Stroud: I'd rather have Eli's career over Rodgers'

C.J. Stroud doesn't think winning NFL MVP awards is nearly as important as collecting Super Bowl titles.

In a recent interview on the "Million Dollaz Worth of Game" podcast, the Houston Texans quarterback said he'd rather have a career like Eli Manning's over Aaron Rodgers' because "you want the rings. ... Eli got two."

Manning played his entire career for the New York Giants from 2004-19. The former passer never earned an All-Pro berth and led the league in interceptions three times over his NFL journey before retiring with a 117-117 regular-season record. However, Manning helped the Giants win two Super Bowls and was named Super Bowl MVP on both occasions.

A four-time NFL MVP, Rodgers is considered one of the most gifted quarterbacks ever. The 40-year-old - entering his second season with the New York Jets in 2024 - guided the Green Bay Packers to a Super Bowl XLV victory and was named Super Bowl MVP but hasn't played in another Big Game since. Rodgers owns an 11-10 postseason record.

Stroud said he's talked to seven-time Super Bowl champion Tom Brady about what it takes to win NFL titles, and the Texans passer speculated why Rodgers has won only one ring in his career.

"I've talked to Tom about this because he's a good mentor to me," Stroud said. "What he tells me is ... just his teammates and how he treats his teammates, so I think that's where it falls off. We don't know how Aaron Rodgers treats his teammates, but you can guarantee that Tom Brady treats his teammates right because of how he got those rings."

As Rodgers tries to lift the Lombardi Trophy again, he and the Jets enter the 2024 season surrounded by high expectations. New York traded for the veteran signal-caller last year, but he suffered a season-ending Achilles injury four snaps into his Jets debut.

Led by Stroud, the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year, the Texans are also one of the AFC's most interesting teams. The 2023 second overall pick put on a show in his first campaign and became only the third quarterback ever to lead the NFL in TD-INT ratio and passing yards per game in the same season (Brady and Joe Montana).

Stroud also led Houston to a stunning postseason appearance. The club beat the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card matchup before losing to the Baltimore Ravens in the divisional round.

The Texans will visit the Jets in a prime-time Week 9 bout this year.

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