C.J. Stroud Vs. The World: Who Gets Credit for Texans QB Competition?
HOUSTON — Houston Texans' coach DeMeco Ryans made it clear from the start of OTAs that Davis Mills and C.J. Stroud will compete for the starting quarterback job in 2023.
Mills took first-team reps at the start of OTAs in May. But by the end of mandatory minicamp a month later, Stroud took the lead as the presumed starter.
Ryans has been pleased by the production he has seen from his quarterbacks ahead of training camp, and he has credited offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik and position coach Jerrod Johnson for their early success.
"Things are starting to click with the offense," Ryans said. "Guys are moving the ball downfield, so I’m happy with where those guys are and their development.
"I think that’s a credit to the coaches – Coach Jerrod [Johnson] and Bobby [Slowik] have done a really good job of working with those guys and they are continuing to get better every day and I’m excited to see their improvement and growth."
Before his hiring in February, a source described Slowik as a "bright young coach who would be good for the Texans." But more importantly, the source credited Slowik for the success the San Francisco 49ers had under rookie quarterback Brock Purdy last season.
In the eight games Purdy started before losing in the NFC Championship game to the Philadelphia Eagles, he threw for an average of 234.8 yards, 14 touchdowns, and two interceptions. As the 49ers' starting quarterback, Purdy led San Francisco to a 7-1 record.
Slowik joined the 49ers as the team's defensive quality control coach in 2017. The Niners then elevated Slowik to offensive assistant in 2019. Two years later, he took the helm as San Francisco's offensive pass game specialist before the 2022 season.
Johnson's arrival in Houston comes a year after he worked as the assistant quarterbacks coach of the Minnesota Vikings during the 2022 campaign.
Kirk Cousins had one of his best seasons working alongside Johnson. While leading the Vikings to a 13-4 record, Cousins completed 65.9 percent of his passes for 4,547 yards, 29 touchdowns and 14 interceptions.
Ryans will be tasked with a difficult job when naming Houston's starting quarterback for the 2023 campaign. But working alongside Slowik and Johnson will result in the Texans having better quarterback play next season, whether Mills or Stroud.
"I'm still competing for that starting job," Mills said. "Since I was drafted into the NFL I've been in a competition. I don't think anything is going to change. It's been great to get to know C.J. He's a great guy."
You can follow Coty M. Davis on Twitter at @CotyDavis_24
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