A general view of an NFL football. Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images

ESPN analyst says it is 'silly' that this player is not on the top NFL QBs list

By Colby Colwell | Last updated Jul 14, 2025 2:46 PM ET

There is a lot of debate regarding the top NFL QBs list that was recently put together by executives, coaches and scouts.

While the gap is shrinking, three-time Super Bowl champion Patrick Mahomes is the top player on the list, followed by 2024 MVP Josh Allen, Joe Burrow, two-time MVP Lamar Jackson and 2024 Offensive Rookie of the Year Jayden Daniels.

While all five are deserving of those spots, ESPN NFL analyst Dan Orlovsky cannot believe Houston Texans QB C.J. Stroud did not make the list at all. Not only did he fail to land in the top five, Stroud was also below Super Bowl LVI champion Matthew Stafford, Justin Herbert, Jared Goff, Super Bowl LIX champion Jalen Hurts and Baker Mayfield.

"C.J. Stroud not being on the list is silly, dumb, idiotic," Orlovsky said on Monday's edition of ESPN's "First Take." "The people that said after C.J. Stroud's rookie year, 'best rookie season we've ever had.' And in that year of 2023, he was at 4,100 yards, 23 TDs, five interceptions, like 63 percent completion percentage. So, numbers wise, pretty darn good."

.@danorlovsky7 can't believe C.J. Stroud isn't on the top NFL QB's list pic.twitter.com/hf1riirJ4l
— First Take (@FirstTake) July 14, 2025

Orlovsky then pointed to Stroud's 2024 season in which he had little protection from his offensive line and dealt with injuries to his key receivers throughout the season.

"Last year, with a bottom five offensive line, he lost his No. 1, No. 2 and No. 3 receiver for significant stretches," Orlovsky said. "63 percent completion percentage, 3,800 yards and I think he had 20 TDs... So, the guy that people were saying he's the next Joe Burrow, top-five player, all of sudden is out of the top 10. That for me is probably the biggest gripe."

Orlovsky makes some valid points, particularly when referencing Stroud's 2024 performance with his top targets battling through injuries.

The top three receivers on the team (Nico Collins, Tank Dell, Stefon Diggs) missed a total of 19 games because of those injuries. Even with his key targets sidelined and a poor offensive line, Stroud still put up respectable numbers, accounting for the 15th-most passing yards (3,727), per Pro-Football-Reference.

While he did account for 12 interceptions - up from five during his rookie season - he still led Houston to the divisional round of the postseason, where it fell to Mahomes and the Kansas City Chiefs.

Stroud is certainly one of the most talented QBs in the NFL. If he can have a healthy roster surrounding him, he could be primed for a big season and remind everyone why he was considered a top-five player after his rookie season.

Colby Colwell

Colby Colwell is a freelance contributor with a bachelor’s in Computer & Information Technology and a minor in Psychology from Western Kentucky University. With a deep passion for sports, especially NASCAR, he offers his substantial knowledge along with his adept writing skills. When he’s not writing, Colby enjoys traveling, cooking, and spending time with his family

More must-reads: