'Just The Beginning!' Lamar Jackson Gave Emotional Pep Talk To C.J. Stroud After Playoff Loss
The Houston Texans have a bright future ahead of them with C.J. Stroud under center at quarterback.
Unfortunately for Houston, Stroud and the rest of their young roster weren't enough to get them past the Divisional Round playoff matchup with the No. 1 seeded Baltimore Ravens, who won going away 34-10 after a dominant second half.
However, Jackson is well aware of the future that lays in front of the Texans with Stroud leading the way.
After the game, Jackson made sure to give a visibly disappointing Stroud a pep talk before he headed to the locker room.
“It’s just the beginning for you, cuz. You feel me?” Jackson said. “You’re gonna be there. You hear me? They’re waiting on you.”
Stroud did everything he could for the Texans on Saturday. However, an elite Ravens defense stymied Houston from getting any sort of offensive attack going.
Nevertheless, nothing can take away the incredible rookie season that Stroud had for the Texans, with the budding superstar finishing with what was arguably the best first season of any quarterback in NFL history.
In 15 games with Houston, Stroud completed 354 of 553 passes (64 percent) for 4,557 passing yards, with 26 passing touchdowns to just five interceptions - all while helping to take a team with a 3-13-1 record from 2022 to a 10-7 record, an AFC South Division title, and a Wild Card Playoff win.
Suffice it to say, Stroud is one of the future cornerstones of both the NFL and the Texans franchise, and Jackson recognizes that as well as anyone.
