Simms Prefers Young Over Stroud, But With Caveats

NFL analyst Chris Simms says he'd pick Panthers QB Bryce Young over Texans' CJ Stroud, but has doubts about both quarterbacks' long-term futures.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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NFL analyst Chris Simms said he would currently pick Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young over Houston Texans QB CJ Stroud if he had to extend one of them to a new contract. However, Simms expressed skepticism about both quarterbacks, claiming he "wouldn't feel necessarily great" about Young as the Panthers' long-term answer at QB, while also noting Stroud "really lost his way" towards the end of last season.

Why it matters

The debate over Young and Stroud, who were the top two picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, will continue to be a major storyline as both quarterbacks enter their fourth seasons. The Panthers and Texans will soon have to decide whether to exercise the fifth-year options on their rookie contracts, making Simms' perspective on the two QBs noteworthy.

The details

Simms said he would "go, no-brainer, CJ Stroud" before the 2025 playoffs or end of the regular season, but felt Stroud "really lost his way" down the stretch. While Simms now gives "the edge to Bryce Young", he admitted he "wouldn't sit here and just go, 'Oh, we're just golden at quarterback'" when it comes to the Panthers' signal-caller.

  • Bryce Young and CJ Stroud were the top two picks in the 2023 NFL Draft.
  • The 2025-26 season was the best of Young's career so far, with career highs in passing yards, touchdowns and completion percentage.
  • Stroud's 2025 season saw career-lows in passing yards and touchdowns, though his completion percentage was a career-high.

The players

Bryce Young

The 24-year-old quarterback was the No. 1 overall pick by the Carolina Panthers in the 2023 NFL Draft and is entering his fourth season in the league.

CJ Stroud

The 24-year-old quarterback was the No. 2 overall pick by the Houston Texans in the 2023 NFL Draft and is also entering his fourth season.

Chris Simms

An NFL analyst who appeared on 'The Dan Patrick Show' and shared his perspective on Young and Stroud.

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What they’re saying

“I would have gone, no-brainer, CJ Stroud, before the playoffs or the end of the regular season. It was questionable towards the end of the regular season. I've had people go, 'They think his concussion in the middle part of the year was still affecting him.' He has been in some different offensive systems. But man, [Stroud] really lost his way towards the end of the year...”

— Chris Simms, NFL Analyst (The Dan Patrick Show)

“I sit here now, I guess, giving the edge to Bryce Young – but don't feel necessarily great about that. I mean, I know Carolina went into the year going, 'Hey, we like Young, but we don't have our quarterback yet. We don't really know. We don't think we got the guy.' He played better, definitely. How do [the Panthers] feel about that? I'm sure they feel better, but I wouldn't sit here and just go, 'Oh, we're just golden at quarterback.'”

— Chris Simms, NFL Analyst (The Dan Patrick Show)

What’s next

The Panthers and Texans will soon have to decide whether to exercise the fifth-year options on Young and Stroud's rookie contracts.

The takeaway

The debate over whether Bryce Young or CJ Stroud is the better long-term quarterback option remains unsettled, even as both players enter their fourth NFL seasons. While Chris Simms currently prefers Young, he has doubts about both QBs, highlighting the uncertainty surrounding the futures of the top two picks in the 2023 draft.