The Houston Texans’ quarterback stands as a formidable force in NFL annals, a fact not lost on him. Stroud, reflecting on his rapid ascent, expressed no astonishment when queried by NFL.com during Saturday’s Pro Bowl practice.
Despite being the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft, Stroud’s meteoric rise wasn’t unforeseen; rather, he took the league by storm. His average of 273.9 yards per game topped the NFL charts, marking him as the first rookie quarterback since Dak Prescott in 2016 to both pass for touchdowns and make at least 10 starts. His season culminated with 4,108 passing yards, 23 touchdowns, and a mere five interceptions, yielding a league-leading interception rate of 1.0 percent.
Notably, Stroud’s passing yardage ranks third all-time among NFL rookies, and at 22 years old, he’s the youngest player to lead the league in touchdown-to-interception ratio (22:5). Swiftly enlisted by offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik, Stroud’s trajectory seems set for further brilliance, especially with Slowik’s return amidst the coaching upheaval.
Anticipation for Stroud’s sophomore season with the Texans reached fever pitch by the Pro Bowl’s climax. As the AFC’s premier passer in a thrilling 64-59 loss to the NFC, Stroud etched his name further into the NFL lore, marking the first rookie quarterback since Mac Jones to grace the Pro Bowl stage. Despite falling short on 4th-and-goal in the game’s waning moments, Stroud’s prowess shone brightly.
Widely touted as the frontrunner for Offensive Rookie of the Year, Stroud dazzled spectators at Camping World Stadium, orchestrating a flag football spectacle where the AFC prevailed 50-34. He showcased his talent with a game-high 173 yards and two touchdowns, including a remarkable off-balance pass to Bengals’ Ja’Marr Chase.
In a standout moment, Stroud linked up with Chargers’ Keenan Allen, executing a precision pass to Evan Engram in the back corner of the end zone, a play lauded as one of the Pro Bowl’s finest.
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