C.J. Stroud Madden Career 2024-2026 - Peak 81 OVR

C. J. Stroud was born on October 3, 2001, in Rancho Cucamonga, California. He played at Ohio State, where he was a Heisman Trophy finalist in 2021 and 2022, and Houston drafted him second overall in 2023. He threw for 4,108 yards as a rookie with a touchdown-to-interception ratio of 4.6, won NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year and was selected to the Pro Bowl. Madden NFL 24 listed him at 73 for that season.

In the wild-card round in January 2024 he completed 16 of 21 passes for 274 yards and three touchdowns in a 45-14 win over Cleveland, becoming the youngest quarterback to win a playoff game. He threw for 3,727 yards and 20 touchdowns in 2024 as Houston took a second straight AFC South title, and Madden NFL 25 rated him 81. Madden NFL 26 held him at 81 for 2025.

A concussion against Denver in Week 9 of 2025 cost him three games. He finished that year with 3,041 yards, 19 touchdowns and eight interceptions, and he earned AFC Offensive Player of the Week in Week 5 after four touchdown passes against Baltimore. Houston lost 28-16 to New England in the divisional round in January 2026. The Texans exercised the fifth-year option on his contract on April 8, 2026.