Peyton Manning Has a Befitting Reply to People Unnecessarily Criticizing CJ Stroud: 'I Didn’t Win a Playoff Game..'

Peyton Manning doesn’t want to hear anything bad about CJ Stroud’s second-year decline. The Hall of Fame quarterback requested that the critics be more lenient toward the Houston Texans’ signal caller.

In his rookie season, Stroud ranked as the 13th-best quarterback in PFF rankings with an overall grade of 83.2. He not only won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award but also had a good chance of becoming the Offensive Player of the Year, which ultimately went to 49ers RB Christian McCaffrey.

However, Stroud fell four places in the PFF rankings to 17th with 78.9 the following year. He was subjected to a lot of criticism from analysts and on social media.

Stroud was among the invitees at the recently concluded Fanatics Fest. He sat down alongside the Manning brothers (Peyton and Eli) and former number one picks Bryce Young and Caleb Williams on the stage for a Q&A session. The curious crowd wanted the retired Colts and Broncos signal caller’s opinion on Stroud’s down year. Manning compared his second season with Stroud’s.

[CJ] went to the playoffs in his second year. He was 22. Let’s be careful saying it was ‘a down year.’ I didn’t win a playoff game until my sixth year. He’s two for two.

 

Peyton Manning said

Manning has a sharp memory even at the age of 49. His debut was in 1998, but he had to wait until 2003 to win his first playoff game. In his first playoff game, Stroud defeated Joe Flacco’s Browns but lost 34-10 in the divisional final against Lamar Jackson’s Baltimore Ravens.

CJ Stroud is a locker room leader

Stroud is very mature considering his age. He grew up under his mother’s care as his father served time in prison. Despite the absence of a father figure, Stroud made sound choices and graduated from Ohio State. He received massive praise for his poised nature from all quarters.

One of his teammates who recently signed during the offseason highlighted the same. Christian Kirk left the Texans’ AFC South rivals, the Titans, and in his first few weeks established a good rapport with Stroud. Kirk was on the SiriusXM Radio show and claimed that Stroud has a winner’s mentality.

The thing that sticks out about CJ [Stroud] is that he’s super mild-mannered, but he has a lot of confidence [in his abilities]. He’s smart [and] sees things well [and] he’s a really good communicator… He’s been great within the few months of spending time around him.

Kirk revealed

Stroud credits his success as a human being and a football player to the Almighty. While speaking with Lisa Salters after a game, the Pro Bowler got candid about his faith.

I can’t do nothin’ but just thank my Lord and savior Jesus Christ. I’m just blessed enough to be the vessel that Christ picked to lead this great franchise. I can do nothing but just thank the Lord.

Stroud said via the Desert News

In 32 games since his debut for the Texans, Stroud has recorded 19 wins. He completed 63.5% of passes (averaging 244.8 yards per game) for 43 touchdowns and 17 interceptions.

The 2025 season is only three months away. The Texans will play three friendlies against the Vikings, Panthers, and Lions before facing the Los Angeles Rams on the opening day of the regular season.