CJ Stroud shares advice for Drake Maye after Patriots QB's first career NFL start | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

FOXBOROUGH, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 13: CJ Stroud #7 of the Houston Texans carries the ball against the New England Patriots during the first half of game at Gillette Stadium on October 13, 2024 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images)

Maddie Malhotra/Getty Images

Houston Texans quarterback CJ Stroud announced his message to New England Patriots rookie signal-caller Drake Maye on Sunday.

“Yeah, I gave him a little word, you know, I tried to give him a little word of encouragement,” Stroud said after the Texans’ 41-21 win over the Patriots, according to Phil Perry of NBC Sports Boston . “I thought he played really solid, you know. I definitely feel like he’s getting better as time goes on.”

Maye wasn’t perfect in the first NFL start of his career, but he still showed why the Patriots selected him with the No. 3 overall pick in the 2024 draft.

The 22-year-old completed 20 of 33 yards for 243 yards and three touchdowns and added another 38 yards on five rush attempts. He also threw two interceptions and was sacked four times, losing a fumble in the third quarter.

It wasn’t realistic to expect a flawless performance from Maye, given that he was going up against a Texans defense that ranks fifth in sacks this season and has sacked opposing quarterbacks 15 times in five games entering the contest.

Stroud knows how to put together a strong inaugural season in the NFL by winning the 2023 Offensive Rookie of the Year award and leading Houston to a divisional round playoff appearance.

He has praised Maye in the past, calling him the “most NFL-ready” quarterback prospect in April’s draft.

B/R rust @brgridiron

CJ Stroud called Drake Maye the “most NFL-ready” QB prospect during the draft.
Now they face each other in Maye’s first career start 👀 pic.twitter.com/k6NYqBai8P

Stroud completed 64.5 percent of his throws against New England on Sunday and recorded 192 passing yards and three touchdowns and one interception. He helped the Texans start the year with a 5-1 record, good enough for the top spot in the AFC South.

Maye should be able to find a rhythm in the pocket in his second start as the Patriots will face the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 7. The Jaguars are allowing 276.7 passing yards per game this season worst grade in the league.