Rifling passes, C.J. Stroud plays the game with pinpoint accuracy and an innate understanding of how to defeat defensive schemes designed to curtail his impact.
His elusiveness is an underrated trait, overshadowed by the velocity of his throws, timing and chemistry with his receivers.
He’s off to a historic start to his young NFL career.
Just four games into his second season, the strong-armed two-time Heisman Trophy finalist from Ohio State and Texans' Pro Bowl quarterback already owns an NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year trophy and shares an all-time single-season record with Tom Brady and Joe Montana in an exclusive fraternity as the only players ever to lead the league in passing yards per game and touchdown-to-interception ratio.
Stroud has won 12 of his first 19 starts and has completed 64.7 percent of his throws for 5,162 yards, 29 touchdowns and just seven interceptions for a 100.3 passer rating.
The only quarterbacks with eight games of two touchdowns and zero interceptions at age 22 in NFL history are Stroud and Baltimore Ravens NFL MVP quarterback Lamar Jackson.
Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images
“Amazing, great player, great all-around person,” retired Texans wide receiver and newly-minted Pro Football Hall of Fame inductee Andre Johnson told KPRC 2. “From the time I’ve gotten to know him and spend some time with him, I tell people all the time he’s only going to get better and better. He’s a very hard worker, loves the game of football, works at his craft very hard. The kid is only going to get better and better. So, I’m excited about the future for him.”
Stroud surpassed Kansas City Chiefs star quarterback Patrick Mahomes to set an NFL record with the most passing yards in his first 10 career home games, including the postseason. Stroud has passed for 3,106 yards in his first 10 home games, passing Mahomes’ mark of 3,011 yards in that span.
Away from football, Stroud is a deeply spiritual young man devoted to philanthropy through his charitable foundation with his family and is extremely involved in the Houston community.
A team captain known for his leadership skills and generosity, Stroud celebrated his 23rd birthday Thursday. It’s almost hard to fathom what Stroud has already accomplished and to contemplate what his future holds.
“I can only imagine, I think all of us think back to what we were doing when we were 23 and it is not what C.J. is going through and living right now,” Texans offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik said. “It is really cool to have the relationship we have and to know the person, C.J. Stroud, and what he is about and how he lives that every day. That is even regardless of football.
“The human he is, outside this building to other people and how much he cares about other people and the kindness in his heart is, really, for a 23-year-old and the position he is in, is really incredible. I am just fired up that we get to keep rolling.”
After leading the Texans to an AFC South championship as a rookie last year as he passed for 4,108 yards, 23 touchdowns and five interceptions and winning one playoff game, Stroud is off to an encouraging start to this season.
The Texans are 3-1 heading into Sunday’s litmus test of a game against the 3-1 Buffalo Bills, a perennial AFC East champion and playoff team.
Stroud is coming off a strong performance, delivering the game-winning touchdown pass against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the final minute on a pass to running back Dare Ogunbowale.
He completed 27 of 40 passes for season-high 345 yards, two touchdowns and zero interceptions for a 110.9 passer rating. He has five career games with at least 300 yards, two touchdowns and no interceptions, tying him with Patrick Mahomes for the second-most through his first 20 games in NFL history, one less game than Los Angeles Chargers quarterback Justin Herbert.
“Seven is special,” said Texans wide receiver Nico Collins, who caught 12 passes for 151 yards and one touchdown against the Jaguars and is the NFL receiving yardage leader with 489 yards. “He’s the type of dude that’s always looking down the field and always finding open guys. I feel like whenever the play is over, it’s not really over.
“Just finding the open guy for him, and he’s going to make a play. He’s a playmaker. We put our trust in him and he trusts us. I feel like that’s what it really comes down to. We’ve got his back.”
Stroud showed patience and an eye for the game when he went through his progressions to check down to Ogunbowale for a 31-yard catch-and-run.
“The play with C.J. and Dare was a really nice play by C.J.,” Texans coach DeMeco Ryans said. “It does show the growth where he wasn’t trying to force a pass that wasn’t there. He wasn’t trying to force an explosive. When the guys were playing too high, and it wasn’t there he was able to take the checkdown. We see what Dare was able to do to with the ball in his hands. It shows growth and C.J. continues to grow each and every week. I am proud of where he is and the growth he has shown.”
