Bengals' Joe Burrow helped lead C.J. Stroud to instant success during the offseason
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow did more than make an appearance this Summer at billionaire Michael Rubin's White Party, he instilled wisdom and advice for Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud months before the second-overall pick became the leading Rookie of the Year candidate.Stroud name-dropped Burrow first when relaying his experience at the event. "The whole time […]
Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow did more than make an appearance this Summer at billionaire Michael Rubin's White Party, he instilled wisdom and advice for Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud months before the second-overall pick became the leading Rookie of the Year candidate.
Stroud name-dropped Burrow first when relaying his experience at the event.
"The whole time I was around Joe Burrow," Stroud said on the Pat McAfee Show. "I got to talk to him the whole time. He gave me a lot of great feedback, a lot of advice. For him being a former Buckeye, going to LSU, and then being the first pick in the draft, he understands right where I'm at now. And he gave me a lot of great advice."
Whatever Burrow said, it's translated on the field. Stroud is the current betting favorite to win Offensive Rookie of the Year after four weeks of action. The second pick in this year's NFL Draft has thrown for 1,212 yards and six touchdowns to no interceptions in Houston's surprising 2-2 start.
Stroud's efficiency will eventually take a dip, but if it maintains a certain level and the Texans stay in the playoff race for the entire year, the former OSU signal caller will be the front runner to win Rookie of the Year honors.
Burrow's rookie season was not as successful. He made do behind a terrible Bengals offensive line in 2020 before suffering a season-ending knee injury in his 10th start. Had he played the whole year, he still would've had a tall task to overcome Los Angeles Chargers QB Justin Herbert for the rookie hardware.
The lessons Burrow took from that rough first year have made him an elite passer and the highest-paid player in league history. Stroud now appears to be on the right path.
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