Do CJ Stroud Stats Show Signs Of Regressing?
In a league that values performance, and has no tolerance for failure, young quarterbacks are being benched before they ever get a chance to prove themselves. Even if they are given time to develop, they must continue to improve every game, or face the possibility of the bench. After a weak Thursday Night Football performance, one has to wonder if CJ Stroud stats are showing signs of the quarterback regressing.
CJ Stroud Stats (First Half 2023)
Stroud's rookie season is one of the best ever for a quarterback. It was so good in fact, that GM's and scouts for other teams have been falling over each other to claim that they wanted Stroud in the 2023 NFL Draft. His first eight games of the season, he was letting it fly. The team cared little about ball protection.
In the first half of 2023, Stroud completed 62% of his passes for 2270 yards (283.8 yards per game), with 14 touchdowns to just one interception. He was one of the best quarterbacks in the league, and had fans questioning why the Carolina Panthers didn't take him first overall. The Texans were 4-4 through their first 8 games.
CJ Stroud Stats (Second Half Of 2023)
The team went 6-3 over the last 9 games of the season, but Stroud did not play in all of them due to injury. He started seven games, and went 5-2. He increased his completion percentage to 66.4% in the second half, throwing for 1,838 yards (262.6 yards per game), and he had 9 touchdowns to just 4 interceptions.
His touchdown to interception ratio for the season was promising (23:5), and 4,000 yards for a rookie is great, but his completion percentage needed to come up to show better decision making skills. Quarterbacks have led their teams to playoffs and been pro bowlers as a rookie (Mac Jones), and quickly fallen off the next year.
CJ Stroud Stats 2024
There were high hopes for the Texans entering the 2024 season. They signed Joe Mixon at running back and made a trade for perennial pro bowl receiver Stefon Diggs. The expectation was not just to win the AFC South, but for Stroud to make huge strides with his new weapons.
Through the first eight games of the year, Stroud and the Texans are 6-2. The second year quarterback is completing 66.5% of his passes for 1,948 yards, 11 touchdowns, and 4 interceptions. Though his completion percentage is up, his yards per game and touchdown to interception ratio is down.
CJ Stroud Stats VS Other Quarterbacks
It's not just Stroud's statistics that have taken a dive. Patrick Mahomes is having one of his worst seasons, despite being undefeated. Jordan Love has battled injuries, but when he has played, has not shown the same promise he had last year. One of the few quarterbacks to show progression in 2024 is Sam Darnold, who is on his 4th team in 7 years.
It's possible the play callers have gotten worse since last year, or maybe the defenses have gotten better. Whatever the case, Stroud has not shown progression, but he has not regressed either. He has remained the same, while other quarterbacks have regressed. In it's own way, that's a form of progression. It will be interesting to see how the rest of 2024 plays out.