It’s that kind of decision-making that makes the difference in football games.
“I think you’re right,” Stroud said. “We were trying to make a play, but they did a good job taking that away. And younger C.J. would’ve probably still tried to chuck it down the field to fit in a window. But, yeah, I just took the checkdown, trusted in Dare and he made a heck of a play. So, I’m trying to grow on my game as well, just like anybody else. Just week by week, take what the defense gives me. I feel like I’m definitely getting better and just being more mature. I’m trusting in my guys, as well, while I’m doing that.”
A year removed from an electric first season punctuated by leading the Texans to a division title, Stroud is continuing to grow his dynamic game in his second NFL season.
Teammates see a difference in Stroud, an even better Stroud.
“Absolutely,” veteran guard Shaq Mason said. “He came in a with a mindset to just get better every day, that one percent. He spread that around the team.”
And that involves more than just ability to play the game of football.
For Slowik and Stroud, distributing the football in a way to maximize yards, field position, points and winning games is their primary task.
Together, they want to maximize the opportunity.
And Stroud is more than capable of processing what the defensive schemes are and delivering the football into tight areas for difficult throws or simply taking what’s there and hitting most open man on the field.
Although the expectations and ambitions of the Texans have expanded exponentially, that doesn’t necessarily change the approach of Stroud. Mature, composed and ultra-confident in his abilities, which include outstanding arm strength, accuracy, intellect and clutch performance, Stroud is well aware that teams will be coming after the Texans and they definitely won’t sneak up on anyone this season.
“It’s not going to be easy, it’s going to be harder,” Stroud said. “We have a target on our back this year. That’s how you should want it and that’s what I’m used to playing at Ohio State. I definitely do think that all the expectations, we just work, everything will take care of itself. The story is already written.”
As Collins sees the situation, it’s all about improvement and continuing to build the momentum and confidence gained last season.
Stroud sets the tone for that mood.
The maturity of Stroud and his work ethic are major pluses for the entire organization. They have their quarterback of the present and future in place for years to come.
“He’s always had a good attitude,” Texans general manager Nick Caserio said. “He’s always got a good work ethic and highly confident in himself. I think in the offseason he may experiment with some different techniques or some different things that maybe can help you as a player. So, from the day he’s walked in the building, he’s had a good approach. He’s a talented player. He’s a good player.”.
As Stroud goes, so goes the outlook of the football team.
While he’s being counted on heavily to duplicate or improve upon last year, the Texans couldn’t have much more confidence in his ability to compartmentalize all of the responsibilities and mantle of leadership.
Stroud won the Pro Football Writers of America annual Media Good Guy award. He had already been recognized by the Houston chapter for his cooperation and candor with the media who cover him on a daily basis. Stroud has displayed the same personality and work habits ever since he arrived in Houston.
His jersey is the top seller in all licensed NFL merchandise.
“I would say the C.J. you’re getting is the C.J. that’s always been here,” Stroud said. “I don’t plan on changing no time soon. Of course, had some success, but I always remember how quick they love you is how quick they hate you. So, I’m head down, working, tunnel vision on just my goals and these team goals we have.
“Walking around the street, I get a little more recognition and people noticing me, but I just try to show love. Let people know I’m a normal person that just plays football on TV sometimes. I think I’m pretty normal, but I’m blessed to be this man for sure.”
The Texans have a high-profile matchup against the Bills and their star quarterback Josh Allen.
That isn’t Stroud’s focus, though. He’s determined to win the game and improve the Texans’ record to 4-1 overall.
“Not really,” Stroud said when asked if he’s thinking about the matchup against Allen. “I mean, I’m a big fan of his. Really respect him. Met him this offseason, told him just a lot of respect for what he does. Heck of a football player but, of course, yeah, my competitive nature is I want to win my one-on-one.
“But it’s not an added juice or anything. It’s just another week trying to go 1-0 versus myself. I think whenever I get in my own way is when I play bad or when I don’t play as great as I can. But when I’m focusing on what I’ve got going on, then that’s when I do well. So, I’m just going to focus on me, focus on the Texans and my team and doing well for myself.”
Aaron Wilson is a contributor to Sports Talk 790.
Photo: Tim Warner / Getty Images Sport / Getty Images