C.J. Stroud is officially the Houston Texans’ starting quarterback.
Texans head coach DeMeco Ryans made it official that the rookie quarterback from Ohio State would be the Week 1 starter for the Texans following their preseason finale against the New Orleans Saints on Sunday night.
CJ7. QB1. pic.twitter.com/K60OmHOFQT
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) August 28, 2023
That decision was one that was expected all along after the Texans selected Stroud with the No. 2 overall pick in this year’s NFL draft. Stroud started all three of the Texans’ preseason games and showed progress over the course of those three games.
While he had a rough debut against the New England Patriots, completing just two of four passing attempts for 13 yards with an interception, he improved by completing seven of 12 passes for 60 yards in the Texans’ second preseason game against the Miami Dolphins. Against New Orleans on Sunday, Stroud played only two series but completed two of four passes for 16 yards and threw his first touchdown as a Texan on a 3-yard play action pass to Nico Collins.
CJ Stroud throws his 1st TD to Nico Collins!
— NFL (@NFL) August 28, 2023
: #HOUvsNO on FOX
: Stream on #NFLPlus https://t.co/624TrfDUF6 pic.twitter.com/FotAW7rSeG
After the game, which the Texans won 17-13, Stroud shared a moment with his former Ohio State wide receiver Chris Olave, who is entering his second year with the Saints.
Its a Buckeye thing.@CJ7STROUD | @chrisolave_ | @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/8ejGQSFjTd
— NFL (@NFL) August 28, 2023
Stroud is now in line to be one of three rookie starting quarterbacks to start in Week 1 this season. The Carolina Panthers have named No. 1 overall pick Bryce Young their starting quarterback while the Indianapolis Colts have done the same with No. 4 overall pick Anthony Richardson. Young, Stroud and Richardson were the only quarterbacks selected in the first round of this year’s NFL draft.
The NFL will now have two starting quarterbacks from Ohio State this year – three if you include Joe Burrow – as Justin Fields enters his third year with the Chicago Bears.
Stroud will make his regular-season debut as the Texans’ starter on Sept. 10 at 1 p.m., when the Texans play the Baltimore Ravens in a game that will be televised regionally by CBS. The game will not be available on network television in Ohio as CBS is scheduled to air the in-state matchup between the Cleveland Browns and Cincinnati Bengals at the same time as Stroud’s debut.
