Houston Texans: Rookie QB C.J. Stroud impresses his teammates

May 04, 2023

The Texans' front office and coaching staff have been clear since April 27 about their intentions for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud.

They want him to earn the starting job and know that nothing will be handed to him. Stroud invited that challenge when he arrived. In fact, he asked for it. So on the third day of voluntary offseason workouts open to the media, it should come as no surprise that he ran with the second-team offense Tuesday while Davis Mills, who has started 26 games for the Texans over the past two years, ran with the first team. It's still early in the process, and Stroud is trying to learn the playbook while earning the trust of his teammates and coaches.

So far, the results have been promising. It's been a little more than a month, and Stroud is already making an impression.

"C.J. is bright. His attitude and demeanor are kind of almost understated sometimes," tight end Dalton Schultz said Tuesday. "He walks through pretty humble, head down, soft voice.

"But when you start to interact with him, the kid just oozes confidence. Obviously, everyone is familiar with what he did at Ohio State. The kid is a baller."

Stroud and Alabama's Bryce Young were widely considered the top two quarterbacks coming out of the 2023 draft, with some experts arguing Stroud could have been the No. 1 pick. At Ohio State, he developed a reputation as a pinpoint passer who could make every throw. He threw for 85 touchdowns and only 12 interceptions in his last two seasons as the Buckeyes’ starter. He led his team to last season's College Football Playoff, producing arguably his best game in a 42-41 loss to Georgia, which repeated as national champion.

Meanwhile, after struggling to pass the ball in 2022, the Texans needed to find their future franchise quarterback. That's why they took Stroud at No. 2. (Carolina took Young at No. 1.)

Since his arrival, Stroud's biggest challenge has been playing under center and getting adjusted to an NFL offense.

But in Tuesday's practice, which included individual work, 7-on-7 drills and 11-on-11 play, Stroud looked like an NFL quarterback. He made accurate throws both short and intermediate, demonstrated patience when the initial receiver wasn't open, hit his checkdowns, and didn't make many mistakes.

One of his more impressive sequences happened at the end of practice while he ran the two-minute offense. Stroud completed his first two passes for first downs, then found wide receiver Amari Rodgers open on a drag route for a long touchdown pass. The sequence happened in less than a minute and generated excitement among his teammates.

The coaching staff then spotted the ball at the 5-yard line, and Stroud found Alex Bachman open in the end zone on third-and-5 for a touchdown.

Yes, it's only offseason workouts, and there's no threat of pressure or disguised coverages. But what Stroud has showed has been promising.

"I love the way he's come in and worked," running back Dameon Pierce said. "Obviously, he was our (No. 2) pick, so a lot of expectations on him, but he's handled that very well. He's handled the playbook. He's a quick learner. I’ll say that.

"The only thing I tell him every time I’m on the field with him is to ‘command the huddle and don't shy away from that leadership role. You’ve got guys on the team who are behind you and here to lift you up.' "

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Houston Texans running back Devin Singletary (26) runs a drill during organized team activities on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston.

Former Houston Texans players, from left, Anthony Hill and Charles Spencer visit with head coach DeMeco Ryans during organized team activities on Tuesday, June 6, 2023, at Houston Methodist Training Center in Houston. Several players from the Texans Legends Community attended practice Tuesday.

Coach DeMeco Ryans has shied away from singling out Stroud when talking about the rookies or quarterbacks. When asked specifically about Stroud, he often talks about the quarterback room in general or the group of rookies. He keeps his answers about Stroud short.

"Our entire room of quarterbacks, all three guys, have done a really good job this entire spring," Ryans said. "Davis, C.J. and Case (Keenum) all are competing, all are doing things really well. Things are starting to click with the offense. Guys are moving the ball downfield, so I’m happy with where those guys are and their development."

Mills and Keenum had their moments in Tuesday's practice. Keenum threw a beautiful 40-yard pass to rookie Xavier Hutchinson, who made an over-the-shoulder catch for a first down.

And Mills made some nice throws of his own, with the exception one that was picked off by cornerback Desmond King. Mills, the Texans’ 2021 third-round pick, took over the starting role in 2021 after an injury to then-starter Tyrod Taylor while Deshaun Watson sat out a full season.

Mills had to come in under dire circumstances and wasn't surrounded with many pieces during his two years at quarterback.

"I’m competing for that starting job," Mills said recently. "Since I’ve been drafted in the NFL I’ve been in a competition. I don't think anything is going to change. It's been great getting to know C.J. so far. He's an extremely hard worker, and it will be good to see how we go out there every day and make each other better."

But it's only a matter of time before Stroud earns the starting role. The Texans didn't invest the No. 2 pick in him, then trade their 2024 first- and third-round picks just to have Stroud sit on the bench his first year. The expectation was that through his skills and play this offseason, he would usurp both Mills and Keenum.

On Tuesday, that showed. One of his best throws was an intermediate pass to rookie receiver Jesse Matthews. It was thrown in traffic but on the money. Stroud was able to move in the pocket and avoid would-be pass rushers — something scouts had questions about as he came out of college.

After three weeks of the voluntary offseason team activities, the Texans will begin their mandatory minicamp next week. Training camp will begin in late July. That's when the battle for positions begins.

And even though Stroud was running with the twos in this practice, it doesn't mean he’ll be running with them for long.

"He throws a nice ball, and so far he has been soaking up everything he can from all the offensive coaches in the room," said Schultz, who will likely be one of Stroud's primary targets this season. "I think the kid has a bright future ahead of him."