Young AFC quarterback earns well-deserved praise from Drew Brees

The Houston Texans selected CJ Stroud with the second overall pick last year, making him the highest drafted Ohio State alumni then.

Young AFC quarterback earns well-deserved praise from Drew Brees

Drew Brees, CJ Stroud (Images via A to Z Sports/People)

In a recent address, the XLIV Super Bowl champion and two-time NFL OPOY Drew Brees praised the Houston Texans starter CJ Stroud. Stroud, drafted two years ago, quickly rose to fame with a splendid rookie season, which saw him become almost the first rookie to win an NFL MVP.

Drew Brees’ praise doesn’t come easily. The 46-year-old from Dallas, Texas, is considered one of the best quarterbacks of all time. Brees, who spent most of his career at the New Orleans Saints, is ranked second in career passing yards, career touchdown passes, and even career completion percentage. He also holds the record for most consecutive career touchdown passes with 54 straight games, breaking a 52-year-old record.

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In a chat with Fansided, Drew Brees answered which of the active quarterbacks remind most of himself. Brees confessed that CJ Stroud is one such quarterback whom he really likes as a player. He went on to add that he admires his mentality.

CJ Stroud is a young quarterback that I’m a really big fan of. I love his game. I love his poise and mentality, I love what they are building in Houston. Look, there are so many others but those are the first two that came to my mind.

Drew Brees said in a chat for Fansided

In 2023, CJ Stroud became the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game. He also set multiple other records, including the most passing yards and passing touchdowns by a rookie in a single game, 470 yards and 5 TDs, respectively.

He finished the season with a 9-6 record, registering 4,108 passing yards and 23 touchdowns. Although his numbers deteriorated last season, he still registered 3,727 yards and 20 TDs. However, his interception amount shot up from 5 to 12, raising some eyebrows about his consistency.

The other quarterback, Brees addressed was Joe Burrow, the starting quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals. A former first overall pick, Burrow was one of the dangerous players in the league, leading the Bengals from behind to narrow playoff contention in the dead-end matches of the game. Burrow was later awarded the NFL Comeback Player of the Year.

Yet another future HOF quarterback praised CJ Stroud

Drew Brees is not alone in his take on CJ Stroud. Los Angeles Rams quarterback Matthew Stafford, a future Hall of Famer who recently praised Stroud for his fearless approach to the game. Speaking on the New Heights podcast, Stafford credited young quarterbacks like Stroud for keeping him motivated.

CJ Stroud
CJ Stroud (Image via Bleacher Report)

I like watching the young guys play. It kind of revitalizes me, invigorates me a little bit. Like, golly, these guys are just playing carefree, ripping it.

Matthew Stafford said on the podcast
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The Texans and Rams have yet to face off with Stroud and Stafford at the helm, but they are scheduled to meet in 2025 at SoFi Stadium. That matchup could provide the perfect stage for Stroud to showcase his growth against one of the league’s most respected veterans.

The Houston Texans were called one of the worst division champions of the last season. Although they rewrote the speculations and taunts, stating that they can’t move past the divisional, they weren’t that good. The Texans need to fix several errors, including their o-line, if CJ Stroud can show what he can properly to the fans, the admirers, and the world.