Stroud’s NFL résumé obviously isn’t as lengthy as those of many other notable signal-callers yet to grace the cover, but the 22-year-old immediately catapulted himself into superstardom with a transcendent debut campaign. There’s also precedent for reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year winners receiving the honor, with Vince Young getting the nod in the summer of 2007 and Odell Beckham Jr. following suit in the summer of 2015. Stroud, who threw for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns (against just five interceptions), was arguably more prolific than both. He set the single-game rookie passing record (470 yards), led the league in passing yards per game (273.9) and had the best interception percentage (1.0) of any qualifying quarterback, reviving the Texans franchise with a division title and an emphatic playoff win. Plus, Year 2 could be even better, as Houston has set up Stroud to eviscerate all who oppose him after going all in on the offseason with bold moves like the trade for Pro Bowl WR Stefon Diggs.
Who will grace the cover of ‘Madden NFL 25’? C.J. Stroud, Justin Jefferson among my top candidates
