The Super Bowl showcased yet another legendary performance by Patrick Mahomes, but it wasn’t without its challenges. Mahomes faced a pressure rate of 38.1% on his dropbacks, the fifth-highest of his career, leading to his second-worst performance by Expected Points Added (EPA) at -19.3. The Kansas City Chiefs’ offensive struggles were evident, proving how difficult it is to function under constant defensive pressure.
Now, let’s put that into perspective.
Houston Texans’ quarterback CJ Stroud, in his rookie season, faced an average pressure rate of 39.4% throughout the season—higher than what Mahomes encountered in the Super Bowl. And yet, Stroud consistently delivered high-level performances, often overcoming adversity without missing a beat.
Take his Divisional Round playoff game against the very same Kansas City Chiefs as an example. Stroud endured an astronomical 51.4% pressure rate, meaning he was pressured on more than half of his dropbacks. Despite this, he still managed to post 287 passing yards with zero turnovers, finishing with a +0.7 EPA. And he did this while missing two of his starting receivers.
What Mahomes struggled to handle in the Super Bowl wasn’t even an average game for Stroud. The narrative of a “Sophomore Slump” for Stroud doesn’t hold weight when he has already shown an elite ability to withstand pressure at a historic rate. If Mahomes—widely regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks ever—couldn’t overcome such defensive intensity, then Stroud’s ability to thrive under even worse circumstances only cements his status as one of the league’s brightest young stars.
The Houston Texans have something special in CJ Stroud, and as he continues to develop, the league should take notice. The next generation of elite quarterback play has arrived.