CJ Stroud offers response to Houston Texans refusing to name him starting QB
The Houston Texans are yet to name CJ Stroud as their starting quarterback for the upcoming regular season - but the rookie is unconcerned.
Selected second overall in the 2023 NFL Draft, Stroud immediately took reps leading the projected starters in training camp and reportedly impressed in two-minute drills after taking over from third-year quarterback Davis Mills. However, he struggled against the New England Patriots in preseason, cooling fans' expectations.
While most franchises have named their starting quarterback for the new season, the Texans have held fire. For many, this could be seen as odd given it is likely Stroud will be handed the keys to the kingdom sooner rather than later. Ultimately, the former Ohio State Buckeye is trusting the process - and head coach DeMeco Ryans. On Wednesday, Ryans declined to name the starter for the opening day against the Baltimore Ravens, but Stroud is willing to wait.
“I ain't tripping,” Stroud said. “I just do what's on my plate. I'm not worried about anybody else's plate. I got to focus on what we got going on in this locker room. And just getting better every day. “It's not about any of that stuff. It's about competing every day and just getting better. That's not my job. My job is to go out there and play. I got the fun stuff to do.”
Ryans declared there would be a quarterback competition going into training camp between Mills, who led the team in 2021 and 2022, and Stroud. However, Stroud has exclusively led the first-team offense through training camp and two preseason games while Mills was handed the second team.
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The rookie started against the Miami Dolphins and the New England Patriots and will also start the finale against the New Orleans Saints. Against the Dolphins and Pats, Mills played 50 snaps and completed 55 percent of his passes for 193 yards with a touchdown; Stroud played six series, competing 56 percent of passes for 73 yards and an interception.
CJ Stroud has started two preseason games for the Houston Texans: the 20-9 win over the New England Patriots and the 28-3 defeat to the Miami Dolphins (Getty Images)Ryans seemingly wants to keep opponents on their toes, suggesting fans will ‘see our starters’ when the Texans travel to Baltimore to face the Ravens on 10 September. Stroud is expected to take over from Mills officially in Week 1, but Texans staff are hoping the uncertainty and competition will bring the best out of the quarterbacks.
“They all have steps they can take,” Houston offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “They all have places they can go with their game that they haven't quite got to yet to be more efficient and just cleaner with the operation and with the footwork and some little things like that. We'll just keep grinding through that.”
Stroud finished his college career with 8,123 passing yards, 85 touchdowns and 12 interceptions along with a 69.3 completion rate. He will hope to lead the Texans to a first AFC South title since 2019.
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