The Carolina Panthers and Houston Texans both selected quarterbacks with the first and second overall picks, respectively, in the 2023 NFL draft. The Panthers went with Bryce Young and C.J. Stroud landed in Houston.
The team held a joint training camp practice session on Thursday, and Stroud gave his honest opinion on the quarterback drafted ahead of him.
“He’s very even-keeled, very to himself. I think I’ve seen a dog come out of him that he has that a lot of people haven’t seen,” he said. “But I know he dealt with some frustrations. I think it’s good that we go through these ups and downs to refocus you back on what’s important.
“I think he had that, and I had that last year as well. I think he bounced back like he should, and we all know he can. He’s a heck of a player, one of the best quarterbacks I’ve ever seen in my life. He needs some help around him, too. I’m just really proud of that guy. Just the same way he said about me, through every ups and downs, every valley and peak, he stayed the same guy, stayed loyal, and stayed a friend and a brother. So, I’m very appreciative of him.”
Fans reacted to Stroud’s comments on social media.
“his dude be patting young on the head like he’s his son, spent all of last season on podcasts and talking himself into the elite conversation, and had a sophomore slump (where at times he looked bizarrely incompetent). Think we need to have a real conversation,” one fan wrote on Twitter.
“He sucks, and he will never lead any NFL team to a winning season,” another fan added.
It’ll be interesting to see which quarterback has a stronger season this year.
About Qwame Skinner
Qwame Skinner has loved both writing and sports his entire life. In addition to his sports coverage at Comeback Media, Qwame writes novels, and his debut; The First Casualty, an adult fantasy, is out now.