Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) Marc Lebryk-USA TODAY Sports

Texans QB C.J. Stroud accomplished rare feat that puts him in elite company

By Adam Gretz | Last updated 1/9/24

Houston Texans' C.J. Stroud not only had one of the best rookie seasons ever, but he also had one of the most efficient passing seasons by any quarterback to ever play in the NFL. Regardless of experience.

Stroud became just the third QB to ever lead the NFL in passing yards per game, as well as a touchdown to interception ratio. The only other quarterbacks on that list were Tom Brady during the 2007 season and Joe Montana during the 1989 season.

There have been three #NFL quarterbacks to lead the league in passing yards per game and touchdowns to interception ratio in the same season. Via the @HoustonTexans those quarterbacks are rookie C.J. Stroud, Tom Brady in 2007 and Joe Montana in 1989 @KPRC2
— Aaron Wilson (@AaronWilson_NFL) January 8, 2024

The previous two quarterbacks both reached the Super Bowl that year, with Montana's San Francisco 49ers winning it. Brady's Patriots lost to the New York Giants ending their hopes of a perfect 19-0 season.

Stroud finished his rookie season averaging 273.9 yards per game, while also throwing 23 touchdowns to just five interceptions. His five interceptions on 499 passing attempts came out to a 1.0 interception percentage which was also the lowest in the NFL.

It was a truly remarkable season that should make him the runaway favorite to win the Offensive Rookie of the Year award.

What makes his performance even more incredible is that he did it as a rookie and on a team that was one of the worst in the NFL last season.

The Texans had a rookie quarterback, a first-year head coach and an inexperienced group of pass catchers and were trying to bounce back from a 3-13-1 season.

They not only improved by seven games, they won the AFC South and will host a playoff game on Saturday afternoon against the Cleveland Browns.

The rapid development of Stroud, the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, not only gives the Texans a franchise quarterback and superstar at the league's most important and impactful position, but it also gives them a chance to compete for Super Bowls. Not just in the future, but also this season. That is far sooner than anybody could have reasonably expected given where they were just one year ago, and Stroud's presence is the biggest reason for it.

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