Feb. 27, 2026, 3:41 p.m. CT<\/p>\n
C.J. Stroud<\/a> \u2014 at least for the most part \u2014 has stayed out of the spotlight this offseason following the Houston Texans’<\/a> divisional round loss to the New England Patriots, but everyone has to step outside the house every once and while.<\/p>\n For Stroud, it was on a Thursday night watching a Los Angeles Clippers<\/a> game.<\/p>\n Stroud, who is back in California for the offseason, was seen sitting courtside with Carolina Panthers quarterback Bryce Young,<\/a> watching the Minnesota Timberwolves<\/a> secure another win over the Clippers<\/a>. The two former 2023 draft picks have been friends for years, dating back to their time in high school growing up in the Greater Los Angeles area.<\/p>\n The two young quarterbacks have known each other since middle school, when they\u00a0both played in Snoop Dogg\u2019s youth football league. Young, a Heisman Trophy winner, would go on to start two seasons at Alabama under Nick Saban while Stroud committed to Ohio State, guiding the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff semifinal.<\/p>\n The Texans<\/a> and Panthers<\/a> could be two of the best young teams moving into 2026. Young guided Carolina to its first playoff berth in eight years and nearly defeated the Los Angeles Rams<\/a> in the wild-card round. Stroud, who struggled in the divisional round, once again secured a playoff bid for the Texans, leading them past the Pittsburgh Steelers on Monday night football.<\/p>\n Expert NFL picks: Exclusive betting insights only at USA TODAY.<\/a><\/p>\n