CJ Stroud says he’s ‘always rooting for’ Bryce Young ahead of Texans-Panthers game

Bryce Young and CJ Stroud have known each other via football since both were in middle school. The two Californians also are long-time friends. Their familes are close, too.

The two quarterbacks also had the honor of going one and two in the NFL Draft last April. No matter what happens in their pro football careers, they will forever be linked together. The Panthers made Bryce Young the top pick, while the Texans selected CJ Stroud at No. 2. And the two rookies will face each other Sunday, at Bank of America Stadium in Charlotte, NC.

For the moment, Stroud is the most successful QB. He’s led the Texans to three wins and is on track to set several big rookie NFL records. Meanwhile, Young and the Panthers are the lone winless team in the NFL. Young’s stats are borderline mediocre. In overall yardage, Young is one of only one of four opening-week starting quarterbacks who have yet to surpass 1,000 yards. Since he’s 33 yards away, he’ll likely breeze past 1,000 sometime in Sunday’s first half.

CJ Stroud defended Bryce Young during a press conference this week.

“Honestly and personally, watching the film and watching every game of his, I don’t think in any way, aspect, or form, he’s playing bad,” Stroud said of the former Alabama star. “That’s what people think if you’re not winning or you have a turnover here or there. Bryce is playing some really good football. I just don’t think people watch in depth — like if you’re a quarterback, you know. I think he’s playing really well.

“Of course, there’s always things you can clean up. I can clean up a lot of things. I’m not here to be his coach — I’m here just to support. We texted a couple of weeks ago, just checking in on each other and it was nothing about football. That’s not our relationship, but personally, I think he’s playing well and I think he’ll continue to be great in this game because he has that swagger and mentality and that type of playing style.”

The Texans already have matched their win total from last season, thanks, in part, to Stroud. The former Ohio State star is completing 60 percent of his passes. He’s thrown for 1,660 yards with nine touchdowns and only one interception. The pick came in his last start, but the Texans still prevailed against the Saints, 20-13.

Conversely, Young sports a better completion percentage at 63. But his touchdown to interception ratio (6:4) isn’t as good. Plus, he missed a start because of a sprained ankle, so he’s played in only five games.

CJ Stroud calls Bryce Young his “brother.” So they’ll hug each other in pre-game and then compete against each other, much like they’ve done their entire football lives.

“Always rooting for him,” Stroud said. “I know he’s always rooting for me.”

“It’s a blessing to have a brother like that,” he said, “to go through the same type of struggle, same type of pressures — the things like that. We talk a lot about that stuff in the offseason … so it’s a blessing to have someone like that in my life.”