The Houston Texans’ preseason opener against the Kansas City Chiefs was a disappointment for rookie quarterback C.J. Stroud. After being selected in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft, Stroud was expected to make an immediate impact for the Texans, but he struggled in his debut.
Stroud completed just four of his nine pass attempts for a total of 27 yards. He was sacked twice and threw an interception on the final drive of the game. His performance was a stark contrast to that of fellow rookie quarterback Davis Mills, who completed 10 of his 15 pass attempts for 115 yards and a touchdown.
Despite the poor performance, Stroud remains confident in his ability to contribute to the team. He said after the game, “I know I can do better than I showed tonight, and I’m going to work hard to make sure I do.”
The Texans’ coaching staff is also confident in Stroud’s potential. Head coach David Culley said, “C.J. is a talented young quarterback and we believe in him. We know he’s going to get better with more reps and experience, and we’re excited to see what he can do for us this season.”
Stroud will have another chance to prove himself in the Texans’ next preseason game against the Arizona Cardinals. He will be looking to show that he can be a reliable backup to starter Deshaun Watson and provide the team with a spark when needed.
It’s still early in Stroud’s career, and he has plenty of time to develop into a quality quarterback. The Texans are confident that he can be an asset for them this season, and they will be hoping he can bounce back from his preseason opener struggles and show what he is capable of.