C.J. Stroud questions Aaron Rodgers' character and career in bizarre tirade

NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers is unquestionably one of the greatest QBs in NFL history. Rodgers' numbers and accomplishments speak for themselves, but if there has been any criticism leveled against the future Hall of Famer, it has been his overall lack of team success.

While Rodgers has thrived in a playoff setting, he's only managed to win one Super Bowl ring throughout his storied career. Of course, there are a variety of reasons why that's the case, many of which don't have to do with Rodgers, but narratives are a funny thing in the sports world.

Take Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud, for example. Stroud appeared on the “Million Dollaz Worth of Game Podcast” on Sunday, and when asked if he would rather have Rodgers' or Eli Manning's NFL career, the answer was easy for him.

Stroud chose Manning because the longtime New York Giants quarterback has won two rings as compared to Rodgers' one. While that's already a controversial statement, it's what Stroud said after this that made it come across as a bit of a direct shot at the Jets' QB.

C.J. Stroud really doesn't seem to like NY Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers

Stroud threw major shade Rodgers' way when discussing why the four-time MVP might not have won more rings in Green Bay. The reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year suggested Rodgers' lack of leadership might be the cause.

"You know what I think it is. I’ve talked to Tom Brady, about this because he’s a good mentor to me … what he told me is his teammates, and how he treats his teammates. And that’s where I think 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 that's how he got those rings"

- C.J. Stroud

Stroud suggested that Rodgers might not have treated his teammates the same way that someone like Tom Brady did. That's a direct shot at Rodgers' character — it has nothing to do with his on-field performances.

It gets worse. Stroud then went on to insist that Matthew Stafford would have won more rings if he and Rodgers switched places. Stroud believes that Stafford would have found more success in Green Bay than Rodgers did.

"If you give Matthew Stafford a chance like Aaron Rodgers had, I guarantee you he might have had more rings. I think he would have like three or four [rings]."

- C.J. Stroud

Stafford is, of course, a fantastic NFL quarterback who has been criminally underrated throughout his career, but any statement like this isn't based in reality.

Rodgers is statistically one of the best playoff-performing quarterbacks in NFL history. In 22 career playoff games, Rodgers has thrown for 5,894 yards, 45 touchdowns, and just 13 interceptions to go along with a passer rating of over 100.0.

Stafford, on the other hand, has only appeared in eight career playoff games, throwing for 2,463 yards, 15 touchdowns, and six interceptions. There's no reason to believe he would have found more success in Green Bay than Rodgers.

Everyone is entitled to their opinion, and perhaps Stroud's take on Rodgers' career has something to do with the latter's off-field antics. But based strictly on what he's done on the field, Rodgers is undoubtedly one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time.

Rodgers will have an opportunity to prove that firsthand when his Jets take on the Texans on Thursday Night Football in Week 9 this season. Let the revenge narrative begin.