CJ Stroud has barely stepped into his second season in the league and is already winning over hearts. After getting drafted at No.2 by the Houston Texans as their franchise quarterback, the Ohio State product affirmed his position on the roster right from his rookie season.

Last year, the team bettered its ranking position with Stroud, ending at a record of 26-3, with the quarterback winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year. As the Texans commenced their OTAs, Stroud’s performance had many doing a double take, including the NFL analyst Pat McAfee.

CJ Stroud impresses with his no-look pass

The 22-year-old has some new tricks in his sleeve for the upcoming season. One of those seems to be the no-look pass, previously Patrick Mahomes’ signature move, which Stroud showcased during Tuesday’s session. The quarterback threw the ball to receiver Robert Woods without looking, completing the pass. The video of his throw has been doing the internet rounds, having impressed fans and analysts alike.

It was almost too much for McAfee to take in, and he declared that he hated Stroud for being this good at everything! “This C.J. Stroud dude, this thing’s a beauty too. Nonchalant dart, no look -this dude, I hate him. I hate him,” he said on the Pat McAfee Show. “He shouldn’t be that cool. Shouldn’t be that easy. Shouldn’t be that good of a leader. Shouldn’t have that high football IQ. Shouldn’t have a team around him that’s all of a sudden great.”

The no-look passes have been thrown in the league by Matthew Stafford, Joe Burrow, and Aaron Rodgers, but no one does it as regularly as Patrick Mahomes, and for good reason. However, the Chiefs’ quarterback has his own list of favorite QBs, and the Texans’ rookie happens to be on it.

Patrick Mahomes shares his list of favorite QBs to watch

The three-time MVP might be considered the best quarterback, unanimously, but he’s got his favorites, too. On Fox’s First Things First, Mahomes shared the names of three QBs he loves watching the most. On top of his list was Buffalo Bills’ Josh Allen, followed by the Houston rookie.

“I like watching Josh [Allen] a lot,” Mahomes said. “We play a lot of similar opponents. He plays a similar style of football that I do. I always watch what the Bills do and try to take from things that he does. I like watching C.J. Stroud a lot now. He’s been out there, and he’s making plays happen, and then I would say probably Joe [Burrow].” 

Stroud had undoubtedly proved his mettle in the team, that too in his very first year. Houston achieved the top position in the AFC South, reaching the divisional round for the first time ‘since 2019. He also amassed 23 touchdowns, 319 completions, and five interceptions, making it to the Pro Bowl.

After a stellar rookie season and now the unveiling of the latest no-look pass, CJ Stroud is proving to be the most exciting player to watch out for in the upcoming season. Alongside Burrow, the 22-year-old might have the best chance of getting past Mahomes and cement their place as one of the greats.