Texans Signal Bright Future with Stroud at Command
Heading into his second NFL training camp, C.J. Stroud, the No. 2 overall pick, has firmly planted his roots as the Houston Texans' starting quarterback. The confidence emanating from Stroud is palpable as he prepares to build on a remarkably successful rookie year. "Definitely a little more confident just knowing how training camp works, the reps I'll take," Stroud reflected.
Last season saw Stroud achieve what few have done before. Leading the Texans to an AFC South title and a playoff victory, Stroud set franchise records in passing yards, touchdowns, completions, and attempts. His impressive performance crowned him as the youngest quarterback in NFL history to win a playoff game and earned him the Offensive Rookie of the Year title. "Going with the ones. Last year, I really didn't know that until the very beginning of the regular season," he recalled.
Stroud's maturity and understanding of the game have evolved significantly. He now embraces the additional responsibilities that come with leading an NFL offense. "There's a ton of things. Owning the offense more, the operation. Putting more on my plate with run checks and protection checks, things like that," he explained. This season, Stroud aims to continue setting high standards for his teammates and himself. "Right now it's just trying to not only build the camaraderie but also be a leader with the first team so the second and third and everybody who's watching that this is the standard. It's up to me to set that standard and I have to do that every day," he emphasized.
The Texans, buoyed by their impressive additions in the offseason, have set their sights high for the upcoming season. With the acquisition of star wide receiver Stefon Diggs and dynamic running back Joe Mixon, Houston has bolstered an already potent offense. These new talents enhance their status as favorites to win the AFC South. Stroud highlighted the importance of maintaining focus amidst growing expectations. "The message is just to keep the main thing, the main thing. Of course, we have not only a lot of expectations, we have a lot of big goals on this team. That's how it should be," he said.
For Stroud and his teammates, the ultimate goal is clear: a Super Bowl LIX appearance. Still, Stroud remains grounded in the present moment, understanding the necessity of daily improvements during training camp. "Really you need to be where your feet are. We're in training camp right now. We've got to just execute that and make sure we're taking every day to get better," he noted. "You know, the person that always doubts himself will probably never make it, so you have to have confidence and a goal and a plan and execute that plan."
The Texans' rise, anchored by Stroud's stellar rookie campaign, signals a new era for the franchise. As the team gears up for another season, Stroud's leadership and continued development will be pivotal in their pursuit of further success. "You win, you move on, so that's the goal from start to finish," Stroud stated unequivocally.
With a blend of youth and veteran talent, Houston's trajectory points towards a promising future. The alignment of their aspirations with Stroud's determined mindset creates an electrifying atmosphere surrounding the Texans’ camp. As the NFL season approaches, all eyes will be on Stroud and his team to see if they can turn their ambitious vision into reality.