C.J. Stroud wasn’t expected to do much in the NFL before the 2023 season. As the No. 2 overall pick out of Ohio State on a franchise that won 11 games in three combined seasons, expectations were markedly low heading into September.
Stroud never got that memo since he put together one of the best seasons in NFL history for a rookie en route to helping Houston secure its first division title in four years. Players even were dazzled by his heroics, ranking him No. 20 in the NFL’s Top 100 list.
Even NFL coaches, executives and scouts voted Stroud the seventh-best quarterback in the league entering the 2024 season despite only having one season under his belt.
The folks over at EA Sports still need to see more from the offensive rookie of the year before placing at the top-tier spot.
EA Madden 25 revealed its ratings for quarterbacks on Friday, with Stroud grading out as an 81 overall. That would place him not just outside the top 10, but nearly outside the top 15.
Stroud, who became the fifth rookie in league history to throw for 4,000 yards in their first season, was sandwiched between Detroit’s Jared Goff (82 overall) and Green Bay’s Jordan Love (81 overall).
Naturally, fans weren’t happy with the results.
Tua in the top 10 over C.J. Stroud is a choice. https://t.co/ACCQRzVe4b
— Greg Rajan (@GregRajan) August 2, 2024
C.J. Stroud only an 81?? https://t.co/d2vFZHYsWh pic.twitter.com/GFBypmn0T6
— Pro Football Network (@PFN365) August 2, 2024
Unserious list pic.twitter.com/ibKFesCZC2
— Houston Stressans (@TexansCommenter) August 2, 2024
It would be one thing to argue that Stroud’s inexperience warrants a lower ranking, but EA Sports listed San Francisco’s Brock Purdy as a top-10 passer. Few can insist that Purdy hasn’t shown promise since taking over in the Bay Area, but he’s also been blessed with arguably the league’s top defense and a cast of All-Pro weapons.
Entering Year 2, Stroud has one of those thanks to the additions of Pro Bowl running back Joe Mixon and former All-Pro receiver Stefon Diggs, but remember that he made history with eight different offensive line combinations and a lackluster run game.
On top of that, the Texans’ defense was hit-or-miss most of the season, especially in the secondary. Twice last season, Stroud led comeback drives to secure victories and plant Houston at the top of the AFC South rankings.
The top 32 QBs in Madden NFL 25:
1) Patrick Mahomes: 99
2) Lamar Jackson: 98
3) Joe Burrow: 93
4) Josh Allen: 92
5) Dak Prescott: 90
6) Tua Tagovailoa: 88
7) Justin Herbert: 87
8) Jalen Hurts: 86
9) Brock Purdy: 85
10) Kirk Cousins: 84
11) Aaron Rodgers: 83
12) Matthew Stafford:…— Ari Meirov (@MySportsUpdate) August 2, 2024
Without Stroud, the Texans would have remained an underwhelming franchise with a lack of direction at the most essential position for success.
Could the same be said for the 49ers with Purdy, who graded out with an 85 overall ranking?
Could the same be said for Philadelphia’s Jalen Hurts, who ranked eighth at 86 grade?
How about Miami’s Tua Tagovailoa or Dallas Dak Prescott, who each ranked in the top six with an 88 overall grade or higher?
Stroud, who didn’t play in Thursday’s 21-17 loss against the Chicago Bears in the Hall of Fame game, likely has other things on his mind as the Texans prepare for Week 1.
Fans, however, have ample time to complain about the egregious decision made by those who say, “It’s in the game.”
