Remember that delicious, confidence-boosting feeling of everyone praising you? Well, for young NFL stars, that praise can turn toxic—NFL insider Ian Rapoport calls it ‘rat poison.’ That’s exactly what Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud is about to face after a rookie season that left jaws on the floor.

Rapoport, a seasoned sports writer, who covered Nick Saban‘s legendary ‘rat poison’ warnings at Alabama, knows the dangers of endless praise. “People telling them how good they are,” Rapoport said, “it’s gonna be a challenge for the Texans.” But here’s the thing: when the praise is fueled by stats like Stroud’s, it’s hard to argue.

Let’s break down Stroud’s rookie year: First, he snagged Offensive Rookie of the Year honors—a first for the Texans franchise. Drafted #2 overall, Stroud wasted no time lighting the league on fire. He started every game, slinging a franchise-record 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns. That completion percentage? A solid 64%, putting him in elite company for rookie QBs. Further, Stroud only threw 5 interceptions, with a passer rating that’s the third-best ever for a rookie QB.

Here’s where things get crazy: Stroud’s 4,108 yards rank third all-time for rookie passers. He led the league in passing yards per game (almost 274! ), while also sporting a touchdown-to-interception ratio that rivals legends like Joe Montana and Tom Brady! Remember that record-setting run of 192 consecutive passes without an INT? Yeah, Stroud did that too.

Basically, Stroud rewrote the rookie QB record book. He even earned a Pro Bowl nod—only the second offensive rookie in Texans history to achieve that feat. So, is the praise warranted? Based on these stats, absolutely. Now, the pressure’s on for Stroud to avoid the dreaded sophomore slump and prove he’s not just a one-season wonder. Let’s hope he can handle the ‘rat poison’ remark and keep up his meteoric rise, especially with those comparisons to Patrick Mahomes floating around.

CJ Stroud’s impressive start, but no match for Mahomes yet

Don’t get caught in that ‘rookie fever’ just yet, Texans fans. NFL analyst Rob Parker throws some cold water on the idea that rookie phenom CJ Stroud is the biggest threat to Patrick Mahomes’ throne. “Count me out on this idea that CJ Stroud is the main threat to Mahomes, ’cause I’m not buying it.”

Here’s the reality check: Parker believes seasoned veterans Joe Burrow and Lamar Jackson still hold the edge. Burrow boasts a winning record (3-1) against Mahomes, proving his ability to out-duel the Kansas City star in head-to-head matchups. Meanwhile, Jackson’s electrifying MVP performance against the Chiefs on Christmas night serves as a fresh reminder of his dominance.

While Stroud’s rookie year was undeniably impressive, leading the Texans to the playoffs, he still has a way to go to reach Chiefs’ QB Mahomes’ level. But some, like Houston’s receiver Tank Dell, are getting a little ahead of themselves, claiming Stroud has the potential to be the league’s best QB. “He just brings a special type of swag,” Dell said. “I for sure feel like C.J. got the opportunity to be the best QB in the league.”

While Dell’s enthusiasm is understandable, let’s not forget Mahomes, a three-time champion and future Hall of Famer. Still, Stroud’s future is bright. He’s got the talent, the smarts, and the arm strength to challenge the best. But for now, the torch for AFC supremacy seems destined to be carried by Patrick Mahomes, not the young gun from Houston.