Cardinals Aren't Treating C.J. Stroud Like a Rookie Quarterback

ARIZONA -- The Arizona Cardinals are up next to face the Houston Texans and rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud, who has captured the attention of not just weekly opponents but also the entire league.

Stroud was the No. 2 overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft and has started every game for Houston. Playing under a rookie defensive-minded head coach in DeMeco Ryans and no stars around him - though his supporting cast has played well - Stroud is thriving in the early portions of his career.

“I love it. To see what he’s doing, man, it’s like I said, I love it. For fellow African American quarterback to be doing what he’s doing at this level, especially in his rookie year, it’s impressive," Kyler Murray said this week on Stroud.

"If you love the game, if you really love the art and the detail of the position— he’s playing it the right way. He’s obviously leading those guys. They believe in him, and they trust him so I’m proud of him. I’m excited to see his career.”

Stroud has 15 touchdowns (plus two more on the ground) to two interceptions this season. The Texans are - as of now - in the playoff picture at 5-4 with their last two losses coming by a combined four points.

Stroud's 291.8 passing yards per game leads the NFL. His 101.0 passer rating sits behind just Brock Purdy, Tua Tagovailoa, Dak Prescott, Russell Wilson and Kirk Cousins.

Everything from a mental and physical aspect stands out.

“No, he doesn’t look like a rookie out there, I know that. His process is extremely fast, very accurate, and a quick release," Cardinals head coach Jonathan Gannon said.

"They are the top one or two in explosive passes in the NFL right now, and explosives come up on all downs, mixed downs, and third and known pass. He’s doing a really good job, that’s why they’re above .500 right in the playoff hunt. Playing good football right now. Really good football. He jumped off the tape.”

With any great quarterback, a bright offensive coordinator is at the helm of their success. Gannon made it a point to highlight Texans OC Bobby Slowik, a disciple of the Kyle Shanahan coaching tree and currently in the midst of his first season as a play-caller.

"(Texans Offensive Coordinator Bobby) Slowik’s done a good job because they’ve got some different players, and he’s kind of tailor fitted it. I thought that they made some adjustments from early in the year to where they’re at now. That’s helped the ball club," said Gannon.

"I think he’s done a really good job (with) this being his first year calling it. I think he calls it aggressively and keeps the defenses off balance with different play types and different personnel groupings. I think he’s done a really good job.”

Stroud has steadily improved by the week and not only finds himself in Rookie of the Year talks, but also MVP consideration as well.

That's not just media chatter, according to Cardinals defensive coordinator Nick Rallis.

“He deserves to be in that MVP race. … He is playing at a very high level and you can see this guy’s going to be a really good player for a long time in this league.”

Though still young, the Cardinals anticipate the absolute best out of Stroud in Week 11.