NFL Coach: C.J. Stroud 'a Freaking Baller,' Compares Texans QB to Bengals' Joe Burrow

A sophomore slump does not appear to be likely for Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.

The 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year was rated as the No. 8 quarterback in The Athletic's annual quarterback tiers. This is the highest placement a second-year quarterback has received in the publication's ranking and one offensive assistant in the NFL compared Stroud to Joe Burrow.

"This guy is a freaking baller," an offensive assistant said, per Mike Sando of The Athletic. "When we watch the style of play, there's a lot of Joe Burrow when Joe is healthy."

Stroud was the No. 2 pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and joined a Texans team in transition. Houston had gone 3-13-1 in the 2022 season and had not made the postseason since 2019. Head coach DeMeco Ryans was entering his first year as a head coach and expectations were not super high for the franchise.

Stroud would quickly change the expectations, throwing for 4,108 yards with 23 touchdowns and just five interceptions while leading the team to a 10-7 record and an AFC South Division title. Houston defeated the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card round before falling to the Baltimore Ravens in the Divisional Round.

Houston now enters 2024 with high hopes and Stroud will hope to improve upon the promising start. While some lumps could be anticipated, the rest of the NFL appears to be expecting some more magic from the 22-year-old.