As a rookie, Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud threw for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns, and just five interceptions (with a 63.9% completion percentage) while also rushing for 167 yards and three touchdowns.
He was named the NFL‘s Offensive Rookie of the Year while also earning a Pro Bowl nod and a spot on the PFWA All-Rookie Team. Stroud even finished ninth in NFL MVP voting.
During the 2023 playoffs, Stroud also joined an exclusive club, becoming just the 12th rookie quarterback in NFL history to start and win a playoff game.
Rookie QBs To Win an NFL Playoff Game
- C.J. Stroud, Houston Texans – 2023
- Total wins: 1
- Final result: Lost Divisional Round
- Brock Purdy, San Francisco 49ers – 2022
- Total Wins: 2
- Final Result: Lost Conference Championship
- John Wolford, Los Angeles Rams – 2020
- Total Wins: 1 (Replaced by Jared Goff due to neck injury)
- Final Result: Lost Divisional Round
- Russell Wilson, Seattle Seahawks – 2012
- Total Wins: 1
- Final Result: Lost Divisional Round
- T.J. Yates, Houston Texans – 2011
- Total Wins: 1
- Final Result: Lost Divisional Round
- Mark Sanchez, New York Jets – 2009
- Total Wins: 2
- Final Result: Lost Conference Championship
- Joe Flacco, Baltimore Ravens – 2008
- Total Wins: 2
- Final Result: Lost Conference Championship
- Ben Roethlisberger, Pittsburgh Steelers – 2004
- Total Wins: 1
- Final Result: Lost Conference Championship
- Aaron Brooks, New Orleans Saints – 2000
- Total Wins: 1
- Final Result: Lost Divisional Round
- Shaun King, Tampa Bay Buccaneers – 1999
- Total Wins: 1
- Final Result: Lost Conference Championship
- Dieter Brock, Los Angeles Rams – 1985*
- Total Wins: 2
- Final Result: Lost Conference Championship
- Pat Haden, Los Angeles Rams – 1976
- Total Wins: 1
- Final Result: Lost Divisional Round
*While technically classified as a rookie, Dieter Brock was actually 34 years old when he made his debut in the NFL. Before then, he played 10 seasons in the Canadian Football League.
C.J. Stroud’s Postseason Debut Against the Browns
Stroud and DeMeco Ryans became the first rookie QB and rookie head coach to win a division since the NFL/AFL merger in 1970, leading to a Wild Card matchup between the 11-7 Texans and 11-7 Cleveland Browns.
Stroud led Houston to its first playoff win since 2019, blowing out the Browns 45-14. Against the NFL’s top-ranked defense, the rookie quarterback threw for 274 yards, three touchdowns (tying the rookie playoff record), and zero interceptions with a 76.2% completion percentage.
What makes this performance even more impressive is that Stroud sat out most of the fourth quarter since the Texans had such a big lead.
Stroud became the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a postseason game. Despite it being his playoff debut, he posted the third-highest playoff passer rating of all time (157.2).
Mr. Irrelevant Joins the Exclusive Club
During the 2022 NFL playoffs, Brock Purdy joined this list by leading the San Francisco 49ers past the Seattle Seahawks 41-23 in their Wild Card matchup.
Purdy was the final pick (No. 262) in the 2022 NFL Draft. Eight quarterbacks were drafted before him — including Kenny Pickett at No. 20, Desmond Ridder at No. 74, Malik Willis at No. 86, and Matt Corral at No. 94 — yet Purdy is the only one who’s still starting in the NFL.
MORE: Has a Rookie QB Ever Won the Super Bowl?
Throwing for 332 yards, Purdy once again added his name to the record books by having the most passing yards by a rookie QB in his playoff debut and the second-most by a rookie in the playoffs overall.
Not only that, Purdy actually threw for the third-most passing yards overall in 49ers playoff history, behind only two Joe Montana performances (357 and 347 yards). That is quite the feat considering the legends that the 49ers have had under center.