C.J. Stroud Makes Rex Ryan Quickly Ditch Fond Memories of Mark Sanchez

Ryan loves his former quarterback but acknowledges Stroud’s excellence.

Rex Ryan and Mark Sanchez had some successful seasons with the New York Jets, which included two playoff berths and consecutive trips to the AFC championship game. 

So when Samantha Ponder mentioned on ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown that Houston Texans rookie C.J. Stroud was, like Sanchez, a first-round selection who won his initial playoff game, Ryan affectionately remembered his former quarterback whom he called “my guy.”

However, the sentimentality ended there as Ryan acknowledged that Stroud was a better quarterback than Sanchez. 

“I love Mark Sanchez, but I’ll take C.J. Stroud in a New York minute,” said Ryan. “I love you, Sanchez, but no way.”

Rex Ryan with some brutal honesty about the difference between him having Mark Sanchez vs. CJ Stroud ???? pic.twitter.com/HajeuP3EZo

— GoodNightHarlem???? (@GoodNightHarlem) January 14, 2024

Stroud was exceptional in his NFL playoff debut, completing 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns in the Texans’ 45–14 victory over the Cleveland Browns. Those three touchdown passes tied him for the most by a rookie in NFL history. 

By comparison, Sanchez threw for 182 yards on 12 of 15 passing with one touchdown in his first playoff game. 

Sanchez’s career with the Jets fizzled out after his first three seasons. However, Stroud appears to be on track for a much more successful career after an inaugural season that will likely result in him winning NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year honors. Even Rex Ryan concedes that.