ESPN report: C.J. Stroud insults Aaron Rodgers while expressing affection for Eli Manning

It’s simple to see why Stroud chose this choice.

There were many gifted athletes in the 2023 NFL Draft class, and C.J. Stroud was one of them. After Houston entered the regular season last year with a total 11 wins over the previous three years, Stroud helped the Texans not only win the AFC South but also defeat the Cleveland Browns in a playoff game. The Texans selected Stroud with their first-round choice.

The former Ohio State star put up impressive numbers in his freshman season, passing for over 4,000 yards with 23 touchdowns to just five interceptions. It appears that Houston has found their quarterback of the future. In a recent podcast, Stroud paid tribute to NY Giants great Eli Manning and made a comment that Aaron Rodgers might not agree with:

It makes perfect sense for C.J. Stroud to choose Eli Manning’s career above Aaron Rodgers’.
A straightforward “You want the rings, dawg” response to the question of which one he would prefer—Manning’s or Rodgers’—was quite encouraging. The teenage signal-caller made a daring assertion, and in this instance, we must concur.

In Super Bowl XLII, probably the biggest upset in NFL history, Manning defeated the New England Patriots in both of his Super Bowl appearances (2008) and (2012). The unbeaten Patriots were upset by Manning and the Giants in that game, ruining their chance to make history.

During his nearly 20 years in the NFL, Aaron Rodgers has only made one appearance in a Super Bowl; in Super Bowl XLV, he and the Packers defeated the Pittsburgh Steelers. So, even if Rodgers won four league MVP awards during his career and Manning did not, Stroud is still collaborating with the Giants legend? Yes.

This should enthuse Texans supporters since Stroud’s statement demonstrates that winning Super Bowl rings means much more to him than winning league MVP awards. A team that had spent the previous few years in the AFC South basement, the Texans are now a Super Bowl contender thanks to Stroud. He obviously uses Manning as inspiration to fulfill his aim of becoming the Texans’ all-time great.