On the eve of the 2023 NFL Draft, I had the opportunity to interview standout quarterback C.J. Stroud, who shared his enthusiasm about his meeting with the Seattle Seahawks. Stroud, a lifelong Seahawks fan, expressed his desire to play for the team, having admired the iconic “Legion of Boom.”
In a conversation with Heavy Sports, Stroud reflected on the meeting, saying, “It went amazing. I grew up a huge Seahawks fan. I loved the Legion of Boom and looked up to Richard Sherman, who is from LA. I really appreciated the organization and what they’re doing.”
Stroud was eventually selected by the Houston Texans with the second overall pick, just three spots ahead of the Seahawks, who picked fifth. He signed a four-year, $36.2 million rookie contract with Houston.
While the Seahawks didn’t technically miss an opportunity to draft Stroud, the question remains whether they should have tried to trade up, given their substantial draft capital. Instead, they chose cornerback Devon Witherspoon and receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba at picks five and twenty, respectively. Both selections seem promising, but franchise quarterbacks are rare finds.
Stroud went on to lead the Texans to an impressive playoff run in his rookie season, earning a Pro Bowl nod. Meanwhile, Seahawks quarterback Geno Smith has started strong in the new offensive system, posting 787 yards, three touchdowns, and three interceptions in his first three games.
As we look back at Stroud’s comments, it’s clear he would have embraced the opportunity to play in Seattle. He noted the Seahawks valued his ability to process plays and his football IQ during their meeting, saying, “They taught me three plays and protections, and I knocked it out of the park.”
What could have been for the Seahawks? Should they have pursued Stroud more aggressively? Let us know your thoughts!