Dec 3, 2023; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) looks for an open receiver during the first quarter against the Denver Broncos at NRG Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
© Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
There hasn’t been a rookie quarterback who has taken the NFL by storm quite like C.J. Stroud. In Week 14, he’s the New York Jets’ biggest problem.
“He is a very unique young quarterback,” Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich said. “He is a guy I really wish we would have played Week One through Four when he was still trying to figure out this game.”
Playing the runaway favorite for offensive rookie of the year early in the season may not have saved New York as Ulbrich may have liked. The second overall pick in 2023 has completed over 60% of his passes for 20 touchdowns and just five interceptions. His 3,540 passing yards lead the league, and his 59.3 QBR is in the top 15 of all active passers.
For a first-year quarterback to lead a seemingly talentless team like the Houston Texans to a 7-5 record, there’s no doubt who the most impressive rookie this season is. Arguably the best attribute though from the Ohio State product is his almost consistent ability to not panic in the pocket – something most young signal-callers struggle with.
“I am sure it is a by-product of an upbringing,” Ulbrich explained. “I guarantee you he was raised the right way. Yeah, it is an amazing thing. He sits in there, it is also a bi-product of I think a really good offensive line that does a really good job for him, and they do a good job from the standpoint of its play pass, its max pro, they are putting the bodies in there necessary to protect him and he knows that, and he takes advantage of that.”
If being a product of his upbringing is a reason for his success, then Ohio State and the receivers Stroud played with during that time would certainly be a big part.
Luckily for the Jets, they have one of…
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