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Is C.J. Stroud able to meet the high standards that have been placed on him?

AFC Championship hopes, 12+ victories, AFC South championships, and a possible Super Bowl victory? Not only does the Most Valuable Player Award not yet exist in the discussion set, but C.J. Stroud appears to be capable of achieving all of those things and more. It doesn’t matter that he is only starting his 23rd season. Don’t care that this is only his second season in the league.

No, the sports community has essentially declared that Stroud will accomplish anything that is within his power. It would be an understatement to say those aren’t high goals and expectations. In 2024, Stroud—who was a rookie in 2023—could emerge as the league’s face.

Compared to other players in the league at his age and experience level, the young quarterback has more expectations placed on him. It’s not as though he is incapable of performing the job. He’s already demonstrated his greatness, so why not anticipate more of the same? while also setting a higher standard.

Is Stroud worthy of the hype? Undoubtedly, winning a Super Bowl is primarily the result of a team effort, but Stroud has more power over an MVP than not. The former Ohio State star is a producer. Stroud will have plenty of targets to take advantage of with the return of Dalton Schultz, the signing of Stefon Diggs, the rise of Nico Collins, and hopefully a healthy Tank Dell.

But it’s not impossible that Stroud may pull off such impressive achievements in his sophomore year. That is, after all, what some of the greatest players in history have done. Running back Jim Brown took home the MVP trophy at the age of 21 and 22.

Two additional running backs, Walter Payton and Emmett Smith, were voted MVP at the ages of 23 and 24, respectively. Modern quarterbacks like Lamar Jackson and Patrick Mahomes, who were 22 and 23, respectively, were the MVP winners. An accomplishment shared by legendary quarterback Dan Marino.

Though it’s unlikely, it’s not impossible for Stroud to join such a prestigious organization at such an early age. Yes, we believe that Stroud can live up to the hype that has been placed around him in just his second season, especially with the additions to the club and the possibility that he can improve his talent.