'Remarkable': Warren Moon Praises Texans QB C.J. Stroud In Strong First Season
Warren Moon knows a thing or two about leading a Houston-based NFL team to the postseason. He did it seven times during his 10 seasons as the face of the Houston Oilers from 1984-1993.
Since his departure, the city has been looking for a long-term answer at the game's most crucial position, especially since the Houston Texans joined the league in 2002. Matt Schaub had a decent stay at the helm in the mid-2000s. Deshaun Watson looked to be the answer before things headed south entering 2021, eventually resulting in a trade the following offseason.
But Houston might have its answer with rookie sensation C.J. Stroud, who capped off his first year with a 23-19 win over the Indianapolis Colts Saturday evening to secure a Texans' playoff berth for the first time since 2019.
Moon, who spoke to the media in Houston while representing Washington at the College Football Playoff national championship, knew Stroud would be different, but even he was blown away by his quick maturation to the pros.
Houston Texans quarterback C.J. Stroud walks off the field at NRG Stadium following a 26-3 win over the Tennessee Titans
Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports
“I thought he was the best pure passer coming into the draft out of all the quarterbacks this past year,” Moon said Saturday prior to the game. “He played in a high-level offense at Ohio State and played against great competition. I didn’t think the transition would be that (difficult), but he’s kind of surprised me with how well he’s done — the way he protects the football, how accurate he has been, how quickly he picked up the offense. And he's playing with all new players, guys you’re learning on the run with."
Stroud was near perfect at Lucas Oil Stadium, going 20-of-26 for 268 yards and two touchdowns. He made his presence felt on the first play, connecting with Nico Collins for a 75-yard touchdown.
Any rookie quarterback can make a highlight pass, but it takes an exceptional talent to secure a win on primetime. Stroud delivered in the fourth quarter, leading Houston on a 12-play, 73-yard drive with two exceptional passes to Collins to set up the eventual game-winning 3-yard touchdown run by Devin Singletary.
"For him to be able to do the things that he’s been able to do in such a short period of time, it’s pretty remarkable for a young player," said Moon.
Stroud, who likely locked up the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year, became the fifth rookie quarterback in league history to throw for 4,000 yards in the regular season, joining Andrew Luck, Justin Herbert, Cam Newton and Jameis Winston.
A Pro Bowl alternate, Stroud finished the regular season completing 64 percent of his passes for 4,108 yards and 23 touchdowns against just five interceptions in 15 games.
The Texans await the results of the Jacksonville-Tennessee game to decide their postseason fate. Should the Jaguars win, Houston would clinch a wild-card spot and either play the Kansas City Chiefs or Buffalo Bills on the road.
Should the Titans win, the Texans would clinch the AFC South and host the Cleveland Browns in the Wild Card Round next week.
