Colin Cowherd Shares Bold Opinion on Texans’ C.J. Stroud
Colin Cowherd didn’t hold back when discussing Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud.
As the NFL season approaches, various analysts and outlets begin rolling out their rankings of players and teams, particularly when it comes to quarterbacks. One of the first rankings to make waves this offseason came from Pro Football Focus, which ranked the league’s quarterbacks from top to bottom, starting with Patrick Mahomes and ending with Tyler Shough. While the list drew attention for its accuracy, one placement raised eyebrows—C.J. Stroud, who was ranked 14th after a mixed 2024 season. This position put him behind quarterbacks like Jared Goff, Geno Smith, and Brock Purdy.
The ranking sparked debate, and one high-profile analyst, Colin Cowherd, offered his take on the surprising spot for Stroud.
“I think C.J. Stroud is more talented than Goff, Smith, and Purdy, though it’s close,” Cowherd said. “To me, Stroud should be in the top tier of quarterbacks, or at least very close. I think he’s really good. Yes, he had a dip last season, but his offensive line was terrible, he lost two of his top three receivers, and he still led his team to the playoffs and won a playoff game.”
Is C.J. Stroud a Top 8 NFL quarterback?@ColinCowherd makes the case for the Houston Texans starter and reveals his overall thoughts on PFF's 2025 QB rankings. pic.twitter.com/97zNzynPC0
— Herd w/Colin Cowherd (@TheHerd) May 21, 2025
Stroud’s second season wasn’t perfect, with turnover issues and injuries to key teammates, but despite those challenges, he was able to guide the Texans into the postseason. While it wasn’t as impressive as his Offensive Rookie of the Year campaign, Stroud still managed to get the Texans over the playoff hump.
Cowherd’s assessment of Stroud is clear: he sees the young quarterback as a high-end Tier 2 player, and one of the NFL’s most valuable quarterbacks.
“I’ve always felt there are seven or eight quarterbacks in the NFL that, if someone calls about them, you’re just not interested in trading them. I don’t think Houston takes a call on C.J. Stroud. I believe he’s a Tier 2 guy,” Cowherd stated.
With a critical third season ahead, Stroud faces high expectations to prove he belongs among the league’s elite quarterbacks. The coming year will be pivotal in determining whether or not he can cement his place in the upper tier of the NFL.
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