis, and No. 1 pick Bryce Young. The Texans, who went 3-13-1 last year following consecutive four-win seasons, are already 4-4.
Stroud will look to deliver an encore in Week 10 against Joe Burrow and the Cincinnati Bengals.