C.J. Stroud has been the epitome of a perfect teammate, student and quarterback since the Houston Texans drafted him No. 2 overall pick in April of 2023.
Sometimes, perfect doesn’t always mean ideal, which is why offensive coordinator Bobby Slowik has a small request for the reigning Offensive Rookie of the Year.
During a recent appearance on the Green Light podcast with former NFL defensive lineman Chris Long, Slowik praised Stroud’s willingness to go above and beyond past the film room. Since his time at Ohio State, Stroud — as Slowik puts it — has the drive to be “the best at everything.”
That includes making sure he doesn’t make the same mistake twice in a game or practice. Slowik mentioned that Stroud always seems to be studying the tape, going over every minor detail to avoid a major mishap on Sundays.
Safe to say Texans OC Bobby Slowik has high praise for his QB CJ Stroud
pic.twitter.com/uLYuy29o9W
— Green Light with Chris Long (@greenlight) July 25, 2024
“He’ll be up watching film, and this isn’t even game-plan time,” Slowik said. “We’re talking right now in training camp. He’s sending texts to receivers, to coaches, to everybody. From film of clips of how he wants to make some adjustments, things he’s thinking through the course of plays.”
While studying has its perks, so does rest, which is why Slowik offered a word of advice to the still budding star.
“It’s like 11:30 p.m., man,” Slowik joked. “Go to sleep. Go to sleep C.J., come on man.”
Stroud certainly could use a few extra hours of sleep, but he proved he could ball out with little rest in 2023. Last season in 15 games, he threw for over 4,000 yards and led the NFL in touchdown-to-interception ratio, along with passing yards per game.
He also became the youngest passer in NFL history to win a playoff game after securing a 45-14 victory over the Cleveland Browns in the wild-card round. Stroud also was named to the Pro Bowl as an alternate after all of his success.
While the Texans have long-term questions about the franchise, Stroud isn’t one of them. He seems poised to build off a dominant rookie season while guiding Houston to its first potential Super Bowl title starting this fall.
And winning a Lombardi Trophy might be the only way Stroud finally gets a great night’s sleep.