'Even Better Man!' Houston Texans Linebacker Blake Cashman Praises C.J. Stroud's Leadership
Whether it be a manifestation of head coach DeMeco Ryans’ influence or general manager Nick Caserio’s wizardry, the Houston Texans got the best out of so many of their young players.
Rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud took little time to get off the ground, immediately thrusting Houston into competitive games and, ultimately, a playoff run.
Quality stretches from depth lineman and two stud receivers certainly helped, but the defense stepped up, too. Linebacker Blake Cashman had the best season of his career in 2023, and it was the kind of boost the Texans needed to complement Stroud’s prowess on the other side of the ball. On Good Morning Football, Cashman spoke about Stroud’s season and the leadership he provides.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud (7) jogs off the field after a 2024 AFC wild card game against the Cleveland Browns at NRG Stadium.
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
“There’s not enough good things you can say about him. He’s just an outstanding player and an even better man,” Cashman said. “Talk about somebody that came in as a rookie, had to be the face of the franchise right away, his leadership was remarkable. He was vocal, he owned the spotlight, he owned the position of being QB1.”
Stroud would eventually win the Offensive Rookie of the Year in dominant fashion, securing 48 of 50 first-place votes. Houston drafted him with the second pick in 2023, and a year later, Arizona – who owns the Texans’ first-round pick – is slated to pick 27th. While it wasn’t singlehandedly, Stroud is undeniably the biggest force in Houston’s ascension.
Few teams can offer the promise that the Texans can in the coming years, especially during Stroud’s rookie contract which allows them to swing big this offseason. How well they perform this offseason could determine their fate as contenders in a tough AFC.
“But the most impressive thing about him was his demeanor and his composure throughout the season,” Cashman said. “He never flinched in the face of adversity, the moment was never too big.
“It’s almost like that Killer Kobe mindset, that Mamba Mentality – no matter what was going on in the game, whether we needed to make a play or keep rolling he was just calm and steady all the way through the game.”
Houston became one of the most exciting teams in football not only for Stroud’s theatrics but because of the moments they came in. The Texans went 7-3 in one-possession games in 2023 and saw a game be decided in the final two minutes just about every time from Week 5 to Week 13.
Even at 0-2, 6-5, and 8-7 – through injuries and upsets and the pressures his performance provided – Stroud kept fighting. Houston went on the road to beat the Indianapolis Colts in a division-clinching Week 18 win.
It’d win a playoff game before the Baltimore Ravens proved to be too much for a Texans team that was as inexperienced as it was exciting.
“I told him after the Baltimore game, I said, ‘You’re the reason why we’re here and you just gotta keep taking each year and elevating your game and you’re gonna be one of the greats. You’re gonna be a Houston Texan for life!’”
Cashman is a free agent this offseason, but the way he speaks of his quarterback spreads optimism that he’ll be back in the middle of Houston’s defense next season as it tries to make the leap to Super Bowl contender.
