C.J. Stroud began his professional football career against the Patriots on a night when their defense wasn’t exactly taking it easy. Seventh-year veteran safety Jalen Mills was flying into dogpiles and stuffing runs. First-round pick Christian Gonzalez was also grinding out reps on the punt team. There were plenty of regular Patriots starters who received a night off, but the stalwarts and rotational players who remained in the lineup showcased the depth and skill of one of the league’s best defenses.
The Patriots were also manufacturing pressure without much difficulty, especially against a newly vulnerable and quickly collapsing right side of the line. The Texans recently lost right tackle Tytus Howard for a little more than a month with a broken hand. More than half of Stroud’s drop-backs were under duress.
This is a long way of saying there are far easier circumstances by which to make your first appearance as the possible franchise quarterback of a team still very much in its growth stage. Stroud went 2-of-4 for 13 yards and an interception. He was sacked once for a loss of 15 yards. His passer rating was 17.7.
