Former Buckeyes QB C.J. Stroud Must 'Earn Starting Job' With Texans
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C.J. Stroud wasn't drafted second overall by the Houston Texans to ride the bench as a rookie. He's here to play from the get-go.
Come early September, the expectation at NRG Drive is that Stroud will be commanding the offense for new head coach DeMeco Ryans as Houston looks to kickstart its rebuild into high gear.
Fans want it. Ownership wants it. Everyone internally knows that Stroud is the future.
Still, the future has to be earned throughout the summer leading into training camp. Only then will the former Ohio State gunslinger officially win the title of QB1.
“I think that’s up to him and how he plays and the coaches and how they see him,” Texans CEO/chairman Cal McNair said Monday at the team's annual golf tournament. “He’ll earn his spot, wherever that is. And he’ll feel like he’s earned it. And the team will feel like he’s earned wherever he winds up.”
Stroud, a two-time Heisman finalist and 2022 Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year is familiar with earning starting reps. In 2020, the California native battled with Justin Fields for the nod under Ryan Day but later was relegated to the second-team offense. A year later, once Fields was drafted by the Chicago Bears, Stroud cemented his place as he beat out both Kyle McCord and Jack Miller.
On production alone, Stroud should have enough of a resume to boost his status as the Texans' incumbent starter. In two years, the 6-3 218-pound passer threw for over 8,100 yards and 85 touchdowns while posting a 21-4 record. Stroud also led the Buckeyes to a College Football Playoff appearance against Georgia and saved his best outing for last, throwing for 348 yards and 4 TDs in a 41-40 loss.
"Throughout the entire process, you just continue to grow more and more in love with the guy. He's an outstanding young man," Ryans said Monday. "He's a smart guy, a competitive guy. I'm excited to start working with him."
Nothing is promised in the NFL, especially for quarterbacks. Alabama's Bryce Young, who seemingly was selected with the No. 1 pick by the Carolina Panthers, will not enter minicamp as the team's starter and will have to earn the title from veteran Andy Dalton. Florida's Anthony Richardson, who was selected fourth overall by the Indianapolis Colts, will have to claim the starting nod over veteran Gardner Minshew.
For Stroud, it's a different team but the same story. He'll have to outshine both third-year passer Davis Mills and veteran Case Keenum if he expects to start come Week 1 of the regular season. Mills, the first pick under third-year general manager Nick Caserio's regime, led the NFL in interceptions last season (15) and helped Houston grab the No. 2 pick with a 3-13-1 record.
Confidence isn't the only factor for a successful quarterback, but it's a dominant trait needed for stability early on in a player's career. Stroud's new teammates, including safety Jimmie Ward and offensive lineman Shaq Mason, have seen rookie quarterbacks take the league by storm before the end of their first seasons.
Mason, a two-time Super Bowl champion with the New England Patriots, watched Mac Jones beat out Cam Newton in 2021 and lead the AFC East franchise to a postseason berth. In large part, work ethic in the early stages of practice helped skyrocket Jones' status.
"That’s just kind of how that worked out. Mac (Jones) had a good amount of success his rookie year," Mason told reporters last week. "I think C.J. will have a good amount of success, and I know he’s willing to put the time and effort in.”
Ward, who spent nine seasons in San Francisco, watched both Trey Lance and Brock Purdy start multiple games over the previous two seasons. One was a first-round pick, while the other was named 'Mr. Irrelevant' of the 2022 class.
With Purdy, Ward noticed a relaxed demeanor and poise in the pocket during practice. That confidence and attitude carried over once he was asked to start and game and never wavered throughout the NFC Playoffs.
"If C.J. comes in here and he works … not everybody is like Brock Purdy," said Ward. "If you’re a talker, then talk. Just be yourself. When you come in here, just be yourself. If you talk, talk. If you don’t say anything, don’t. But just work. That’s it. Just grind.”
The Texans begin rookie minicamp Friday before OTAs start up next month. Stroud will start since he's the only rookie quarterback on the roster, but once the entire team reports, it'll be up to Ryan to decide who works with the first and second-team offense.
Ryans said the best man for the job would become the leader of the offense. Is that Stroud? From a production standpoint, there's little reason to doubt otherwise.
From a confidence point of view? Time will tell, beginning Friday in the sweltering Texas heat.
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